Map of Sweden Counties
Sweden is divided into 21 counties (län), serving as the primary administrative regions responsible for healthcare, public transportation, and regional planning. These counties range from the vast Norrbotten in the north to the small island county of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. Use the interactive maps below to explore Sweden's counties and their boundaries. Download free maps or learn more about creating a custom map of Sweden to visualize your own data.
Interactive Map of Sweden Counties
List of Counties (21)
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Sweden Counties: Key Facts
- Total number of counties: 21 (known as län in Swedish)
- Most populous county: Stockholm County, home to the capital city Stockholm
- Least populous county: Gotland County, an island in the Baltic Sea
- Largest county by area: Norrbotten County at 98,244 km² (37,924 sq mi)
- Smallest county by area: Blekinge County at 2,946 km² (1,137 sq mi)
- Major urban centers: Stockholm County (Stockholm, capital), Skåne County (Malmö), Västra Götaland County (Gothenburg)
- Capital location: Stockholm, located in Stockholm County
- Bordering countries and waters: Norway (west), Finland (east across Gulf of Bothnia), Denmark (south across Øresund Strait), Baltic Sea (east and south), Kattegat (southwest)
- Time zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1; CEST UTC+2 in summer)
- Boundary history: Current boundaries largely stable since the late 20th century; Skåne County formed in 1997 and Västra Götaland County in 1998 through mergers
Interesting Facts
- Jämtland County covers 12% of Sweden's total territory, making it the third-largest county in the country.
- Sweden's counties originated from historical subdivisions dating back centuries. Norrland County was divided in 1645 into Västerbotten, Hudiksvall, and Härnösand Counties.
- Counties are grouped into eight Riksområden (National Areas) for EU statistics purposes, such as Upper Norrland (Norrbotten and Västerbotten) and South Sweden (Skåne and Blekinge).
- Gotland County is unique as Sweden's only island county, located in the Baltic Sea with air links to Stockholm.
- Proposals for further county mergers were discussed as recently as 2016, but Stockholm County has resisted integration with neighboring regions.
Free Downloads
You can download free blank Map of Sweden Counties and other maps in high resolution PNG, SVG and PDF formats from the blank maps section of the site: Download Blank Map of Sweden Counties
Custom Map Features
This map supports labels.
This map is divided into 21 counties.
Updates
Jun 30, 2025:
- Added Map of Sweden Counties with labels
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweden has 21 counties, known as län in Swedish. These administrative regions are responsible for healthcare, public transportation, and regional planning. The number has varied historically due to divisions and mergers, with the most recent changes occurring in 1997 (Skåne County) and 1998 (Västra Götaland County).
Norrbotten County is the largest county in Sweden at 98,244 km² (37,924 sq mi). Located in the far north of the country, it borders both Norway and Finland. Jämtland County is the third-largest, covering 12% of Sweden's total territory.
Blekinge County is the smallest county in Sweden at 2,946 km² (1,137 sq mi). It is located in southern Sweden and is grouped with Skåne County in the South Sweden statistical region for EU purposes.
Stockholm County is the most populous county in Sweden. It contains the capital city Stockholm, which serves as the national capital and economic hub. The county is home to landmarks including the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan (the old town).
Stockholm (capital, Royal Palace, Gamla Stan) is in Stockholm County. Malmö, Sweden's third-largest city with the Turning Torso skyscraper, is in Skåne County. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Visby with its medieval walls is in Gotland County, and the Falun Mine UNESCO site is in Dalarna County.
You can use Ultimaps to create custom maps of Sweden. Color-code counties manually or upload your data, place pins, customize the look and feel, and export to PNG, PDF, or SVG. No sign-up required.
Swedish counties are called län (singular and plural). The term has been used for centuries, with the current county system evolving from historical subdivisions. For example, Södermanland County was formed in 1683 from the union of Nyköping, Gripsholm, and Eskilstunahus Counties.
Several Swedish counties share borders with neighboring countries. Counties in western Sweden border Norway, while Norrbotten County in the north borders Finland across the Gulf of Bothnia. Southern counties like Skåne are close to Denmark across the Øresund Strait.
Gotland County is Sweden's least populous county and the only island county. Located in the Baltic Sea, it features the UNESCO World Heritage site of Visby with its well-preserved medieval walls. The island has air links connecting it to Stockholm on the mainland.
