Editing Hisingen

{{Short description|Island of Sweden}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Hisingen
| image_name       = Eriksberg.JPG
| image_caption    = [[Eriksberg, Gothenburg|Eriksberg]] on the northern bank of the [[Göta älv]] river where housing areas have replaced the shipyards.
| image_size       = 250px
| map = Sweden
| map_caption = 
| native_name      = 
| native_name_link = 
| nickname         = 
| location         = [[Kattegat]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|57|46|N|11|53|E|display=inline}}
| archipelago      = 
| total_islands    = 
| major_islands    = 
| area_km2         = 198.84
| area_footnotes   = <ref name=scb>{{cite web |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/_publikationer/OV0904_2011A01_BR_02_A01BR1101.pdf |title=Statistisk årsbok 2011 |publisher=[[Statistics Sweden]] |language=sv |page=12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113135944/http://www.scb.se/statistik/_publikationer/OV0904_2011A01_BR_02_A01BR1101.pdf |archive-date=13 January 2012 |access-date=5 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| length_km        =
| width_km         =
| highest_mount    = 
| elevation_m      =
| country          = Sweden
| country_admin_divisions_title     = County
| country_admin_divisions           = [[Västra Götaland County]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1   = Municipality
| country_admin_divisions_1         = [[Gothenburg Municipality]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_2   = 
| country_admin_divisions_2         = 
| country_largest_city              = 
| country_largest_city_population   = 
| population       = 130,000
| population_as_of = 
| density_km2      = 628.14
| ethnic_groups    = 
| additional_info  =
}}

'''Hisingen''' ({{IPA|sv|ˈhîːsɪŋɛn}})<ref>{{cite book|url=https://runeberg.org/ortnamn/0015.html|author1=Jöran Sahlgren|author2=Gösta Bergman|title=Svenska ortnamn med uttalsuppgifter|language=sv|year=1979|page=11}}</ref> is the fifth-largest [[Islands of Sweden|island]] of Sweden (after [[Gotland]], [[Öland]], [[Södertörn]] and [[Orust]]),<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2013|title=Islands in Sweden 2013|url=http://www.scb.se/Statistik/MI/MI0812/2013A01K/MI0812_2013A01K_SM_MI50SM1402.pdf|journal=MI50 - Coast and Shores|via=Statistics Sweden}}</ref> with an area of {{convert|199|km2|abbr=on}}. It is a [[river island]], formed by the [[river bifurcation|split]] of the [[Göta Älv]] at [[Bohus Fortress|Bohus]], and is defined to the east and south by the main arm of that river, to the north by the smaller arm (known as the Nordre Älv), and to the west by the [[Kattegat]]. The southern part of Hisingen is extensively [[urbanised]], representing the northern suburbs of the city of [[Gothenburg]]. The island is divided between the [[Provinces of Sweden|historical provinces]] of [[Västergötland]] and [[Bohuslän]], but lies entirely within the [[Counties of Sweden|modern county]] of [[Västra Götaland County|Västra Götaland]].

According to the 2023 census, the island of Hisingen in Sweden has a population of 176,047, making it the second most populous island in Sweden, after [[Södermalm]] but before [[Gotland]].

For a brief, post-war period Hisingen was home to the largest shipbuilding centre in the world, but all three yards closed in 1979. Hisingen is home to both the [[Volvo Group]] and the now separate [[Volvo Cars]]. Most of the Nordic countries' largest port, the [[Port of Gothenburg]] is also located on Hisingen.

==Etymology==
The etymology of the name ''Hisingen'' is disputed. ''Hísing'' makes its first appearance in 13th century Icelandic sources; ''Hisingen'' is dated back to 1399.

The basic meaning of the [[prefix]] ''His''- is "to split, cut off" and can be found in the placenames ''[[Hisøy]]'' and ''[[Hisön]]''. Hence, the name can be interpreted as "the island cut off from the mainland".<ref>''Göteborg'', ed. Jan Jonasson, "Ortnamn", fil dr Hugo Karlsson, STF-landskapsserie, Esselte, Nacka 1978 ISSN 0347-6081  s.303</ref><ref>''Älvsborgs län - historia i gränsbygd'', ed. Mimi Håkansson, "Häradsnamnen", fil dr Hugo Karlsson, Länsstyrelsen i Älvsborgs län, Risbergs Tryckeri, Uddevalla 1997 {{ISBN|91-86832-09-3}} s.82-83</ref><ref>''Bohusläns forntid'', Carl-Axel Moberg, Göteborg 1963 s.13</ref><ref>''Mal og Minne'', Oddvar Nes, Oslo 1974 s.53</ref>

==History==
{{See also|History of Gothenburg|History of Västergötland|History of Bohuslän}}

The [[Tumlehed rock painting]] and remains of ancient settlements prove that Hisingen was inhabited by the year 9000 BC.<ref name="upphis">{{cite book|title=Upptäck Hisingen!|year=2008|publisher=Göteborg : Göteborgs stadsmuseum|isbn=978-91-85488-97-1|pages=2 + 118|editor1=Einar Hansson |editor2=Sanja Peter |editor3=Claes Caldenby }}</ref>

During the [[Middle Ages]], the Göta Älv represented the frontier between the [[Kingdom of Norway]] and the [[Kingdom of Sweden]], with the [[river island]] of Hisingen being divided between the two realms. The division was not equal, with only the southern quarter of the island (comprising [[Lundby, Gothenburg|Lundy]] and [[Tuve, Sweden|Tuve]] parishes) belonging to Sweden while the remainder (Rödbo, Säfve, [[Backa, Gothenburg|Backa]], Björlanda and [[Torslanda]] parishes) was Norwegian.<ref>[https://runeberg.org/hgsl/3/0345.html Hisingen] in ''Historiskt-geografiskt och statistiskt lexikon öfver Sverige'', volume 3 (Stockholm, 1862), p-342</ref><ref>[https://runeberg.org/rosenberg/1/0712.html] in ''Geografiskt-statistiskt handlexikon öfver Sverige'', volume 1 (Stockholm 1882-3), p.708</ref>

It was on Hisingen that the first town with the name [[Gothenburg]] existed. It was founded by king [[Charles IX of Sweden|Charles IX]] in 1607 on the southern shore of Hisingen, at [[Färjenäs, Gothenburg|Färjenäs]]. It was inhabited mostly by Dutch merchants, enticed to settle there by favourable economic conditions. However, the town was completely destroyed by the Danes in 1611, during the [[Kalmar War]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Ralph|last=Scander|location=Gothenburg|publisher=Göteborgs hembygdsförb.|series=Göteborg förr och nu, 0348-2189; 10|title=Karl IX:s Göteborg på Hisingen: en holländsk koloni med svenskt medborgarskap|year=1975}}</ref>

Under the 1658 [[Treaty of Roskilde]], the Norwegian province of [[Bohuslän]] was ceded to Sweden, thereby uniting Hisingen under Swedish control, although the old border was preserved in the division between the districts of {{ill|Västra Hisings härad|sv|Västra Hisings härad}} (the formerly Norwegian area) and {{ill|Östra Hisings härad|sv|Östra Hisings härad}}.<ref>[https://runeberg.org/hgsl/3/0345.html Hisingen] in ''Historiskt-geografiskt och statistiskt lexikon öfver Sverige'', volume 3 (Stockholm, 1862), p-342</ref><ref>[https://runeberg.org/rosenberg/1/0712.html] in ''Geografiskt-statistiskt handlexikon öfver Sverige'', volume 1 (Stockholm 1882-3), p.708</ref>

The island was mostly farmland until the 19th century, when [[industrialization]] began and companies like [[Arendalsvarvet]], [[Eriksbergs Mekaniska Verkstads AB|Eriksberg]], [[Götaverken]] and [[Lindholmens varv|Lindholmen]] started operating there. For most of the 20th century, until the shipyard crisis in the 1970s, the island was the focus for Swedish shipbuilding.

The [[Volvo]] car manufacturer has its roots on Hisingen; it was there that their first factory was located and the first car, the [[Volvo ÖV 4]], was produced in 1927.<ref name="volvo">{{cite web | url=http://www.volvo.com/group/global/en-gb/Volvo+Group/history/history.htm | title=The Volvo history | access-date=2010-12-30 | publisher=Volvo Group Global | archive-date=2009-10-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022223128/http://www.volvo.com/group/global/en-gb/volvo+group/history/history.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref> Today, the company still has its main office and production facilities on the island. The [[Volvo Museum]] is also located nearby.

Over the last 20 years, the northern bank of Göta älv has undergone major expansion. Residential areas, university buildings and high tech industry have largely replaced the shipyards.

==Geography==
[[File:Ramberget.jpg|thumbnail|right|[[Ramberget]] as seen from the [[Göta älv Bridge]].]]
The island has a diverse landscape with coasts, farms and forests. The biggest forest area is [[Hisingsparken]], which is also the largest park in Gothenburg. [[Rya skog]], a smaller forest and a [[nature reserve]], is located in the south of Hisingen.

[[Ramberget]], an 87 m hill, is a well-known landmark. It is part of Keiller's Park, which was established in 1908 and covers an area of over 31 hectares. From the top of the hill, which can be reached by car, there is a wide view of the whole city.

==Administration==
All of the island belongs to [[Gothenburg Municipality]]. It is divided up into three [[Boroughs and districts of Gothenburg|boroughs]]:<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://goteborg.se/wps/portal/start/kommun-o-politik/kommunens-organisation/namnder/stadsdelsnamnder/!ut/p/z1/hY6xDoIwGISfhrV_QaWtWx0wAhE0GrGLAVMLCVBSqk18enE00Xjb5b7LHQgoQPTlo1GlbXRftpM_i_CS-_GOrnyOszWL8OaQ5NE2SbP9kcDpHyCmGP8QxxCDaKoOuWuHMAqCBaEBZYySOWUhI-993lczqkAYeZNGGnQ3063a2mFcetjDzjmktFatRKP08LdGrUcLxQcIQ1c8U3niL8hvetM!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ | title=Stadsdelsnämnder}}</ref>
* Norra Hisingen (Northern Hisingen)
* Västra Hisingen (Western Hisingen)
* [[Lundby, Gothenburg|Lundby]]

==Transport==
The island is linked to the mainland by several bridges, including the [[Hisingsbron|Hisingen Bridge]], the [[Älvsborg Bridge]], and the [[Tingstadstunneln]] motorway tunnel (a second motorway tunnel is also planned). A number of bus routes, as well as [[Gothenburg tram|tram]] lines 5, 6 10 and 13, connect the island to central Gothenburg.

[[Gothenburg City Airport]] (Gothenburg's second international airport after [[Göteborg Landvetter Airport|Landvetter]]) is located at [[Säve]] in the northern part of Hisingen.

==Ranking in the list of Sweden's largest islands==
In 2014 [[Statistics Sweden]] declared it to instead be the fifth largest island, under a definition which adds artificial canals to the possible bodies of water surrounding an island. It has been noted that under this definition, all of [[Götaland]] would be the country's largest island, rendering Hisingen instead the sixth largest.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gistedt |first=Karin |date=15 December 2014 |title=Orust inte längre trea i landet |url=http://bohuslaningen.se/nyheter/orust/1.3648257-orust-inte-langre-trea-i-landet |newspaper=[[Bohusläningen]] |language=sv |location=[[Uddevalla]] |access-date=26 September 2015 }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Port of Gothenburg]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.alvstranden.com/ The homepage of the "northern river bank" project]
*[https://hisingen.se/ Hisingen]

{{coord|57|46|N|11|53|E|region:SE_type:isle|display=title}}

{{Gothenburg}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hisingen| ]]
[[Category:Gothenburg]]
[[Category:Islands of Västra Götaland County]]
[[Category:Islands on the Swedish West Coast]]