Sundsvall, Sweden
Tourism

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for cultural events.

Sundsvall is located by two rivers, the Indalsälv and the Ljunga. The valley's of the rivers have a luxuriant flora, and the Indalsälv forms Sweden's largest delta, which is one of its many features of geological interest. Sundsvall is one of the most important ports and commercial towns in the northern countries. It lies at the mouth of the Selångerå between two hills, the Norra and Södra Stadsberg. The layout of the old town was the work of Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, but much of the town was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1888, only the district of Norrmalm remaining unscathed. Thereafter the town was rebuilt in stone, with wide streets, and became known as Stenstaden, the "Stone Town".

Economy

Thanks to its excellent situation and to trade routes to the west which ran through this area Sundsvall was an important trading settlement as early as the sixth century. The town received its municipal charter from Gustavus Adolphus in 1624. A period of some prosperity began in the 19th century, when numerous sawmills were established here: at times there were no fewer than 40 operating on the offshore island of Alnö alone. Sundsvall now has an oil terminal and is an important woodworking and papermaking center.