Vasteras is a city in central Sweden, located on the shore of Lake Mälaren in the province Västmanland, some 100 km west of Stockholm. The city has a population of 107,005 inhabitants (2005) out of the municipal total of 132,000.
Vasteras is one of the oldest cities in Sweden and Northern Europe. The name originates from Västra Aros, which refers to the estuary of the river Svartån. The area has been populated since the Nordic Viking Age, before 1000 AD. At the beginning of the 11th century it was the second largest city in Sweden, and by the 12th century had become the seat of the bishop.
In the ensuing centuries a cathedral and a monastery were built. The first City Arms date from the end of the 13th century.
Vasteras is predominantly known as an industrial city, but is also a retailing and logistics city. Vasteras wants to distinguish itself as Vasteras - Mälarstaden, which means "Vasteras -- the city by Lake Mälaren", in order to attract tourists and new inhabitants, as well as students to the local university college, Mälardalen University (approximately 16,000 enrolled students in Vasteras and in the nearby Eskilstuna). To this effect, they are using a designed logo as a branding in some official contexts, replacing the coat of arms. Vasteras has the largest lakeside port in Scandinavia on Lake Mälaren. Vasteras also has a skyscraper cordially nicknamed "Skrapan" (English: The Scraper) which has Sweden's highest cocktail bar, the Sky Bar on the 24th floor. Vasteras hosts Power Big Meet, an annual event where owners of typically high powered American cars can meet.
n 1891, the Turbine House, a small hydroelectric dam was built on Svartån, in central Vasteras. This early electrification encouraged ASEA, a large electricity equipment manufacturer, to concentrate its operations in Vasteras, shifting focus away from Arboga. Later, after a merger with BBC Brown Boveri, ASEA became ABB. As a result, Vasteras became its de facto Swedish capital.
There, it is situated mainly at the Mimer Complex in the city centre with production facilities in Finnslätten and Saltängen.
Other major industries include transportation like Bombardier with several distribution centers, copper smiths Outokumpu Copper and IT.
One of the historical reasons that made Vasteras a city is its trading-friendly location by the river Svartån and lake Mälaren. The city remains one of the main logistical centers in Sweden due to its central location in the densely populated region Mälardalen and favourable infrastructure connections with railways, waterways and highways. Amongst others, ICA AB has one of its main distribution centres located in Vasteras.
Vasteras is the birth place of multinational clothing retailer H&M, their first store was opened in the town centre in 1947.
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