Goteborg, << `yuh` tuh BAWR yuh, >> also called Gothenburg << GOTH uhn `buhrg` >> is one of the largest cities in Sweden and its most important port. The municipality of Goteborg has a population of 587,549. A municipality may include rural areas as well as the urban center. Goteborg lies on the southwestern coast of Sweden at the mouth of the Gota River. The Gota Canal links the city with Stockholm, 150 miles (241 kilometers) northeast.
Goteborg is a center of commerce and transportation, with direct ferry links to Denmark, Norway, and Germany. Its main industries include food processing and the manufacture of motor vehicles and textiles. The city is the home of Goteborg University. Major attractions include the Goteborg Maritime Museum and Liseberg, an amusement park. Avenyn (Avenue) is a popular street of shops and restaurants. In front of the art museum at Avenyn’s south end stands a fountain and statue of the Greek god Poseidon, created by Swedish-born sculptor Carl Milles. Goteborg was founded by King Gustavus Adolphus in 1619.
