Halmstad () is a port, university, industrial and recreational city at the mouth of the Nissan river, in the province of Halland on the Swedish west coast. Halmstad is the seat of Halmstad Municipality and the capital of Halland County. The city had a population of 71,422 in 2020, The Halländska steamship company was formed in Halmstad in 1850 and started traffic between Gothenburg and Copenhagen, which was soon expanded with several connections. The first railway line, Halmstad—Värnamo, opened in 1877.

Halmstad was continually industrialized at the end of the 19th century. The city grew from 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants during the 1890s. Every year, 1,000 people moved to Halmstad and 800—900 moved away.

Halmstad's first union was formed in 1885 by tailor workers.

After expanding in 1967, Halmstad become central town in 1971 in Halmstad's municipality. The population grew from 48,800 in 1990 to 58,577 in 2010.

Climate

Halmstad has the south Scandinavian climate of a relatively rainy environment with warm summers and winters around the freezing point. The local climate is defined as an oceanic climate (Cfb) with some continental influence.

Demographics

Education

Primary education

:Some of these schools might also have secondary education

  • Brunnsåkersskolan
  • Centrumskolan
  • Frennarps Byskola
  • Furulundsskolan
  • Linehedsskolan
  • Nyhemsskolan
  • Slottsjordsskolan
  • Bäckagårdsskolan
  • Sofiebergsskolan
  • Stenstorpsskolan
  • Östergårdsskolan
  • Fyllingeskolan

Secondary education

  • Kattegattgymnasiet
  • Sturegymnasiet
  • Sannarpsgymnasiet

Tertiary education

Founded in 1983, Halmstad University is a public higher education institution offering bachelor's and master's programs in various fields of study. In addition, it conducts Ph.D. programs in three fields of research: Information Technology, Innovation Science and Health Science. Halmstad University has more than 9 000 students, including 245 exchange students (2013) and 163 international programme students (2013).

Transportation

thumb|alt=Halmstad Central railway station|Halmstad Central railway station

Halmstad is located along the West Coast Line and at the beginning of the Halmstad-Nässjö railway line. Regional trains are operated under the brands Øresundståg to Gothenburg and Copenhagen, Pågatågen to Helsingborg and Krösatågen to Nässjö and Jönköping. State operator SJ operates high-speed trains to Gothenburg, Malmö and Stockholm, with private operator MTRX operating additional trains to Stockholm in the summer.

Halmstad is the starting point for national roads 25 and 26, and is situated along the E6/E20 motorways.

Halmstad Airport is a minor international airport with direct flights to various destinations in Europe. Port of Halmstad is one of Sweden's 10 largest seaports.

Sport

thumb|200px|right|[[Halmstads BK versus Gefle IF at Örjans Vall 2007.]]

Event host

In September 2007 the city hosted the Solheim Cup, which was played at the Halmstad Golfklubb. In 2011 Halmstad was the final port of the Tall Ships' Races. Halmstad also hosted the 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championships.

Local sportsteams

  • American Football
  • Halmstad Eagles
  • Association football
  • Halmstads BK
  • IS Halmia
  • Alets IK
  • BK Astrio
  • IF Centern
  • IF Leikin
  • Snöstorp/Nyhem FF
  • IS Örnia
  • Badminton
  • Halmstad Badmintonklubb
  • Bowling
  • BK 91:an Halmstad
  • BK Hallandia
  • BK Nyhem
  • BK Pantern
  • BK Safir
  • BS Tylön
  • Halmia BS
  • IF Tre Hjärtan
  • Team Halmstad BF
  • Dancing
  • Laxbuggarna
  • Fencing
  • Halmstads Fäktsällskap
  • Figure skating
  • Halmstads konståkningsklubb
  • Golf
  • Halmstad GK
  • Bäckavattnets GK
  • Garnisonen GK
  • Holms GK
  • Ringenäs GK
  • Haverdals GK
  • Gymnastics
  • Halmstad Frigymnaster
  • Halmstad Kvinnliga GF
  • Halmstad Rytmiska GF
  • Nissaflickorna
  • Ice hockey
  • Halmstad Hammers HC
  • Halmstad Ungdom HC
  • Sannarps HC
  • Swimming
  • SK Laxen
  • Table tennis
  • Halmstad BTK
  • Team handball
  • HK Drott
  • Halmstads HP
  • Tennis
  • Söndrums TK
  • Track & Field
  • IFK Halmstad
  • Cricket
  • Halmstad Cricket club

Notable residents

  • Luai Ahmed (born 1993), Yemeni-born Swedish journalist, columnist, and influencer
  • Sven Colliander, Lieutenant General and Olympian
  • Rolf Peterson, canoer

See also

  • Krönleins Brewery
  • Mjellby Art Museum
  • Norreport historic city gate
  • Chronicle of the Expulsion of the Grayfriars#Chapter 11 Concerning the Friary in Halmstad

References

  • Official homepage for the Municipality
  • Official homepage for visitors and tourists