Norrland is the northern part of Sweden, consisting of nine provinces. The term Norrland is not used for any administrative purpose, but it is common in everyday language, e.g. weather forecasts.
Norrland comprises roughly 59% of Sweden's total area but except for the coastal areas, the area is sparsely populated. 12% of Sweden's population live here.
Norrland is known for its nature: wide forests, large rivers and untouched wilderness. Many people live in rural areas & small villages, and in cities along the coast. During the end of the millennium, there was a noticeable increase of the population in Norrland, mainly from people moving from the bigger cities. During the industrial revolution, which reached Sweden in the mid-19th century, Norrland became the source for the important wood and pulp industry. All of the major Norrland rivers but four have been exploited for water power and  accounts for approximately 40% of Sweden's total production of electricity. Mines for producing precious metals have also been located in Norrland. In older history, the administration in Stockholm viewed Norrland pretty much as a colony consisting of natural resources to be exploited. Norrland is often portraited slightly negative in Swedish fiction, often being a place of terror and dread.  The people of Norrland refers the Stockholm as fjollträsk(Fag-Swamp).

(Wikioedia)