Norrland (
listen (help·info)) (Northland) is one of the three lands of Sweden (landsdelar), the northern part, 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 the historical provinces (landskap) Gästrikland, Medelpad, Ångermanland, Hälsingland, Jämtland, Härjedalen, Västerbotten, Norrbotten and Lappland, roughly 59% of Sweden's total area. Historically, Jämtland and Härjedalen belonged to Norway until 1645, and are thus not part of the historical Norrland.
Administratively, Sweden is not divided into provinces but into counties (see Län). Although Norrland is defined in terms of the historical provinces and not the counties, it roughly comprises the modern counties of Gävleborg, Jämtland, Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Västernorrland.
Except for the coastal areas, Norrland is sparsely populated. 12% of Sweden's population live in Norrland. Unlike the much more densely populated Svealand and Götaland, which are better known for big cities (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö etc.) with landmarks & tourist attractions, Norrland is known for its nature: wide forests, large rivers and untouched wilderness.