History of the province

The first humans came to Hälsingland nearly 9,000 years ago. They lived by hunting, fishing, and gathering.

Afterwards, they began keeping tamed cattle, and gradually seed cultivation came to our districts. Many different types of nature exist side by side in Hälsingland: mighty forests, rushing rivers, mountains and valleys, and cultivable land.

The soil of Hälsingland has been farmed since the Iron Age. These creative Hälsingland farmers earned their income from several sources. They had, above all, three other activities: cattle breeding, sales of forest, and linen manufacture.