The history of Västerås, located in the west of Stockholm (the capital city) in Southeast Sweden, dates back to the Viking Age and it is accepted as a significant religious center for the country. Västerås appears as an industrial city today while cucumbers are mostly grown in the city where agricultural economy used to be dominant once. Besides the ease and development of highway and railway transport, trade is also quite developed in the city with transportation over Svartån River and Lake Mälaren.
Västerås has the effects of humid continental climate. Daytime temperature is measured as 22 degrees on average in summer. But the temperature drops down to minus degrees in winter. The city is covered in snow for a long time and Lake Mälaren freezes almost every winter. It rains rather in summer. The biggest tumulus graveyard of Sweden, Anundshög is situated about 7 km outside the city center and it is believed that it remained from the 6th century. Vasa Park is in the city center as a pleasing walking and resting area.
Västerås Cathedral is one of the architectural symbols of the city with its redbrick structure. Sala Silver Mine, which was carved with human labour, has many corridors and galleries and preserved very well, attracts attention as a touristic facility today. Placed in UNESCO World Heritage List, Traditional Engelsberg Ironworks is also worth-seeing. Vallby Open Air Museum must also be visited by history and culture seekers. Turbine Powerhouse, Tidö Castle, Ängsö Castle and historical Bondtorget streets are also among the places to visit in Västerås.