Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden and the fifth largest in the Nordic countries, located on the west coast of the country, at the mouth of the Göta älv river into the Kattegat Strait. Founded in 1621 by King Gustav II Adolf, the city was designed with an urban style influenced by Dutch cities, giving it a unique character with numerous canals and wide avenues. Gothenburg is an important industrial and port center, with the largest port in the Nordic countries, which remains operational all year round thanks to its unfrozen waters. The city is home to large companies such as Volvo and SKF, and is home to two major universities, the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, which attract a large student population. With approximately 600,000 inhabitants in the city and around 1.1 million in its metropolitan area, Gothenburg combines its industrial tradition with a vibrant cultural life, international events, parks and a reputation for being a welcoming and dynamic city. Its mix of history, modernity, nature and culture make it a special destination in Sweden and Scandinavia.