In 1999, the three south-western counties Älvsborg, Skaraborg and Göteborg and Bohus were merged to form Västra Götaland County. The county covers the provinces Westrogothia (Västergötland), Bohuslän and Dalsland, and has an area of 23945 km<small><sup>2</sup></small>. It has a population of 1 515000 (2004). Its residence city is Gothenburg, and it is divided into approximately 50 municipalities.