the lake Vänern. In spite of this, the climate is quite continental considering its classification as marine. The location near the sea and at the shore of a lake influences the climate with frequent rain and wind from the sea, and some potential for lake-effect snow during winters. Economy Handicraft, trade, shipping and its former status as the county seat of Älvsborgs County has benefited Vänersborg's development. Ever since the 1600s, the city's inhabitants consisted of a dynamic mix of administrators, businessmen, artisans and skilled craftsmen. Today the municipality is characterized by more high-tech engineering companies, IT and electronics, education and skilled service. Public administration still plays an important role. Education Vänersborg has several schools, including Torpaskolan, Tärnanskolan, Vänerskolan, Birger Sjöberg High School, Frida High School, as well as the independent school Fridaskolan. Sports The bandy club IFK Vänersborg plays in the highest division Elitserien and Blåsuts BK is usually playing in the second-tier Allsvenskan. Arena Vänersborg is an indoor arenas for bandy. Arena Vänersborg caused a great commotion, due to it exceeding its budget, landing the final cost of the arena at 300 000 000 SEK and counting. Vänersborg hosted the 2013 Bandy World Championship for men's teams. For the second time Group A was a separate event. When the world championship will be held in town again, in 2019, it will be for both divisions. Districts Vänersborg is made out of several small and large districts: Onsjö, Mariedal, Blåsut, Vargön, Lilleskog, Korseberg, Torpa, Nordstan, Restad and Öxnered. Politics On 22 November 2010, Vänersborg's Mayor, Lars-Göran Ljunggren (Social Democrat), resigned following two scandals of Arena Vänersborg, whose costs greatly exceeded the original budget, and the Toppfrys deal, which was investigated by the European Union Economic Commission. Ljunggren had spent 30 years on Vänersborg City Council, and three and a half years as mayor. He was succeeded in 2011 by the Conservative politician Gunnar Lidell. Mayor since the election 2014 is Marie Dahlin, Social Democrat. Notable inhabitants Count Lennart Torstensson (1603–1651), was born at Forstena manor in Vänersborg, Västergötland. He was a Swedish Field Marshal and military engineer. The poet Birger Sjöberg (1885–1929) was born in Vänersborg. He wrote appreciatively about Vänersborg, most notably in Fridas bok (1922), wherein the comparison "Vänersborg – little Paris" is found. The park in the northern part of Vänersborg, Skräckleparken, offers a picturesque view over lake Vänern, and therein also stands this statue of