Vänersborg is a locality and the seat of Vänersborg Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 23,882 inhabitants (out of a municipal total of 39,591) Until 1997 it was the capital of Älvsborg County, which was dissolved in 1998. Since 1999 Vänersborg has been the seat of the regional parliament of Västra Götaland County. The city is located on the southern shores of lake Vänern, close to where the river Göta älv leaves the lake.