The Swedish West India Company was established in 1626 to promote trade and colonization in the Americas, particularly in the Caribbean. It aimed to compete with other European powers, such as the Dutch and the English, by establishing a foothold in the lucrative sugar trade. The company focused on the islands of Saint Barthélemy and Saint Thomas. Despite initial successes, the company struggled with financial difficulties and competition. In 1686, it was dissolved, and its territories were sold to the Danish West India Company. The legacy of the Swedish West India Company remains significant in the history of Swedish colonial efforts in the Americas.