Öland

Öland, or Olandia, is the second largest island, and a province or landskap, of Sweden. It is located in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Småland and to the west of Gotland.

Öland Land Götaland County Kalmar Area 1,342 km² Length - At widest point 137 km 16 km Population (1999) 25,000 Provincial flower - in Swedish - in Latin Rock rose Ölandssolvända Helianthemum Oelandicum Provincial beast Thrush nightingale

Table of contents 1 County 2 History 3 Geography 4 Culture 5 Heraldry 6 External Links

County

For current affairs see: County of Kalmar

Öland formed its own county in 1819, before being merged with the County of Kalmar, in 1824. Since 1973 the island is connected to the mainland with a bridge.

History

Main article: History of Öland

Borgholm (1816), was the only chartered city of Öland.

The island has a history of being a royal game park.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Öland

• Highest mountain: Högsrum 55 meters
• Largest lake: Möckelmossen

Öland is the second largest island in Sweden, and at the samme time its smallest province. The main towns are Borgholm, Färjestaden and Mörbylånga.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Öland[?]

The Borgholm Castle[?] built 1669-1681 for Queen Hedvig Eleonora, and designed by Nicodemus Tessin[?], senior. Located in the vincinity is also Solliden Castle[?], summer home to the royal family.

The Agricultural Landscape of southern Öland has been entered as a site of the UNESCO World heritage program. Features of this are the many windmills left standing and the special geological landscape called Alvar[?].

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Öland

Öland was granted its arms in 1560. The symbolism of the deer is thought to represent the islands status as a royal game park. The arms are represented dukal crown. Blazon: "Azure a Deer Or attired, hoofed and gorged Gules."

External Links

• Öland (http://www.olandsturist.se/) - Tourist site