�land

�land, 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 Sm�land and to the west of Gotland.

County For current affairs see: County of Kalmar

�land 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 �land

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

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

Geography Main article: Geography of �land

• Highest mountain: H�gsrum 55 meters
• Largest lake: M�ckelmossen

�land is the second largest island in Sweden, and at the samme time its smallest province. The main towns are Borgholm, F�rjestaden and M�rbyl�nga.

Culture Main article: Culture of �land[?]

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 �land 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 �land

�land 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

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