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.

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