Östergötland

Östergötland, or Ostrogothia, is a traditional province or landskap in the south of Sweden. It borders to Småland, Västergötland, Närke, Södermanland and to the Baltic Sea.

County For current affairs see: County of Östergötland

The County of Östergötland has virtually the same boundaries as the province of Östergötland.

History Main article: History of Östergötland[?]

Chartered cities before 1971:

• Linköping (1287)
• Mjölby (1922)
• Motala (1881)
• Norrköping (1384)
• Skänninge[?] (approximately 1200)
• Söderköping (approximately 1200)
• Vadstena (approximately 1400)

Its tradition goes back into the undocumented iron age and viking age prehistory, when this region had its own king and law. The region kept its own laws Östgötalagen, into the medieval times and the unification of Sweden. Traditionally, the region is divided into two halfs, east and west of the river Stångån[?], which flows from the south into lake Roxen[?] at Linköping.

Togeather Östergötland and Västergötland constitutes Götaland proper. Götaland was one of the constituent lands at the unification into one Swedish kingdom in the Middle Ages.

Geography Main article: Geography of Östergötland[?]

• Highest mountain: Stenabohöjden 327 meters
• Largest lake: Vättern

The eastern part of Göta canal traverses the province from the Baltic sea at Mem[?] to lake Vättern at Motala.

Culture Main article: Culture of Östergötland[?]

Ekenäs Castle[?], one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Sweden, has belonged to the families Sture and Banér. Löfstad Castle[?] has its origin in the early 17th century having belonged to the von Fersen[?] family. Vadstena Castle[?], built by the Vasa dynasty 1545-1620, is combined fortress and renaissance castle.

Heraldry Main article: Heraldry of Östergötland[?]

From 1560 Östergötland was represented with two separate arms until 1884 when the current one was granted. The arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Gules a Griffin with Dragon Wings, Tail and Tongue rampant Or armed, beaked, langued and membered Azure between four Roses Argent."

External links

• Östergötland (http://www.ostgotaporten.com/) - Tourist site
• Ekenäs Castle (http://www.ekenasslott.nu/)
• Löfstad Castle (http://www.lofstad.nu/)