Småland

Smaland? / I is a historical province ( landskap Swedish ) in southern Sweden.

The province is typically Scandinavian, with large pine forests, lakes and extensive marshes. The largest lakes are Bolmen and Åsnen; the province also bordered to the northwest by the Vättern.

History

Småland was of a series of so-called " small countries " ( Swedish: små country ) is formed. This included Njudung, Värend, Møre, Ydre Tjust, Finnveden and Kinda. A detailed definition of the status of these areas, however, it was not. Characteristic of all was that they had their own meeting ( Thing ) and a private legal system. Due to the diffuse boundaries of the story and by the different church affiliations pins and provinces, a region is created, which is more influenced by their difference to other areas than by similarities between the different " countries ".

Often was the independence of these " countries" such an extent that they could be explained together in wars between Denmark and Sweden with their neighbors on the Danish side neutral (Bauer peace ). Depending on how the respective king put pressure on the council, he got taxes approved or rejected. The desire for centralization of the monarchy, particularly under Gustavus Vasa resulted in a number of peasant uprisings, which in 1542 reached their climax with the Dackegrottan uprising.

From about 1680, the current structure of Småland to the provinces Jönköping län, Kalmar län Kronoberg County and crystallized. However, there were also periods in which all Småland was united under one governor ( Landshövding ).

On the night of 8 to January 9, 2005 Småland was extremely haunted by the storm " Gudrun ".

Coat of arms

Sports

Småland was four times so far hosted the international five -day orienteering O- rings (1966, 1972, 1983, 2005, planned in 2009 ). Västervik is the venue for major speedway race, the team from the equally Småland Vetlanda is the reigning Swedish speedway champions.

Others

Småland is known by the children's books of Astrid Lindgren. Many actions they could play there, where she grew up herself. Among other things, here lies the village Lönneberga in which Michel lives. Your birthplace Vimmerby devoted Astrid Lindgren a leisure and theme park, which is also the starting point for a route along the action and shooting locations.

In Småland is a center for glass art, which is known as the Kingdom of Crystal developed in the 18th century.

The residents of Småland in Sweden are traditionally considered particularly stingy and hard-working. You may be referred to as perhaps the Swabians or Scots Sweden.

The term Småland is among others in Germany known as a name for the child care of the furniture store Ikea.

Landscape symbols

• Animal: otter
• Fish: catfish