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Malmö

geography Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Malmö is a large and busy city in Sweden.

A view of Malmö from a plane window, August 2015
A view of Malmö from a plane window, August 2015

It sits on the southwestern coast in a place called Scania. The city lies right next to the Öresund strait. This water separates Sweden from the country of Denmark.

Oresund bridge
Oresund bridge

A huge structure called the Öresund Bridge connects the two lands. It was finished in the year 2000. This bridge carries both cars and trains across the water.

Øresundståg
Øresundståg

The bridge and the city are part of a large region. This area is home to four million people.

The city has changed many times over many years.

The first written mention of Malmö was in the year 1275. Its old name was Malmhaug, which means "Gravel pile."

1594 map of Elbogen
1594 map of Elbogen

Long ago, the city was part of Denmark. In 1658, it became part of Sweden.

A famous fortress called Malmöhus was built there in 1434. The city was once a very important place for fishing. People came there to trade herring from the sea.

Malmö used to be a place for big factories.

Sodergatan-1913
Sodergatan-1913

Many large industrial groups started here, like Kockums and Scania AB. The city grew very fast during the 1900s. By 1952, two hundred thousand people lived in the city.

Meeting of Scandinavian kings 2
Meeting of Scandinavian kings 2

In 1914, the city even hosted a large Baltic Exhibition. However, the city faced hard times in the 1970s and 1990s. Many people lost their jobs when the big shipyards closed. The city had to find new ways to work.

Today, Malmö is a modern center for new ideas.

TurningTorsoMalmö
TurningTorsoMalmö

Instead of big factories, there are many small companies. These businesses work in areas like IT and building things.

Västra hamnen skyview, Malmö
Västra hamnen skyview, Malmö

The Turning Torso is a very tall skyscraper in the city. Malmö is also a place for learning and study. It is home to Malmö University. The city is growing very quickly right now. It is expected to have 395,000 residents by the year 2035.

Life in Malmö is very diverse and interesting.

Malmö population pyramid in 2022
Malmö population pyramid in 2022

People from 187 different countries live in the city. This makes the city a mix of many cultures.

Stortorget in Malmö, Sweden
Stortorget in Malmö, Sweden

The weather is mild because of the warm Gulf Stream. Winters are cold but do not stay snowy for long.

Malmö Arena ESC2013 01
Malmö Arena ESC2013 01

Sports are also a big part of life here. The Malmö FF football club has won many titles. People enjoy the many parks and historic buildings found throughout the city.

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🖼️ Images & Media (23)
File:Malmo Vapenbrev.png
Malmo Vapenbrev.png
File:1594 map of Elbogen.jpg
1594 map of Elbogen.jpg
File:Sodergatan-1913.jpg
Sodergatan-1913.jpg
File:Meeting of Scandinavian kings 2.jpeg
Meeting of Scandinavian kings 2.jpeg
File:A_view_of_Malmö_from_a_plane_window,_August_2015.jpg
A_view_of_Malmö_from_a_plane_window,_Augus...
File:Vattentornet_vid_Pildammarna.jpg
Vattentornet_vid_Pildammarna.jpg
File:Oresund bridge.jpg
Oresund bridge.jpg
File:Øresundståg.JPG
Øresundståg.JPG
File:Malmoexpressen Malmo Central 20140618 0005 (14270129978).jpg
Malmoexpressen Malmo Central 20140618...
File:Malmö rådhus, Stortorget, Malmö.jpg
Malmö rådhus, Stortorget, Malmö.jpg
File:Malmö population pyramid in 2022.svg
Malmö population pyramid in 2022.svg
File:SCB Malmo taxable income as percentage of national average 1995 2016.png
SCB Malmo taxable income as percentage of...

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