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Svealand

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Svealand is the historical core region of the country of Sweden.

map svealand
map svealand

It is located in the south-central part of the nation. This region is one of the three historical lands of Sweden. To its north lies the region known as Norrland. To its south sits the region of Götaland. Historically, the people living in this area were called the Svear. This name is the origin of the English word "Swedes."

Map swedish lands
Map swedish lands

The geography of Svealand is varied and includes many distinct areas. In the east, the Mälardalen region serves as a major capital area. To the northeast, you will find the area called Roslagen. The central part of the region contains Bergslagen, which was formerly a mining district. In the west, the land includes Dalarna and Värmland. The eastern coast features an extensive archipelago. This archipelago contains thousands of small islands located in Södermanland and Uppland.

map svealand
map svealand

Water plays a massive role in the landscape of Svealand. The region contains the lakeshores of the four largest lakes in Sweden. Several major river systems flow through the territory. The Klarälven river originates in Norway and enters Lake Vänern through Värmland. The Dalälven river runs from Dalarna through the lake of Siljan. Other important river basins include the Norrström, which flows through lakes Hjälmaren and Mälaren. The Nyköpingsån river covers the post-glacial lake district of Södermanland.

map svealand
map svealand

The climate in Svealand is generally described as a moderate continental climate. Weather patterns change based on the elevation and direction of travel. As the elevation descends moving eastwards, precipitation gradually declines. At the same time, temperatures tend to increase as you move east. In the southern parts of the Scandinavian Mountains, the terrain provides space for several ski resorts. This combination of water, mountains, and shifting weather creates a diverse environment.

Svealand is composed of six historical provinces. These are Dalarna, Närke, Södermanland, Uppland, Värmland, and Västmanland.

map svealand
map svealand

While Sweden has used counties since 1634, Svealand is defined by these older provinces. The region roughly corresponds to the modern counties of Dalarna, Örebro, Södermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Värmland, and Västmanland. Stockholm is the primate city and the capital of Sweden. It is located within both Uppland and Södermanland. You can even find a historical border stone in the streets of Stockholm Old Town.

The history of Svealand is deeply tied to the identity of Sweden itself. In the past, the name "Swerige" or "Sweden" referred only to Svealand. As the domains of the Swedish kings grew, the name was used to distinguish the original territory from new lands. Early medieval sources, such as the sagas, support this connection. Deep forests like Tiveden, Tylöskog, and Kolmården once acted as natural borders. These forests separated Svealand from Götaland and made it difficult to control both areas effectively.

Map swedish lands
Map swedish lands

Many historical figures and documents provide insight into this region. The lord Bo Jonsson Grip owned more than half of the kingdom in the 14th century. In his 1384 will, he identified the kingdom as consisting of Svealand, Finland, and Götaland. The travels of Ohthere of Hålogaland around the year 890 also mention the area. Even the province of Värmland has a complex history. It was counted as part of Götaland until the 19th century. However, by custom, it has long been considered a part of Svealand.

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File:Map swedish lands.png
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File:map svealand.png
map svealand.png
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