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Östergötland (; English language, English exonym: East Gothland) is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden (''landskap'' in Swedish language, Swedish) in the south of Sweden. It borders Småland, Västergötland, Närke, Södermanland and the Baltic Sea. In older English literature, the Latinized version ''Ostrogothia'' is also used. The corresponding administrative county, Östergötland County, covers the entire province and parts of neighbouring provinces.
From west to east, in the middle parts, extends the Östgöta Plain (''Östgötaslätten''). It is largely agriculture, agricultural. In the southern part of the province, the terrain becomes marked by the south Swedish highlands, with hills and countless lakes. The northern parts are also hilly, and are otherwise dominated by forests.
Outside the eastern shore of Östergötland lies the Östergötland archipelago, the islands and islets of which cover an area of . The Bråviken bay continues further into the country. Some of the more notable islands are Korsö, Gränsö, Arkö, Djursö, Yxnö, Finnö, Emtö, Fångö and Stora Ålö.
Traditionally, the region is divided into two halves, east and west of the river Stångån (Östanstång and Västanstång respectively), which flows from the south into Lake Roxen at Linköping.
The eastern part of Göta Canal traverses the province from the Baltic Sea at Mem to Lake Vättern at Motala.
*Highest mountain: Stenabohöjden, 327 meters (1,073 ft)
*Largest lake: Vättern (second-largest lake of Sweden)
Cities and the year of their now defunct royal charter.
*Linköping (1287)
*Mjölby (1922)
*Motala (1881)
*Norrköping (1384)
*Skänninge (approximately 1200)
*Söderköping (approximately 1200)
*Vadstena (approximately 1400)
Today, the largest city in the province is Linköping, with Norrköping second. Skänninge is one of the oldest areas but small; Vadstena is also small. Additional towns without a royal charter that have emerged in the 20th century are Finspång and Åtvidaberg.
The earliest mention of Östergötland (the Ostrogoths of Scandza) appears in the ''Getica'' by the Goths, Goth scholar Jordanes.
The traditions of Östergötland date back into the Viking Age, the undocumented Iron Age, and earlier, when this region had its own laws and kings (see Geatish kings and Wulfings). It is said that the famous Viking warrior Beowulf may likely have been from what is now the Östergötland region. The region kept its own laws, the ''Östgötalagen'', into the Middle Ages. Östergötland belonged to the Christian heartland of the late Iron Age and early medieval Sweden. The Sverker dynasty, Sverker and House of Bjelbo, Bjälbo dynasties played pivotal roles in the consolidation of Sweden.
The province has about 50,000 ancient remains of different kinds. Some 1,749 are, for instance, grave fields.
Industry was formerly most significant in the cities of Norrköping (industries include Ericsson), Linköping (where Saab AB, SAAB has aircraft factories where the Gripen fighter is produced), Finspång (metal works), and Motala (mechanical industries).
Since the 13th century, Swedish princes and princesses in some dynasties have been created dukes and duchesses of various provinces. Since 1772, these are only honorary titles. There have been several Duke of Östergötland, Dukes and Duchesses of Östergötland.
The current duchess is Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland, Princess Estelle since her birth in 2012. Local lore from Sommen, Lake Sommen in southern Östergötland tells that a cow-beast called Urkon or Sommakoa will kill any crowned king that visits the district of Ydre. It was said that the Urkon killed List of legendary kings of Sweden, legendary king Fróði, Frode. As Frode was passing through Ydre, Urkon escaped its lake-cave and attacked him. Frode fled Ydre and thought he was safe but the beast caught and slew him.
In Östergötland several older churches are still standing and many castles and palaces are open to the public. Ekenäs Castle, one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Sweden, has belonged to the families Sture and Johan Banér, Banér. Löfstad Castle has its origin in the early 17th century, having belonged to the Hans Axel von Fersen, von Fersen family. Vadstena Castle, built by the Royal House of Vasa, Vasa dynasty 1545–1620, is a combined fortress and renaissance castle.
Vreta Abbey was the first convent to be established in Sweden, dating from the early 12th century, while Vadstena Abbey was the dominant convent in Medieval Sweden. Notable is also the ruins of the Alvastra Abbey near mountain Omberg and Lake Tåkern.
The Linköping Cathedral, cathedral in Linköping is the second largest church in Sweden and is very well preserved from the Middle Age.
The Göta Canal crosses the province East-West with several locks and the Kinda Canal connects the lakes in the southern parts of the province with the central plains.
Övralid, Övralid Manor was the last home of Nobel Prize laureate Verner von Heidenstam 1925–40.
There are several museums in all parts of the province, for example the Motala longwave transmitter, Swedish Broadcasting Museum, the open-air museum Old Linköping, Swedish Air Force Museum, Saint Birgitta of Sweden, Sancta Birgitta Convent Museum, Museum of Work and the Motala Motor Museum.
The Rök runestone is one of the most famous runestones, featuring the longest known runic inscription in stone. It can now be seen by the church in Rök (between Mjölby and Ödeshög, close to the E4 and Lake Vättern). It is considered the first piece of written Swedish and thus marks the beginning of the history of Swedish literature.
File:Ekenäs slott.jpg, Winter scene at Ekenäs Castle
File:Industrilandskapet Norrköping april 2005 2.jpg, Norrköping#Tourism, Former Industrial landscape in Norrköping
File:Ovralid vattern.jpg, Övralid, Övralid Manor, with view over Lake Vättern
File:Söderköpings sluss, Göta kanal, juli 2005.jpg, The Göta Canal at Söderköping
File:Tidersrums kyrka.jpg, Tidersrum Church, the Architecture of Sweden, oldest wooden church in Sweden
File:Vadstena castle Vadstena Sweden.JPG, Vadstena Castle in Vadstena
File:Lkpgdomkyrka-ne.jpg, The Linköping Cathedral, Cathedral in Linköping
File:Vreta kloster Church view.jpg, Vreta Abbey from the early 12th century
Östergötland Official Tourism Site
from Nordisk Familjebok.
Ekenäs Castle
Löfstad Castle
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ostergotland Östergötland, Provinces of Sweden Geats
Heraldry
From 1560, Östergötland was represented with two separate coats-of-arms seals until 1884, when the current one was granted. The coat of arms is represented with a ducal coronet. Blazon: "gules a griffin with dragon wings, tail and tongue Attitude (heraldry)#Rampant, rampant Or (heraldry), or armed, beaked, langued and membered Azure (heraldry), azure between four Rose (heraldry), roses argent."Geography
From west to east, in the middle parts, extends the Östgöta Plain (''Östgötaslätten''). It is largely agriculture, agricultural. In the southern part of the province, the terrain becomes marked by the south Swedish highlands, with hills and countless lakes. The northern parts are also hilly, and are otherwise dominated by forests.
Outside the eastern shore of Östergötland lies the Östergötland archipelago, the islands and islets of which cover an area of . The Bråviken bay continues further into the country. Some of the more notable islands are Korsö, Gränsö, Arkö, Djursö, Yxnö, Finnö, Emtö, Fångö and Stora Ålö.
Traditionally, the region is divided into two halves, east and west of the river Stångån (Östanstång and Västanstång respectively), which flows from the south into Lake Roxen at Linköping.
The eastern part of Göta Canal traverses the province from the Baltic Sea at Mem to Lake Vättern at Motala.
*Highest mountain: Stenabohöjden, 327 meters (1,073 ft)
*Largest lake: Vättern (second-largest lake of Sweden)
Towns
Cities and the year of their now defunct royal charter.
*Linköping (1287)
*Mjölby (1922)
*Motala (1881)
*Norrköping (1384)
*Skänninge (approximately 1200)
*Söderköping (approximately 1200)
*Vadstena (approximately 1400)
Today, the largest city in the province is Linköping, with Norrköping second. Skänninge is one of the oldest areas but small; Vadstena is also small. Additional towns without a royal charter that have emerged in the 20th century are Finspång and Åtvidaberg.
History
The earliest mention of Östergötland (the Ostrogoths of Scandza) appears in the ''Getica'' by the Goths, Goth scholar Jordanes.
The traditions of Östergötland date back into the Viking Age, the undocumented Iron Age, and earlier, when this region had its own laws and kings (see Geatish kings and Wulfings). It is said that the famous Viking warrior Beowulf may likely have been from what is now the Östergötland region. The region kept its own laws, the ''Östgötalagen'', into the Middle Ages. Östergötland belonged to the Christian heartland of the late Iron Age and early medieval Sweden. The Sverker dynasty, Sverker and House of Bjelbo, Bjälbo dynasties played pivotal roles in the consolidation of Sweden.
The province has about 50,000 ancient remains of different kinds. Some 1,749 are, for instance, grave fields.
Industry was formerly most significant in the cities of Norrköping (industries include Ericsson), Linköping (where Saab AB, SAAB has aircraft factories where the Gripen fighter is produced), Finspång (metal works), and Motala (mechanical industries).
Since the 13th century, Swedish princes and princesses in some dynasties have been created dukes and duchesses of various provinces. Since 1772, these are only honorary titles. There have been several Duke of Östergötland, Dukes and Duchesses of Östergötland.
The current duchess is Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland, Princess Estelle since her birth in 2012. Local lore from Sommen, Lake Sommen in southern Östergötland tells that a cow-beast called Urkon or Sommakoa will kill any crowned king that visits the district of Ydre. It was said that the Urkon killed List of legendary kings of Sweden, legendary king Fróði, Frode. As Frode was passing through Ydre, Urkon escaped its lake-cave and attacked him. Frode fled Ydre and thought he was safe but the beast caught and slew him.
Culture
Local accents
Formerly the östgöta ''or'' dialect spectrum were considered true göta dialects, but is nowadays considered being a transition area between true göta dialects and svea dialects. The dialects are still used in rural areas, but in the cities, the Standard Swedish is spoken with a certain Östgöta accent. The Accent (dialect), accent ''Östgötska'' can be distinguished from Standard Swedish just by accent and pronunciation of vowels and sje- and the- sounds, which makes Östgöta accent an eastern variety of the Götaland accent. In some parts bordering to Södermanland, a variety of the Svealand accent is spoken.Sights
In Östergötland several older churches are still standing and many castles and palaces are open to the public. Ekenäs Castle, one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Sweden, has belonged to the families Sture and Johan Banér, Banér. Löfstad Castle has its origin in the early 17th century, having belonged to the Hans Axel von Fersen, von Fersen family. Vadstena Castle, built by the Royal House of Vasa, Vasa dynasty 1545–1620, is a combined fortress and renaissance castle.
Vreta Abbey was the first convent to be established in Sweden, dating from the early 12th century, while Vadstena Abbey was the dominant convent in Medieval Sweden. Notable is also the ruins of the Alvastra Abbey near mountain Omberg and Lake Tåkern.
The Linköping Cathedral, cathedral in Linköping is the second largest church in Sweden and is very well preserved from the Middle Age.
The Göta Canal crosses the province East-West with several locks and the Kinda Canal connects the lakes in the southern parts of the province with the central plains.
Övralid, Övralid Manor was the last home of Nobel Prize laureate Verner von Heidenstam 1925–40.
There are several museums in all parts of the province, for example the Motala longwave transmitter, Swedish Broadcasting Museum, the open-air museum Old Linköping, Swedish Air Force Museum, Saint Birgitta of Sweden, Sancta Birgitta Convent Museum, Museum of Work and the Motala Motor Museum.
The Rök runestone is one of the most famous runestones, featuring the longest known runic inscription in stone. It can now be seen by the church in Rök (between Mjölby and Ödeshög, close to the E4 and Lake Vättern). It is considered the first piece of written Swedish and thus marks the beginning of the history of Swedish literature.
Hundreds
The Hundreds of Sweden were jurisdictional divisions in effect until the early 20th century. *Aska Hundred, Aska *Bankekind Hundred, Bankekind *Boberg Hundred, Boberg *Bråbo Hundred, Bråbo *Dal Hundred, Dal *Finspång Fief Hundred, Finspång Fief *Gullberg Hundred, Gullberg *Göstring Hundred, Göstring *Hammarkind Hundred, Hammarkind *Hanekind Hundred, Hanekind *Kinda Hundred, Kinda (formerly part of Småland) *Lysinge Hundred, Lysinge *Memming Hundred, Memming *Tjust Northern Hundred, Northern Tjust *Vedbo Northern Hundred, Northern Vedbo *Skärkind Hundred, Skärkind *Valkebo Hundred, Valkebo *Vifolka Hundred, Vifolka *Ydre Hundred, Ydre (formerly part of Småland) *Åkerbo Hundred, Åkerbo *Östkind Hundred, ÖstkindSports
Football in the province is administered by Östergötlands Fotbollförbund (ÖFF).See also
*Roundabout dogReferences
*Nordisk Familjebok, see belowExternal links
Östergötland Official Tourism Site
from Nordisk Familjebok.
Ekenäs Castle
Löfstad Castle
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ostergotland Östergötland, Provinces of Sweden Geats