The administrative map of Sweden bears the imprint of the medieval system of "länlands" governed by feudal landowners. The boundaries of the modern county provinces largely follow the outlines of the Gothic and Svein jarls' estates.
The historical regions of Sweden were formed by the unification of territories inhabited by different tribes. Until 1809, the Kingdom of Sweden also owned the region of Österland, which was ceded to the Russian Empire in the Treaty of Friedrichsgamme.
The unusual names of the Swedish regions of Svealand and Götaland derive from the names of the two largest ethnic communities, the Sveans and the Goths. In the northern part of the country, known as Norrland, the Sámi and other Finno-Ugric peoples made up a large part of the population.
Southern Sweden
The most economically developed region of Sweden is Götaland, which includes the counties of Blekinge, Skåne, Västra-Götaland, Halland, Kalmar, Jönköping and Krunuberg, as well as the islands of Gotland, Östergötland and Elland. In the 6th century, it was the scene of legendary battles between the Flemish and Gothic warriors, sung in the heroic poem "Beowulf".
Halmstad, Apelviken, Melbystrand, Schrea, Sandhammarren, Ljugarn, Helsingborn, and Falkenberg are all popular resorts and surfing spots on the Baltic coast of Halland and Skåne.
Many tour operators tend to view the islands of the southeast coast and the Estgöt Archipelago as a separate eastern region of Sweden, unusually attractive to fans of sailing, rowing, fishing and secluded beach vacations.
The island of Gotland is of interest to movie aesthetes and connoisseurs of medieval romance. Visby's early Christian churches sit alongside a reconstructed Viking village, while the nearby islets of Stura Karlsjö, Lilla Karsjö and Fårö are adorned with the intricate silhouettes of the raukar cliffs depicted in Ingmar Bergman's films.
The blossoming island of Elland, a land of white sand dunes and windmills, is the royal family's summer vacation destination. Soliden Castle hosts a lavish birthday party for Crown Princess Victoria on July 14.
The picturesque Västra-Götland strip can, in turn, claim to be Sweden's independent western region, marked by the cultural heritage of four historic provinces. Gothenburg's western archipelago is famous for its excellent fishing, clean beaches, and challenging but extremely interesting routes for yachts, canoes, and kayaks.
Almost all sightseeing routes pass through Götaland, as the country's two largest cities, Gothenburg and Malmö, are located here. The colorful historic districts, preserved virtually unchanged, depict the mores and aspirations of the Swedish kingdom from the Middle Ages to the turbulent Art Nouveau era.
Central Sweden.
The Midlands form the central region of Sweden, Svealand, represented by the counties of Stockholm, Dalarna, Uppsala, Övleborg, Södermanland, Värmland, Vestmanland, and Örebro. In spring and summer, excursion vacations are conveniently combined with biking and hiking tours through the picturesque landscapes of the Swedish countryside, collecting a variety of experiences and impressions.
The standard tour itinerary in central Sweden covers Dalarna, Södermanland, and the northern shores of Lake Mälaren. Here you'll find the university city of Uppsala and the ancient capital of the Viking state, Sigtuna, which holds the secrets of runic writing.
Travelers not accustomed to cross-country marching can take a cruise along the Göta and Dalsland canals, enjoying lush scenery at a respectful distance.
Amateur archaeologists are in awe of Vermland's majestic burial mounds, forest lakes, and stone labyrinths. Game of Thrones fans will be curious to walk the streets of the real Westeros, the capital of Västmanland, while historical re-enactors will find much to appreciate on trips to the ancient mine in Falun and the 17th-century ironworks in Engelsberg.
Northern Sweden.
More than 66% of the kingdom's territory lies in Norrland, Sweden's sparsely populated northern region, steeped in the rugged romance of the north. Sweden's Lapland, a cultural and historical region with a vibrant ethnographic flavor, occupies the länder of Jömtland, Norrbotten, and Västerbotten. The towns of Kiduna and Luleå are considered the last outposts of civilization before the world of White Silence. Westernorrland on the northern coast of the Baltic Sea is famous for its excellent sea fishing.
The slopes of the Scandinavian mountain range in the western part of the region are dotted with family-friendly ski resorts. Swedes love to spend their Christmas vacations on the superbly equipped slopes of Selene, Ore, Vemdalen, and Idre: the 300-400-meter drops are fun for experienced amateurs while remaining safe for beginners and children.
In summer, Norrland's nature parks are flooded with trekkers and climbers. Especially popular is the 450-kilometer-long Kungsleden (Royal Trail), which girdles the rocky peaks of the Abisko, Stura Sjöfallet, Pielkaise, and Sarek national parks.
