Smalandia (original) (raw)

Smalandia, or Sm�land (literally "Small Countries"), is a historical Province in southern Sweden. It borders to Blechingia, Scania, Hallandia, Westrogothia, Ostrogothia and the island province of Oelandia, which is in the Baltic Sea.

Sm�land LandG�taland Counties Kronoberg County Kalmar County J�nk�ping County Area29,322 km² Provincial flower_- Swedish_ _- LatinTwinflower_Linnea Linnea Borealis Provincial animalOtter Provincial birdSong thrush

Counties

For current affairs see: Counties of Kronoberg, Kalmar and J�nk�ping

The province of Smalandia is divided upon the counties of Kronoberg, Kalmar and J�nk�ping.

History

Main article: History of Smalandia

Chartered cities before 1971:

During mideval times the town of Kalmar was the largest town in Sweden, when it was a center for export of iron, which in many cases was handled by German merchants.

In the 19th century, Smalandia was characterized by poverty, and had a larger portion of emigrants than other parts of Sweden. The majority of emigrants ended up in Minnesota, which has a geography resembling that of the homeland, mixing arable land with forest and lakes.

In the 20th century, Smalandia has been known for its high level of entrepreneurship and low unemployment. Maybe the hard conditions has forced the inhabitants of the region to invent and cooperate. Most notably, the worldwide furniture store chain IKEA was started here in the 1950s by Ingvar Kamprad, who still owns and controls the privately held venture.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Smalandia

The geography is dominated by a forested high plain where the soil is mixed with sand and small boulders, making the area less suited for agriculture than the surrounding parts of Sweden.

Traditionally a historical province is representative of a separate country before the unification of Sweden. Sm�land however consists of several smaller countries in one single province. The name Sm�land literally means small countries.

Red houses with white corners are a typical characteristic of farmers houses in Smalandia.

The historical small countries of Smalandia:

Culture

Main article: Culture of Smalandia

The Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus or Carl von Linn� (1707-1778), often called the father of taxonomy or king of flowers, was born in Sm�land. The provincial flower Linnea (Latin: Linnea Borealis, English: Twinflower) is named after him.

The emigration venture of the 19th century is best depicted in the suite of novels by Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg, which is also the basis for the musical Kristina from Duvem�la by ex-ABBA musicians/composers Benny Andersson and Bj�rn Ulvaeus.

Childrens book author Astrid Lindgren often portrayed sceneries from her own childhood growing up on a farm in Smalandia, in her writing.

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Smalandia

The current coat of arms was granted in 1569 and pictures a rampant red lion on a golden shield carrying a crossbow. The arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Or a lion rampant Gules langued and armed Azure holding in front paws a Crossbow of the second bowed and stringed Sable with a bolt Argent."