Lands of Sweden - Historical Lands

Historical Lands

Sweden was historically divided into the four lands: Götaland, Svealand, Norrland and Österland.

• Österland (literally Eastlands) is an old name for southern Finland. It may in prehistoric times have been inhabited by various tribes with their own kings (such as the Kvens). The term has been obsolete since the 15th century and is virtually unknown in Sweden today. In most dictionaries "österlandet" simply means the orient.

• Norrland was the name for the annexed lands to the north on both sides of the Gulf of Bothnia.

• In Sweden's prehistoric times Sweden was largely restricted to Svealand and southern Norrland, while Götaland is mentioned in legends as a rival kingdom, and traditions of Swedish-Geatish wars survive in the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf. Eventually the two countries were united under one crown by the Swedish kings at some time between 550–1200 (the date is the matter of debate).

After the Finnish War (1808–1809) the eastern part of Sweden was ceded to Russia, thus becoming the Imperial Russian Grand Duchy of Finland, with Norrland divided between these two states. The Swedish portion of Norrland still represents more than half of Sweden's territory; it remains, however, sparsely populated compared to the south and middle. The town of Stockholm, which became the capital mostly because of its central location within the medieval boundaries of Sweden (i.e. the brightest area on the map), now was situated at the eastern edge of the realm.