Geography
Visby is the seat of the municipality as well as the capital of the county. It has a population of approximately 22,200, around two fifths of the island's population.
Gotland is located about 90 km east of the Swedish mainland and about 130 km from the Baltic States, Latvia being the nearest. Gotland is the name of the main island, but the adjacent islands are generally considered part of Gotland and the Gotlandic culture:
- Furillen;
- Fårö;
- Gotska Sandön, a National park of Sweden;
- The Karlsö Islands (Stora Karlsö and Lilla Karlsö);
- Laus holmar;
- Utholmen;
- Östergarnsholm.
There are several shallow lakes located near shores of the island. The biggest is Lake Bästeträsk, located near Fleringe in the northern part of Gotland.
Gotland contains many popular beaches, such as Tofta Strand, and Hundfria strand.
The highest point of the island is Lojsta Hed which stands 82 m above sea level.
Read more about this topic: Gotland
Famous quotes containing the word geography:
“Where the heart is, there the muses, there the gods sojourn, and not in any geography of fame. Massachusetts, Connecticut River, and Boston Bay, you think paltry places, and the ear loves names of foreign and classic topography. But here we are; and, if we tarry a little, we may come to learn that here is best. See to it, only, that thyself is here;—and art and nature, hope and fate, friends, angels, and the Supreme Being, shall not absent from the chamber where thou sittest.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“At present cats have more purchasing power and influence than the poor of this planet. Accidents of geography and colonial history should no longer determine who gets the fish.”
—Derek Wall (b. 1965)
“Ktaadn, near which we were to pass the next day, is said to mean “Highest Land.” So much geography is there in their names.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)