Swedish Lakeland
This region comprises the nine provinces of Dalsland, Värmland and Västergötland in the west, Dalarna, Närke and Västmanland in the north, and Östergötland, Södermanland and Uppland to the east. These form a large part of Sweden with a mixture of open water, vast lakes, plains and meadows and large areas of wild natural scenery. The provinces in the west are dominated by Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake, while in the north and east are the lakes of Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Siljan as well as the Baltic Sea. The whole region is considered the cradle of Swedish culture, and it is here that the majority of Swedes live. For visitors there is a wide variety of hotels, campsites and country inns.
Västergötland has the castle of Läckö, the Trollhättan hydro-electric waterfalls, canoe trips and fishing. Närke contains the Stjerhov Manor, and a 17th-century inn can be visited at Grythyttan in Västmanland. In Dalarna, visitors can meet Father Christmas at the Santaworld theme park. On the island of Sollerön there are Viking graves and in Kolmården there is a zoo and safari park. Gripsholm Castle is in Södermanland. The university city of Uppsala boasts Scandinavia’s largest Cathedral and the Baroque Castle of Skokloster, with a vintage car museum.
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