Laholm Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Laholm

Laholm City Square

Coat of arms

Laholm

Location in Sweden Halland

Laholm

Location in Sweden

Area

• Total

4.66 km² (1.80 sq mi)

Population

(31 December 2015)

• Total

6,527

• Density

1,320/km² (3,400/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal code

312 00

Area code(s)

430

Laholm (pronounced la-HOLM) is a charming town in Sweden. It's located in Halland County and is the main town of Laholm Municipality. In 2015, about 6,527 people lived here.

Even though it's not a huge city today, Laholm has a special history. It was the very first place in the Halland region to get "city rights" way back in the 13th century. This meant it had special rules and privileges, like being able to hold markets.

The town is beautifully situated where the Lagan River meets the Bay of Laholm. This location has been important for its history and development.

A Peek into Laholm's Past
- The Town's Special Symbol
Exploring Laholm Today
Gallery
See also

A Peek into Laholm's Past

Laholm is one of Sweden's oldest towns. It's also the oldest in the province of Halland. The town received its first official document, called a charter, in the 1200s. At that time, this area was actually part of Denmark. The local church was built around 1225.

During the 1500s and 1600s, Sweden and Denmark often fought. Laholm was unfortunately burned down many times during these wars. In 1645, Halland became part of Sweden. Laholm then had about 330 residents. A hundred years later, its population grew to about 866 people.

By the mid-1800s, over 1,000 people lived in Laholm. This number doubled by the early 1900s. Around 1950, the population reached 3,000. In 1971, a big change happened in local government. Laholm became the main town for the larger Laholm Municipality. This municipality now has over 25,000 residents.

The Town's Special Symbol

The town's and municipality's official symbol, called a coat of arms, is very old. It dates back to the Middle Ages. However, it was officially approved by the king only in the 1940s.

The coat of arms shows three silver salmon fish with red fins. They are swimming on a blue background. This design highlights how important salmon fishing has been to the area for hundreds of years. Interestingly, this symbol looks almost exactly like the coat of arms for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in London. Their symbol is also very old!

Exploring Laholm Today

Laholm offers a mix of old charm and modern life. You can explore its historic parts and see buildings that have stood for centuries. The town also has a public library and a movie theater. It's a great place to learn about Swedish history and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.