Skåne (also called Scania) is a special historical region located in the very south of Sweden. It's known for its beautiful flat lands, long coastlines, and rich history. Skåne is a popular place for both living and visiting, offering a mix of big cities and peaceful countryside.

Discovering Skåne: Location and Size
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Discovering Skåne: Location and Size

Skåne is the southernmost province of Sweden. It covers an area of about 10,939 square kilometers. This makes it one of the larger provinces in Sweden. It is part of a bigger land area called Götaland. Skåne is also a county in Sweden, which is how it is governed today.

A Journey Through Time: Skåne's History

Skåne has a very interesting past. For a long time, it was actually part of Denmark. This changed in the 17th century. After several wars, Skåne became a part of Sweden. This historical connection means that Skåne has a unique culture. You can still see Danish influences in its architecture and traditions.

Ancient Times and Early Settlements

People have lived in Skåne for thousands of years. One famous ancient site is Ale's Stones. This is a large stone ship monument from around 500 AD. It sits on the coast and is a mystery from the past. It shows how people lived and buried their dead long ago.

From Danish to Swedish Rule

In the Middle Ages, Skåne was a very important part of Denmark. It had strong ties to the Danish kingdom. Over time, conflicts between Denmark and Sweden grew. The Treaty of Roskilde in 1658 was a major turning point. This treaty officially gave Skåne, along with other nearby regions, to Sweden. The last peace treaty between Denmark and Sweden was signed in 1720.

Nature's Beauty: Animals and Plants

Skåne is famous for its diverse nature. It has many different landscapes. You can find wide fields, thick forests, and lovely coastlines.

Forests and Fields

A common sight in Skåne is the Beech forest. These forests are beautiful, especially in the spring and autumn. The region also has many large fields. These fields are often filled with bright yellow rapefields in the spring. You might also see pruned willow trees, which are typical for the area.

Wildlife of Skåne

Skåne is home to several interesting animals. The official animal of Skåne is the Red deer. These majestic creatures roam the forests. You might also spot the Red kite, which is the official bird. For fish, the Eel is an important symbol of the region. The official flower of Skåne is the Oxeye daisy.

Cities and Landmarks in Skåne

Skåne has many important cities and famous landmarks. These places show both its history and its modern side.

Major Cities: Malmö and Lund

Malmö is the largest city in Skåne. It is a modern and lively city. One of its most famous buildings is the Turning Torso. This skyscraper is the tallest building in Sweden. It has a unique twisted design.

Lund is another important city. It is known for its old Lund Cathedral. The cathedral towers are a famous part of the city's skyline. Lund also has a very old and respected university.

Famous Structures and Transport

The Øresund Bridge is a huge bridge and tunnel system. It connects Malmö in Skåne with Copenhagen in Denmark. This bridge is a symbol of the connection between Sweden and Denmark.

Skåne has a good transport system. The E6 motorway runs through the western part of the province. This road is a main route for travel. The region also has an excellent train service. Many stations are served, making it easy to travel around Skåne.

Historical Buildings

You can find many old and beautiful buildings in Skåne. There are traditional half-timbered farmhouses. These show how people lived in the past. Castles like Vittskövle Castle also dot the landscape. Many medieval churches, like the Old Church of Södra Åsum, are also found here. These churches often show the old Danish Scanian style.

Culture and Dialect

The people of Skåne have their own unique cultural identity. This is partly due to their history.

The Scanian Dialect

The local dialect is called Scanian. It sounds a bit different from standard Swedish. This is because of its strong historical ties to the Danish language. It's a special part of Skåne's heritage.

Traditional Costumes

Skåne also has traditional costumes. These are often worn during special events and celebrations. They reflect the unique history and culture of the region.

Images for kids

The two counties of Scania from 1719 to 1996
Letter from Eric of Pomerania dated 1437, with a description of the arms granted to the city of Malmö.
The coat of arms of Scania in an engraving from 1712 in Erik Dahlbergh's Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna.
Ale's Stones, a stone ship (burial monument) from c. 500 AD on the coast at Kåseberga, around ten kilometres (6.2 miles) south east of Ystad.
Map of Denmark in the Middle Ages, Scania was together with the provinces Blekinge and Halland a part of Denmark
Front page of the latest and current peace treaty between Denmark and Sweden, Swedish version
The motorway through western Scania, E6, here at motorway service Glumslöv, is the artery of the western part of the province.
All local, regional and inter-regional train services within Scania (2018). In all, 72 stations are served, during day times at least one train per hour and direction. Many stations (especially in the west) have far better service than so. The most busy part is between Hyllie (Malmö) and Lund.
Land usage in Scania, showing hardwood forests (light green), pinewood forests (dark green), fields (yellow), garden and fruit (orange) and residential areas (red)
Aerial view of Scania near Lund
A typical Beech forest, the Western edge of Karlslund in Northern Landskrona
Pruned willows and rapefields are typical for this area of Sweden.
Typical Scanian coastline, here southern peak of Ven island in Øresund. The yellow colour indicates sand rather than chalk, while white colour at similar cliffs indicates chalk rather than sand
Map of the 33 municipalities of Scania. The western, yellow coloured municipalities, close to Øresund, have much higher population densities than the eastern ones
Eslöv church, built 1890 in Neo-Gothic style, sometimes known in Swedish as Eslöv Gothic.
The Øresund Bridge
The Annehem neighborhood in Lund
The Turning Torso in Malmö, the tallest building in Sweden.
Location of some SMHI temperature stations in Scania
Traditional half-timbered farm house of the southern plains in Scania.
The house of magistrate Jacob Hansen in Helsingborg, built in 1641.
The Old Church of Södra Åsum in Sjöbo Municipality — a typical example of a medieval Danish Scanian church.
Lund skyline, with the Cathedral towers.
Vittskövle Castle.
Traditional Scanian nuptial array according to Auguste Racinet, in Le costume historique.