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Östergötland facts for kids

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Östergötland
Östgöta Plain
Östgöta Plain
Flag of Östergötland
Flag
Coat of arms of Östergötland
Coat of arms
Sverigekarta-Landskap Östergötland.svg
Country Sweden
Land Götaland
Counties Östergötland County
Örebro County
Area
 • Total 9,979 km2 (3,853 sq mi)
Population
 (2011-12-31)
 • Total 428,379
 • Density 42.9280/km2 (111.183/sq mi)
Ethnicity
 • Language Swedish
 • Dialect Östgötska
Götamål
Culture
 • Flower Cornflower
 • Animal
 • Bird Mute swan
 • Fish Pike
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)

Östergötland is a historical province located in southern Sweden. It's mostly made up of flat lands known as "Östgötaslätten," which means "Östgöta Plains." This area is famous for its wide-open fields and beautiful scenery.

Discover Östergötland: A Swedish Province

Östergötland is one of Sweden's traditional provinces. It's found in the larger land of Götaland. This region has a long history and unique natural features.

What is Östergötland Like?

Östergötland covers an area of about 9,979 square kilometers. That's a lot of space to explore! The most famous part of its landscape is the Östgöta Plain. This flat area is great for farming and has been important for people living here for centuries.

The province is also home to parts of Östergötland County and Örebro County. It has a population of over 428,000 people.

Animals and Plants of Östergötland

Every province in Sweden has its own special symbols. These symbols often represent the nature found in that area.

Östergötland's Provincial Flower

The official flower of Östergötland is the Cornflower. These beautiful blue flowers often grow in fields. They add a splash of color to the landscape.

The Mute Swan: Östergötland's Bird

The provincial bird is the Mute swan. You can often see these elegant birds gliding gracefully on lakes and rivers. They are known for their long, curved necks and white feathers.

The Pike: A Fishy Symbol

For its fish, Östergötland chose the Pike. This is a common freshwater fish found in many of Sweden's lakes. Pikes are known for being good hunters in the water.

Exploring Östergötland's History and Culture

Östergötland has a rich history with many interesting places to visit. From ancient churches to grand castles, there's a lot to learn.

Famous Castles and Manors

You can find several impressive buildings here. Ekenäs Castle is a beautiful old castle, and Vadstena Castle is another famous one. It's located right by Lake Vättern. thumb|The Palace in Finspång Övralid Manor offers amazing views over Lake Vättern. These places tell stories of the past.

Ancient Churches and Abbeys

History is also found in the churches. thumb|Tidersrum Church, the oldest wooden church in Sweden Tidersrum Church is special because it's the oldest wooden church in Sweden. Vreta Abbey dates back to the early 12th century. The Linköping Cathedral in Linköping is a very grand and old church too.

The Göta Canal

A famous waterway, the Göta Canal, passes through Östergötland. It's sometimes called "Sweden's blue ribbon." This canal connects lakes and rivers, making it possible to travel across Sweden by boat. You can see locks along the canal, like the one at Söderköping.

Industrial Heritage in Norrköping

The city of Norrköping has an interesting past. It was once a big industrial center. Today, you can explore the "Industrial landscape" there. It shows how factories and mills used to work.

Language and Dialects

The main language spoken in Östergötland, like the rest of Sweden, is Swedish. However, people in Östergötland sometimes speak with a special accent or dialect called Östgötska. It's part of the larger Götamål group of dialects.

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