Dalarna

From Free net encyclopedia

There is also Norwegian region called Dalane.

Template:Audio is a historical province or landskap in central Sweden. It adjoins Härjedalen, Hälsingland, Gästrikland, Västmanland and Värmland. It is also bounded by Norway in the west.

Its Latin form, common in the English and other non-Swedish languages, is Dalecarlia or Dalekarlia. Places involving the element Dalecarlia still exist in the United States.

Dalarna
Image:FC-Dalarna, Sweden.png
The provinces of Sweden with Dalarna highlighted 		Image:Dalarna coat of arms.png
Land Svealand
Main corresponding County Dalarna County
Area 29,086 km²
Flower Harebell
Animal Horned owl



Contents

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County

Provinces serve no administrative function in Sweden today. Instead, that function is served by the counties of Sweden. However, Dalarna has virtually the same boundaries as the corresponding Dalarna County.

The main exception is a smaller northern part (Hamra), which belongs to Ljusdal in Gävleborg County.

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Geography

The geography is distinguished by lake Siljan in the middle part. And the Västerdal River and Österdal River that join into the Dalecarlia River.

The northern part of the province are within the Scandinavian mountain range, and are mountainous with many lakes. The southern part consists of plains, with several mines, most notably copper, traditionally forming part of Bergslagen.

Highest point is Storvätteshågna with 1,204 meters. Lowest point is at 55 meters, in the south-east part.

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Cities

Dalarna was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

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Other towns

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National parks

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History

The province was part of the Svealand kingdom in the medieval age, before Sweden's consolidation in the 11th century.

In the 16th century, the province became the refuge for king Gustav Vasa, wherefrom he gathered forces to fight the invanding Danish army in Stockholm.

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Heraldry

Arms granted in 1560, the use of two crossed arrows as a symbol precedes this. The province is also a duchy and the arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Azure, two Dalecarlian Arrows Or in saltire point upwards pointed Argent and in chief a Crown of the first."

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Culture

Image:Dalahäst i avesta.jpg Image:Leksandkvinna, 1911.jpg

Historically, Dalarna has enjoyed a rich and unique folk culture, with distinct music, paintings (often centered on Biblical themes) and handicraft. The province was also the last province to abandon the use of the Runic alphabet, a local dialect of which, the so called Dalrunes, survived into the 20th century.

A famous symbol of the province is the "Dala horse" or Dalahäst a painted and decorated wooden horse.

The Vasa race, a cross country skiing race over 90 km, is held annually, on the first Sunday of March, between Sälen and Mora, in commemoration of Gustav I of the House of Vasa.

The mining area of the Stora Kopparberget ("Great Copper Mountain") has been named a UNESCO World heritage site.

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Notable natives

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Dukes

Since 1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.

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Districts

The Swedish provinces were subdivided into Hundreds of Sweden, in effect until early 20th century.

In some provinces the sub-dividing was through districts. Dalarna had only one chartered hundred – the others were court districts.

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References

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External links


Provinces of Sweden (Landskap) Image:Flag of Sweden.svg
Ångermanland | Bohuslän | Blekinge | Dalarna | Dalsland | Gästrikland | Gotland | Halland | Hälsingland | Härjedalen | Jämtland | Lapland | Medelpad | Norrbotten | Närke | Öland | Östergötland | Skåne | Småland | Södermanland | Uppland | Värmland | Västmanland | Västerbotten | Västergötland
da:Dalarna

de:Dalarna la:Dalecarlia fr:Dalécarlie es:Dalecarlia hu:Dalarna tartomány sv:Dalarna

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