Jämtland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jämtland (help·info), is a historical province or landskap in the center of Sweden. It borders onto Härjedalen, Medelpad, Ångermanland, Lapland and Norway. A special local dialect, Jamtlandic, is traditionally spoken in the province, if not widely used in daily life nowadays.

**Jämtland**
The provinces of Sweden with Jämtland highlighted
	Land	Norrland
	Main corresponding county	Jämtland County
	Area	34,009 km²
	Flower	Orchid (Gymnadenia nigra)
	Animal	Elk

1 County
2 History
- 2.1 Republic of Jämtland
3 Geography
4 Natives
5 Culture
6 Heraldry
7 Dukes of Jämtland
8 External links

[edit] County

For current affairs see: Jämtland County

Jamtland makes up three quarters of the Swedish province Jämtland County, and is almost entirely contained within its boundaries.

[edit] History

Jamtland was historically an independent kingless state governed by the annual thing called Jamtamót, but was defeated in 1178 by king Sverre of Norway after losing the Battle at the ice of Storsjön. This was the last war fought by the people of Jamtland under their own elected leaders. In 1645 the then Danish-Norwegian province was ceded to Sweden by the Treaty of Brömsebro.

[edit] Republic of Jämtland

Unofficial flag of the self-styled "Republic of Jämtland"

In the 1960s, an independence movement calling itself the "Republic of Jämtland" was created by humorist/actor/director Yngve Gamlin. Motivated on paper as an attempt to return the province to Jamtish control, the republic was given some form of recognition in 1967 when Mr. Gamlin was invited to an event for visiting statesmen hosted by Swedish prime minister Tage Erlander. Described in some sources as a form of criticism against centralized Swedish government and in others as a marketing ploy, it is likely that both played some part in its foundation (Republic officials typically describe it as "51 per cent serious"). The republic has a self-styled flag and national anthem (Jämtlandssången) and the independence movement hosts the annual Storsjöyran event in the capital, Östersund.

[edit] Geography

Beautiful summer scenery in Jämtland

Lakes and mountains typical of Jämtland

Jamtland was historically divided into one chartered city and several districts.

[edit] Cities & Towns

[edit] Districts

[edit] Facts

Highest mountain: Storsylen, 1.762 meters¹
Other mountains: Åreskutan, 1420 meters
Largest lake: Storsjön

¹The peak of the mountain is actually located a few meters into Norway, which makes the 1.728 meter summit (named Storsola) of Templet, another mountain in the Sylarna massif, the highest point within the borders of the province proper.

[edit] Natives

Ann-Margret, actress, singer
Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, composer
Ulf Dahlén, hockey player
Henrik Lundqvist,Rangers hockey player
Emma Härdelin, singer in bands Garmarna and Triakel

[edit] Culture

The history of Jämtland is exhibited in the regional museum Jamtli in Östersund. The museum consists of an open-air section with historic buildings, as well as an indoor museum which houses exhibitions about the regions cultural history, from the stone age until modern times.

A local dog, Jämthund, is a canine breed, named after the province. Since the end of the last ice age, the dogs have been friends and helpers of man. Even if it is not explicitly stated, popular perception holds that the dog depicted in the coat of arms is of that breed.

According to legend it is believed that Storsjön (literally the Large Lake) harbors a large lake creature, Storsjöodjuret. There are witness reports but the creature’s existence remains to be established conclusively. Regardless of any proven existence, Storsjöodjuret was officially placed under the protection of a degree issued in 1986 by the County Administrative Board in order to guarantee its safety from hunters and fortune seekers.

[edit] Heraldry

The arm is represented with a ducal coronet. Blazon:

Azure moose passant argent armed gules attacked from behind by a falcon volant and from in front by a dog rampant to the sinister or.

English translation:

On a blue background, a silver moose walks with a reared falcon on its back and a hound on its haunches, facing the left. Both animals are fashioned in gold.