Halland
From Freepedia
Halland ▶(?) is a historical province (landskap) on the western coast of Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Småland, Scania and the sea of Kattegat.
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County
Provinces serve no administrative function in Sweden today. Instead, that function is served by the Counties of Sweden. However, the province of Halland is virtually coextensive with Halland County, though parts of the province belong to Västra Götaland County and Skåne County. Historically, Halland also included the Danish island of Anholt.
Halland has a population of 287,558. Of these, 272,142 are counted among Halland County; 13,363 within Västra Götaland County, and 2,053 in Skåne County.
History
Historically the province of Halland belonged to the eastern part of Denmark, the so called Scanian lands, which except Halland also included Skåne and Blekinge.
Halland became a Swedish possession in 1645 by the Treaty of Brömsebro, initially for a period limited to 30 years. The conquest was later made permanent by the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658.
The island of Anholt, part of the parish of Morup, was however forgotten in the peace settlement, and the island remains Danish.
Heraldry
Halland was granted its arms at the time of the funural of Charles X Gustav of Sweden in 1660. The province is a duchy and the arms is represented with a dukal coronet. Blazon: "Azure, a Lion rampant Argent langued, armed and dente Gules." Unlike Blekinge, neither Skåne nor Halland had their own coat or arms while part of Denmark.
Geography
The streams of Lagan, Ätran, Nissan and Viskan flow through the province and reach the sea in Kattegat. Halland is well known for its good soil and as an agricultural district.
Cities
City status in Sweden required a Royal Charter and was (until discontinued in 1971) quite sparingly granted. The Danish Crown was more hospitable with granting royal charters, and the status of the Town in Scania thus differ some from the rest of Sweden.
Privileges to towns in Halland was during the Danish time granted to:
- Falkenberg (1558)
- Halmstad (approximately 1200)
- Kungsbacka (approximately 1400)
- Laholm (approximately 1200)
- Varberg (approximately 1100)
Hundreds
Hundreds of Sweden were provintial divisions until early 20th century, when they lost importance. Hallands hundreds were: Faurås Hundred, Fjäre Hundred, Halmstad Hundred, Himle Hundred, Höks Hundred, Tönnersjö Hundred, Viske Hundred and Årstad Hundred.
Culture
The language varieties spoken in Halland are together called Halländska, though they belong to two main dialectal groups. In northern Halland a variation of the Götaland dialect is spoken and in the south the spoken language is a variety of Scanian, formerly East Danish. The Småländska dialect spoken in the east, on the border to Smalandia, is not counted as Halländska.
Sights
The Varberg Fortress was built in the 13th century and improved with higher walls in the 15th century.
Dukes of Halland
Since 1772, Swedish Princes have been created Dukes of various provinces. This is solely a nominal title.
External link
- Halland - Tourist site
| Provinces of Sweden (Landskap) | Image:Sweden flag large.png |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
