Öland

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Second-largest island in Sweden

title: "Öland" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["öland", "islands-of-kalmar-county", "provinces-of-sweden", "swedish-islands-in-the-baltic", "important-bird-areas-of-sweden", "important-bird-areas-of-baltic-islands", "ramsar-sites-in-sweden"] description: "Second-largest island in Sweden" topic_path: "geography/sweden" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Öland" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Second-largest island in Sweden ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Öland
image_flag	Depositphotos 287286904-stock-illustration-flag-kalmar-county-county-southern (1).jpg
image_shield	Ölands vapen crowned.svg
shield_size	100px
image_map	Sverigekarta-Landskap Öland.svg
settlement_type	Historical province
map_caption	Location of Öland in Sweden
area_total_km2	1345.44
area_note
population_as_of	31 December 2024
population_total	26,892
population_density_km2	auto
timezone1	CET
utc_offset1	+01:00
timezone1_DST	CEST
utc_offset1_DST	+02:00
::

::callout[type=note]

| name = Öland | motto = | image_caption = Map of Öland | image_size = 200px | map = Sweden | native_name = | native_name_link = | nickname = Island of the Sun and winds | location = Baltic Sea | coordinates = | archipelago = | total_islands = | major_islands = | area_km2 = 1,342 | length_km = 137 | width_km = 16 | highest_mount = Högsrum | elevation_m = 55 | country = Sweden | country_admin_divisions_title = County | country_admin_divisions = Kalmar County | country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Municipality | country_admin_divisions_1 = Borgholm Municipality and Mörbylånga Municipality | country_admin_divisions_title_2 = | country_admin_divisions_2 = | country_largest_city = Färjestaden | country_largest_city_population = 5 018 inv. | population = 25,846 | population_as_of = 2016 | population_footnotes = | density_km2 = 18.63 | ethnic_groups = Swedish | demonym = Ölandish | additional_info = | module = {{Designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = Ramsar | designation1_offname = Öland, eastern coastal areas | designation1_date = 5 December 1974 | designation1_number = 18}}

Öland (, ; ; sometimes written Oland internationally) is the second-largest Swedish island and the smallest of the traditional provinces of Sweden. Öland has an area of 1,342 km2 and is located in the Baltic Sea just off the coast of Småland. The island has over 26,000 inhabitants.

It is separated from the mainland by the Kalmar Strait and connected to it by the 6 km Öland Bridge, which opened on 30 September 1972. The county seat Kalmar is on the mainland at the other end of the bridge and is an important commercial centre related to the Öland economy. The island's two municipalities are Borgholm and Mörbylånga named after their municipal seats. Much of the island is farmland, with fertile plains aided by the mild and sunny weather during summer.

Öland does not have separate political representation at the national level, and is fully integrated into Sweden as part of Kalmar County.

Administration

The traditional provinces of Sweden no longer serve administrative or political purposes but still exist as historical and cultural entities. Öland is part of the administrative county of Kalmar County (Kalmar län) and consists of the two municipalities of Borgholm and Mörbylånga. There was an Öland County in the short period between 1819 and 1826; otherwise, the island has been part of Kalmar County since 1634.

Heraldry

Main article: Coat of arms of Öland

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Öland_vapen.svg" caption="Coat of arms and flag of Öland, used since 1555"] ::

Öland was granted provincial arms in 1560, but it would not be until the 1940s that the province was assigned its proper ones. The arms granted to Öland had been mixed up with the arms granted to Åland and this was not discovered until the 20th century. While Öland changed its coat of arms, Åland, which was now a Finnish (autonomous) province, kept its established but originally unintended coat of arms. The deer is meant to symbolize the status of Öland as a royal game park and the arms are topped by a ducal crown. Blazon: "Azure a Deer Or attired, hoofed and gorged Gules".

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Öland_Gettlinge.jpg" caption="Iron Age burial ground at Gettlinge"] ::

Archaeological evidence indicates the island of Öland was settled about 8000 BC, with excavations dating from the Paleolithic era showing the presence of hunter-gatherers. In the early Stone Age, settlers from the mainland migrated across the ice bridge that connected the island across the Kalmar Strait.

Evidence of habitation of Öland occurred at least as early as 6000 BC, when there were Stone Age settlements at Alby and other locations on the island. Burial grounds from the Iron Age through the Viking Age are clearly visible at Gettlinge, Hulterstad and other places on the perimeter ridge including stone ships. There are nineteen Iron Age ringforts identified on the island, only one of which, Eketorp, has been completely excavated, yielding over 24,000 artifacts. Around 900 AD, Wulfstan of Hedeby called the island "Eowland", the land of the Eowans: ::quote[attribution="land of the Burgundians]], we had on our left the lands that have been called from the earliest times [[Blekinge]]y, and [[Möre"] Then, after the [[Bornholm ::

However, this is not the first mention of the Eowans. There is an even earlier mention of the tribe in the Anglo-Saxon poem Widsith: and Gefwulf the Jutes, Finn Folcwalding The Frisian clan. Sigar longest ruled the sea-Danes}}

Scholars such as Schütte and Kendrick have pointed out that there was probably an even earlier mention of the people of Öland in 98 AD, by Tacitus, who called them the "Aviones":

::quote[attribution="Langobardi]] come the [[Reudigni]], Auiones, [[Angli]], [[Warini]], [[Eudoses]], [[Suarines]] and [[Nuithones]] all well guarded by rivers and forests. There is nothing remarkable about any of these tribes unless the common worship of [[Nerthus]], that is Earth Mother, is considered. They believed she was interested in men's affairs and walked among them. On an island in the ocean sea there is a sacred grove where a holy wagon covered by a drape awaits.Tacitus, ''[[Germania (book)"] After the [[Lombards ::

In Swedish history, the island long served as a royal game park; Ottenby and Halltorp were in particular selected by the Swedish Crown in the Middle Ages as royal game reserves.

Geography

Öland is the second largest of the islands of Sweden and was historically divided into one chartered city and five hundreds.

Cities and villages

Alby
Bläsinge
Borgholm (1816)
Gårdby
Gettlinge
Eriksöre
Fagerum
Färjestaden
Hulterstad
Köpingsvik
Mörbylånga
Norra Möckleby
Öjkroken
Ottenby
Seby
Segerstad
Södra Sandby
Stenåsa

Hundreds

Facts

Highest Hill: Högsrum, 55 m
Largest lake: Hornsjön
Length: 137 km
Width (at widest point): 16 km

Climate

Öland has a semi-continental oceanic climate with considerable temperature differences between summer and winter. There are two main weather stations, one located at the northern edge and the other at the southern edge. In spite of the more northerly latitude, Öland's northern edge is far milder than its southern edge, since air warm over greater surrounding landmasses during days, whilst retaining heavy maritime features during night. It is also more representative for the island's general climate, with only the deep south being much cooler down a narrow peninsula.

|width = auto |location = Öland's Northern Edge, temperature 2002–2021; sunshine June 2008–2018; extremes since 1901 |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 10.8 |Feb record high C = 14.5 |Mar record high C = 17.3 |Apr record high C = 23.3 |May record high C = 28.5 |Jun record high C = 32.0 |Jul record high C = 31.5 |Aug record high C = 31.0 |Sep record high C = 26.6 |Oct record high C = 22.1 |Nov record high C = 16.3 |Dec record high C = 12.1 |year record high C = |Jan avg record high C = 7.5 |Feb avg record high C = 7.7 |Mar avg record high C = 13.4 |Apr avg record high C = 17.5 |May avg record high C = 22.6 |Jun avg record high C = 26.8 |Jul avg record high C = 28.0 |Aug avg record high C = 26.9 |Sep avg record high C = 22.9 |Oct avg record high C = 16.9 |Nov avg record high C = 11.7 |Dec avg record high C = 8.4 |year avg record high C = 29.2 |Jan high C = 2.6 |Feb high C = 2.6 |Mar high C = 5.3 |Apr high C = 9.3 |May high C = 14.4 |Jun high C = 20.1 |Jul high C = 22.7 |Aug high C = 22.1 |Sep high C = 17.8 |Oct high C = 11.6 |Nov high C = 7.4 |Dec high C = 4.3 |year high C = |Jan mean C = 0.9 |Feb mean C = 0.8 |Mar mean C = 2.8 |Apr mean C = 6.3 |May mean C = 11.6 |Jun mean C = 16.3 |Jul mean C = 19.2 |Aug mean C = 18.8 |Sep mean C = 15.1 |Oct mean C = 9.6 |Nov mean C = 5.8 |Dec mean C = 2.8 |year mean C = |Jan low C = -0.9 |Feb low C = -1.1 |Mar low C = 0.3 |Apr low C = 3.3 |May low C = 7.7 |Jun low C = 12.5 |Jul low C = 15.6 |Aug low C = 15.5 |Sep low C = 12.3 |Oct low C = 7.6 |Nov low C = 4.2 |Dec low C = 1.2 |year low C = |Jan avg record low C = -6.0 |Feb avg record low C = -6.1 |Mar avg record low C = -4.5 |Apr avg record low C = -0.5 |May avg record low C = 3.1 |Jun avg record low C = 8.4 |Jul avg record low C = 12.1 |Aug avg record low C = 11.8 |Sep avg record low C = 8.3 |Oct avg record low C = 2.6 |Nov avg record low C = -0.8 |Dec avg record low C = -3.9 |year avg record low C = -8.1 |Jan record low C = -24.5 |Feb record low C = -28.0 |Mar record low C = -25.2 |Apr record low C = -14.0 |May record low C = -2.0 |Jun record low C = 2.1 |Jul record low C = 8.2 |Aug record low C = 8.2 |Sep record low C = 3.2 |Oct record low C = -2.5 |Nov record low C = -7.0 |Dec record low C = -13.8 |year record low C = -28.0 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 28.8 |Feb precipitation mm = 19.4 |Mar precipitation mm = 20.8 |Apr precipitation mm = 16.2 |May precipitation mm = 23.6 |Jun precipitation mm = 36.3 |Jul precipitation mm = 54.7 |Aug precipitation mm = 49.9 |Sep precipitation mm = 22.7 |Oct precipitation mm = 42.8 |Nov precipitation mm = 39.3 |Dec precipitation mm = 31.5 |year precipitation mm = |Jan sun = 39 |Feb sun = 57 |Mar sun = 166 |Apr sun = 254 |May sun = 323 |Jun sun = 322 |Jul sun = 315 |Aug sun = 263 |Sep sun = 188 |Oct sun = 90 |Nov sun = 42 |Dec sun = 33 |year sun = |source 1 = SMHI Open Data for Ölands norra udde, temperature{{cite web | url = https://www.smhi.se/data/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer#param=airTemperatureMinAndMaxOnceEveryDay,stations=all,stationid=77220 |title= SMHI Open Data for Ölands norra udde, temperature | publisher = Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute | language = sv|accessdate = 11 May 2022}} |source 2 = SMHI Open Data for Ölands norra udde, precipitation{{cite web | url = https://www.smhi.se/data/meteorologi/ladda-ner-meteorologiska-observationer#param=precipitationMonthlySum,stations=all,stationid=77220 |title = SMHI Open Data for Ölands norra udde, precipitation | publisher = SMHI| language=sv |accessdate = 11 May 2022}} |date=May 2022}}

|location = Öland's Southern Edge (2002-2020; precipitation 1961-1990; extremes since 1937) |width = auto |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |Jan record high C = 9.8 |Feb record high C = 8.3 |Mar record high C = 12.6 |Apr record high C = 16.3 |May record high C = 21.2 |Jun record high C = 25.7 |Jul record high C = 28.7 |Aug record high C = 27.9 |Sep record high C = 26.5 |Oct record high C = 17.5 |Nov record high C = 13.3 |Dec record high C = 10.5 |year record high C = 28.7 |Jan high C = 2.8 |Feb high C = 2.4 |Mar high C = 4.3 |Apr high C = 8.0 |May high C = 12.1 |Jun high C = 16.5 |Jul high C = 19.4 |Aug high C = 19.8 |Sep high C = 17.1 |Oct high C = 11.8 |Nov high C = 8.1 |Dec high C = 5.3 |year high C = |Jan mean C = 1.3 |Feb mean C = 0.9 |Mar mean C = 2.5 |Apr mean C = 5.8 |May mean C = 9.9 |Jun mean C = 14.4 |Jul mean C = 17.0 |Aug mean C = 17.5 |Sep mean C = 14.9 |Oct mean C = 10.0 |Nov mean C = 6.6 |Dec mean C = 3.5 |year mean C = |Jan low C = -0.2 |Feb low C = -0.5 |Mar low C = 0.6 |Apr low C = 3.5 |May low C = 7.6 |Jun low C = 12.4 |Jul low C = 14.9 |Aug low C = 15.2 |Sep low C = 12.8 |Oct low C = 8.1 |Nov low C = 5.1 |Dec low C = 1.8 |year low C = |Jan record low C = -23.0 |Feb record low C = -20.4 |Mar record low C = -20.9 |Apr record low C = -8.7 |May record low C = -1.3 |Jun record low C = 2.8 |Jul record low C = 7.9 |Aug record low C = 6.4 |Sep record low C = 2.5 |Oct record low C = -4.2 |Nov record low C = -9.2 |Dec record low C = -15.9 |year record low C = -23.0 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 33 |Feb precipitation mm = 24 |Mar precipitation mm = 25 |Apr precipitation mm = 24 |May precipitation mm = 27 |Jun precipitation mm = 30 |Jul precipitation mm = 41 |Aug precipitation mm = 39 |Sep precipitation mm = 41 |Oct precipitation mm = 35 |Nov precipitation mm = 43 |Dec precipitation mm = 37 |year precipitation mm = 400 |source 1 = SMHI |source 2=SMHI Monthly Data 2002-2015}}

Environment

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Olandeketorp.jpg" caption="Stora Alvaret on southeast of Öland with Eketorp Fortress in background"] ::

The dominant environmental feature of the island is the Stora Alvaret, a limestone pavement which is the habitat of numerous rare and endangered species. The first known scientific study of the biota of the Stora Alvaret occurred in the year 1741 with the visit of Linnaeus. The underlying bedrock layer is mainly Cambrian sandstone and alum chert, and Ordovician limestone that dates from an approximate range of 540 to 450 million years ago. The Cambrian trilobite Eccaparadoxides oelandicus is named after the island.

Öland is served by a perimeter highway, Route 136. In 2011 the Gripen Gas company filed a request for test drilling on Öland for natural gas. The request was approved by Bergsstaten, the governmental agency responsible for handling geological issues regarding prospecting. The approval has been met with criticism on the municipal and county administrative levels, citing that the many cracks in the limestone bedrock could cause the groundwater to become contaminated by the gas prospecting.

Important Bird Area

The eastern coast of Öland, including its grazed meadows, marshes, chalk cliffs and sandbanks, has been designated an 30,000 ha Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a suite of waterfowl, waders and terns, as well as breeding white-tailed sea-eagles.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Öland

The Borgholm Castle was built between 1669 and 1681 for Queen Hedvig Eleonora, and designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. In its vicinity sits the Solliden Palace, summer home to the royal family.

The limestone pavement habitat of southern Öland, known as Stora Alvaret, has been entered as a site of the UNESCO World Heritage program. Features of this are the many rare species found; prehistory sites such as Gettlinge and Eketorp; numerous old wooden windmills left standing, some of which date to the 17th century; and the special geological alvar landscape.

For a decade, Öland has been organizing an annual harvest festival called Skördefesten that takes place every October. In terms of this event, the island's farmers gather with farmers from the rest of the country and sell their crops and let those that are interested take part in everyday life on their farms, among other activities. There are also many art exhibitions for display during Skördefesten especially during the art night Konstnatten.

The romantic poet Erik Johan Stagnelius was born in the Öland parish of Gärdslösa in 1793 and lived there until 16 years of age. He wrote several poems about the island. More modern writers living on or writing about Öland include novelist Margit Friberg (1904–1997), poet Anna Rydstedt (1928–1994), novelist Birgitta Trotzig (1929-2011), poet Lennart Sjögren (1930-), children novelist Eva Bexell (1945-), poet Tom Hedlund (1945-), novelist Johan Theorin (1963-), poet and novelist Magnus Utvik (1964-) and novelist Per Planhammar (1965-).

Transport

The island is served by Kalmar Öland Airport which provides direct routes to Stockholm which are operated by Scandinavian Airlines. However, the airport is located 17 km on the mainland near the city of Kalmar, which is easily accessible by crossing over the Öland bridge.

Skördefest

Skördefest is an annual harvest festival on Öland, held every September, which attracts thousands of visitors. Pumpkins are placed upon the top of bales of hay, a signal to buyers that fall harvest goods are available for sale at the location. In Borgholm, a pumpagubbe (pumpkin man), a large scarecrow like figure, built entirely of gourds, is erected at town center. The pumpagubbe celebrates the bounty of the Fall Harvest.

Sports

Football in the province is administered by Smålands Fotbollförbund. Each year the King's Rally, a vintage motorcade, takes place in Öland.

References

"Folkmängd 31 december; ålder".
(21 March 2017). "Folkmängd i landskapen den 31 december 2016". [[Statistics Sweden]].
"Öland, eastern coastal areas".
(May 2025). "Öland". [[Oxford University Press]] }}{{Dead link.
{{Cite Merriam-Webster. Öland
C. M. Hogan, ''The Stora Alvaret of Öland'', Lumina Technologies, Aberdeen Library Archives, 9 July 2006
Hakluyt, Richard. (1 May 2003). "The Discovery of Muscovy".
"Northvegr – Saga Book".
"Northvegr - A History of the Vikings".
Tacitus, ''[[Germania (book). Germania]]''.
"Korta fakta om Öland".
"Precipitation Normals 1961-1990 (Swedish)". Swedish Metereological and Hydrological Institute (Ölands södra udde code 6612).
(28 March 2016). "Monthly and Yearly Statistics (Swedish)". SMHI.
Carolus Linnaeus, ''Species Plantarum'', [[Uppsala]], Sweden (1753)
L.K. Königsson, ''The [[Holocene]] History of the Great Alvar of Öland'', Acta Phytogeographica Suecica 55, Uppsala (1968)
"Stenar och fossil", Per H Lundegårdh, Krister Brood, {{ISBN. 91-518-3441-3, page 292.
"d".
. (2024). ["Coastal area (including seaside meadows) of Eastern Öland"](https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/853). *BirdLife International*.
Hakan Sandbring and Martin Borg, ''Oland: Island of Stone and Green'', May 1997
"The King and Queen take part in the King's Rally". Swedish Royal House.

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