*** Welcome to piglix ***

Dalarna

Dalarna
Coat of arms of Dalarna
Coat of arms
Sverigekarta-Landskap Dalarna.svg
Coordinates: 60°52′N 14°44′E / 60.867°N 14.733°E / 60.867; 14.733Coordinates: 60°52′N 14°44′E / 60.867°N 14.733°E / 60.867; 14.733
Sovereign State Sweden
Land Svealand
Counties Dalarna County
Gävleborg County
Jämtland County
Värmland County
Area
 • Total 29,086 km2 (11,230 sq mi)
Population (2009)
 • Total 276,505
 • Density 9.5/km2 (25/sq mi)
Ethnicity
 • Language Swedish
 • Dialect Dalecarlian
Culture
 • Flower Harebell
 • Animal Eagle owl
 • Bird
 • Fish Minnow
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

Dalarna (About this sound listen , English exonym: Dalecarlia), is a historical province or landskap in central Sweden. Another English language form established in literature is the Dales.

Dalarna adjoins Härjedalen, Hälsingland, Gästrikland, Västmanland and Värmland. It is also bounded by Norway in the west. Borders of the province mostly coincide with the modern administrative Dalarna County (län).

The word "Dalarna" means "the dales" (valleys). The area is a popular vacation destination for Swedes from the south, who often travel there to relax during summer vacations, drawn by good fishing lakes, beautiful campgrounds, and deep forests. Many such Swedes own or rent a second residence in Dalarna, where they are likely to have a vegetable garden and apple trees. In mid-June, summerfest celebrations and dances are held in many of the small villages and, of course, in the larger cities. Dalarna is a region full of historical associations, possessing strong local characteristics in respect of its products, and especially of its people. In the western district Lima, some people in villages speak a traditional dialect, Dalecarlian, while in Älvdalen, they speak a dialect closer to Norwegian, Elfdalian. Historically, the people of Dalecarlia – called Dalecarlians, or Dalesmen (dalkarlar="dale churls", masar) and Daleswomen (kullor) – are famous for their love of independence.


...
Wikipedia

...