Dalecarlia, or Dalarna, is a historical Province or landskap in the west of middle Sweden. It adjoins Herdalia, Helsingia, Gestricia, Westmannia and Wermelandia. It is also bounded by Norway in the west.

County

For current affairs see: Dalarna County

Dalecarlia has virtually the same boundaries as Dalarna County. The main exception is a smaller part to the north which belongs to Gävleborg County.

History

Main article: History of Dalecarlia

Geography

Main article: Geography of Dalecarlia

Dalecarlia was historically divided into chartered cities and districts. One of the districts was a hundred and the others were court districts.

Cities

• Avesta (1641 - 1686, renewed 1919)
• Borlänge (1944)
• Falun (1641)
• Hedemora (approximately 1400)
• Ludvika (1919)
• Säter (1642)

Districts

National parks

• Färnebofjärden
• Fulufjället
• Hamra
• Töfsingdalen

The southern part consists of plains, with several mines, most notably copper, traditionally forming part of Bergslagen. The northern part is mountainous, with many lakes.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Dalecarlia

A famous symbol of the province is the Dala horse or Dalahästen, a painted and decorated wooden horse. The Vasa race, a cross country skiing race over 85 km, is held annually, on the first Sunday of March, between Sälen and Mora, in commemoration of King Gustav I of Sweden of the House of Vasa. The mining area of the Great Copper Mountain has been named a UNESCO World heritage site.

Notable natives

Main article: List of Swedes

• Gustaf de Laval (1845-1913), inventor and engineer

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

• Prince August (1831-1873)
• Prince Carl Johan (from his birth in 1916 until his loss of succession rights in 1947)

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Dalecarlia

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."

External links

• Dalarna - Tourist site
• Profiles of over 200 relevant websites, primarily in English