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Karlskrona

Karlskrona
Skyline of Karlskrona
Skyline of Karlskrona
Coat of arms of Karlskrona
Coat of arms
Karlskrona is located in Blekinge
Karlskrona
Karlskrona
Karlskrona is located in Sweden
Karlskrona
Karlskrona
Coordinates: 56°9′39″N 15°35′10″E / 56.16083°N 15.58611°E / 56.16083; 15.58611Coordinates: 56°9′39″N 15°35′10″E / 56.16083°N 15.58611°E / 56.16083; 15.58611
Country Sweden
Province Blekinge
County Blekinge County
Municipality Karlskrona Municipality
Charter 1680
Area
 • Total 21.72 km2 (8.39 sq mi)
Elevation 16 m (52 ft)
Population (31 December 2010)
 • Total 35 212
 • Density 1,621/km2 (4,200/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 371 xx
Area code(s) (+46) 455
Website www.karlskrona.se
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Naval Port of Karlskrona
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Location Sweden
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iv
Reference 871
UNESCO region Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 1998 (22nd Session)

Karlskrona (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈkɑːɭsˌkruːna]) is a locality and the seat of Karlskrona Municipality, Blekinge County, Sweden with 35,212 inhabitants in 2010. It is also the capital of Blekinge County. Karlskrona is known as Sweden's only baroque city and is host to Sweden's only remaining naval base and the headquarters of the Swedish Coast Guard.

The city of Karlskrona is spread over 30 islands in the eastern part of Blekinge archipelago, Trossö being the main one;. Other populated mentionable islands are Saltö, Sturkö, Hästö, Långö and Aspö. The islet of Stumholmen was formerly property of the Navy and today it houses the National Naval Museum (Marinmuseum). Outside the city lies the archipelago of Karlskrona, the most southern of the Swedish archipelagos. Several islands are connected to the city by ferries.

The city was founded in 1680 when the Royal Swedish Navy was relocated from the Stockholm area to the Trossö island which had up until then been used chiefly for farming and grazing. At the time Sweden was the dominant military power in the Baltic sea region, but needed a better strategic location against Denmark, since southern parts of Sweden had been conquered only a few decades before (see the Torstenson War). The Swedish fleet tended to get stuck in the ice during winter while located close to Stockholm and was therefore moved south. The island had a very strategic position with short sailing distances to the German and Baltic provinces. The city name means Karl's Crown in honour of King Karl XI of Sweden, the name being inspired by the name of the city Landskrona.


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