Dalarna | ||
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Coordinates: 60°52′N 14°44′E / 60.867°N 14.733°ECoordinates: 60°52′N 14°44′E / 60.867°N 14.733°E | ||
Sovereign State | Sweden | |
Land | Svealand | |
Counties |
Dalarna County Gävleborg County Jämtland County Värmland County |
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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 (Swedish pronunciation: [²dɑːlaɳa] 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 as foreign as Norwegian and Danish, Elfdalian. Historically, the people of Dalecarlia – called Dalecarlians, or Dalesmen (dalkarlar, masar) and Daleswomen (kullor) – have been famous for their independent nature toward authority.