Öland [key], narrow island (1995 pop. 25,690), 520 sq mi (1,347 sq km), Kalmar co., SE Sweden, in the Baltic Sea, separated from mainland Sweden by the Kalmarsund. Borgholm is the chief town; there are many summer resorts on the island. Sugar beets, cereals, and vegetables are grown, and cattle are raised. Cement making and quarrying are important industries. The island also has some industries and a fishing fleet. Öland has numerous monuments dating from the Stone Age and was first mentioned in the 8th cent. It has often been a battleground in the frequent wars among the Scandinavian countries.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Scandinavian Political Geography
