cities

Dalsland

Open on map More cities Spin a random place Ask WorldAI

Overview

Dalsland (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈdɑ̌ːlsland]) is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated in Götaland in southern Sweden. Lying to the west of Lake Vänern, it is bordered by Värmland to the north, Västergötland to the southeast, Bohuslän to the west, and Norway to the northwest. The province has a low population density of around 14 inhabitants/km2 and just one town of significant size: Åmål. The total population numbers 50,604. The uninhabited areas are characterized by dense forests in the northwestern uplands and lakes in the east, giving rise to the epithet, commonly used for Dalsland, of "Sweden's lake province". The Latinized name Dalia, which was often used to name Dalsland in older prints, can still sometimes be encountered.

Facts

Rank

—

Coordinates

—

Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia1,344 words

WBP editorial3

The rhythm of rural Sweden

Travelers who linger beyond the main thoroughfares discover a pace dictated by the land itself. In Dalsland, mornings often begin with the soft clatter of timber harvests, a reminder that forestry remains a subtle economic thread. Small villages host weekly markets where locals barter home‑preserved berries and smoked fish, offering a glimpse into communal sustenance that larger towns lack. The region’s waterways double as transport routes; renting a modest rowing boat lets you drift past farms that have been in the same family for generations, their red‑painted barns set against the birch canopy. This unhurried cadence encourages visitors to adopt a slower itinerary, swapping fast‑track sightseeing for quiet observation of everyday life.

Seasonal light for the outdoor enthusiast

Although Dalsland’s climate is modest, the angle of the sun across the year creates distinct experiences for active travellers. In late spring, the long daylight hours illuminate the dense pine‑filled uplands, making them ideal for multi‑day trekking when afternoon shadows are minimal. Autumn brings a crisp, clear sky that sharpens the contrast between the lake’s glassy surface and the surrounding foliage, perfect for photography walks and foragers seeking cloudberries. Winter’s low sun casts long silhouettes over frozen lakes, inviting ice‑fishing and cross‑country ski routes that remain uncrowded compared with more touristic regions. Planning visits around these light shifts maximises both safety and the sensory reward of the landscape.

Culinary quirks beyond the tourist menu

Beyond the familiar Swedish meatballs, Dalsland offers subtle gastronomic signatures rooted in its natural bounty. The local dialect’s term for a particular smoked trout variety hints at a preparation method that involves curing the fish over alder wood, imparting a faint, resinous note absent from standard smokehouses. In the upland villages, foragers gather fiddlehead ferns in early summer, which are quickly blanched and tossed with a dash of cloudberry jam—a contrast of earthy and sweet that reflects the region’s reliance on seasonal harvests. Small family‑run eateries often serve lingon‑infused cheese, a product of dairies that still age curds in cool cellar rooms, preserving a creamy tang that mass‑produced counterparts lack. These dishes offer a quiet taste of Dalsland’s self‑sufficient heritage.

Introduction

Historical province of Sweden This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Historical province in Götaland, SwedenDalslandHistorical province FlagCoat of armsCountry SwedenLandGötalandCountiesVästra Götaland CountyVärmland CountyArea • Total3,708 km2 (1,432 sq mi)Population (December 31, 2023) • Total48,602 • Density13.11/km2 (33.95/sq mi)Ethnicity • LanguageSwedish • DialectGötamålCulture • FlowerForget-me-not • AnimalRaven • Bird— • Fish—Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST) Map of the country roads through Älvsborg county and Dalsland in 1731. Dalsland (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈdɑ̌ːlsland]) is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated in Götaland in southern Sweden. Lying to the west of Lake Vänern, it is bordered by Värmland to the north, Västergötland to the southeast, Bohuslän to the west, and Norway to the northwest. The province has a low population density of around 14 inhabitants/km2 and just one town of significant size: Åmål. The total population numbers 50,604. The uninhabited areas are characterized by dense forests in the northwestern uplands and lakes in the east, giving rise to the epithet, commonly used for Dalsland, of "Sweden's lake province". The Latinized name Dalia, which was often used to name Dalsland in older prints, can still sometimes be encountered.

Geography

[edit] A typical lake in Dalsland View from the Kroppefjäll tableland, wherein an enclosed area is designated as nature reserve. No other part of Sweden has its area covered with as many lakes as Dalsland does.[citation needed] Of its total area, around 450 km2 (170 sq mi) is water, but a part of lake Vänern (Sweden's largest lake) is also belonging to the province. From the shores of Vänern, one can sail through the river systems up to the mythical lake Stora Le. Stora Le has a length of 66 km (41 mi), whereof 37 km (23 mi) are within Dalsland, and the remaining part within the Värmland province, with a bay into Norway. The terrain consists of 1/4 agricultural lands and 2/3 forested lands. The province's southern part are suitable for agriculture, but there is a shortage of man-power to cultivate it. Tresticklan is a national park in Dalsland. There are also several nature reserves. The Dalsland Canal was completed in 1868 and has 28 locks in its length of 254 km (158 mi). Sub-divisions[edit] Municipalities are local districts of administration, with elected councils. Within Dalsland's borders these are the municipalities: Bengtsfors Municipality Dals-Ed Municipality Färgelanda Municipality Mellerud Municipality Åmål Municipality Parts of Munkedal, Säffle, Vänersborg and Årjäng Municipalities, although all municipal seats of these four are outside Dalsland's borders. Dalsland was historically divided into one chartered city and five hundreds. The hundreds were provincial sub-divisions from the Middle Ages, but were discontinued in the early 20th century. Dalsland's chartered city was Åmål (royal charter in 1643). Its hundreds were: Nordal Hundred, Sundal Hundred, Tössbo Hundred, Valbo Hundred and Vedbo Hundred. They correspond approximately to today's municipalities: Nordal → Mellerud, Sundal → part of Vänersborg, Tössbo+Åmål → Åmål, Valbo → Färgelanda and Vedbo → Bengtsfors+Dals-Ed.

Elections

[edit] Dalsland is part of Västra Götaland County and does not have its own assembly. However, these are combined results from the five municipalities whose seats are in the province in Riksdag elections since the 1973 election, the first since the municipal merger. Riksdag[edit] Year % Votes V S MP C L KD M SD NyD Other 1973 90.6 31,885 1.7 38.3 39.0 7.9 2.1 10.8 0.1 1976 91.6 33,199 1.7 36.7 39.2 8.1 1.8 12.5 0.1 1979 90.4 33,314 2.2 38.0 33.1 8.0 1.9 16.7 0.2 1982 90.8 33,503 2.2 40.4 1.3 29.3 5.4 2.3 19.1 0.1 1985 88.7 32,724 2.6 40.3 1.4 25.7 12.3 17.5 0.1 1988 84.5 30,825 3.1 41.0 5.4 24.1 9.6 3.4 13.4 0.1 1991 85.5 31,079 2.7 35.7 2.5 18.2 6.5 9.6 16.3 8.1 0.3 1994 84.8 30,330 4.4 44.6 5.3 16.6 5.2 5.0 17.5 1.1 0.4 1998 79.5 27,527 10.4 37.3 4.3 11.6 3.4 14.8 16.1 2.0 2002 77.4 26,025 6.4 42.2 3.2 14.8 9.3 11.7 10.2 1.0 1.3 2006 79.2 26,173 5.0 39.7 3.5 14.7 5.2 7.6 18.4 3.0 2.9 2010 81.6 26,665 4.9 35.2 4.7 11.3 5.5 6.0 25.0 6.5 0.8 2014 83.7 26,802 4.0 35.1 3.6 10.6 3.3 4.5 16.5 19.8 2.5 2018 85.7 26,941 5.1 29.6 2.5 10.2 3.0 7.0 14.6 26.8 1.3

History

[edit] The first recorded use of the term "Dalsland" dates to 1508. Before then, the term used was "Dal", or "de Dal", literally meaning "Valley" or "the Valleys", which referred to two specific valleys in the southern area closest to Vänern. The area has around 5,000 localized ancient remains. They indicate the origin of the inhabitants to stem from the south and the province Bohuslän; dialectal studies and social aspects have come to a similar conclusion. In the 13th century, the inhabitants were referred to as "West Geats west of Vänern" by King Magnus Ladulås. The oldest provincial law from 1442 called the region "Dal in Västergötland". All sources point to them being a – remote – part of the province of Västergötland. The mountainous parts were at the time known as "markerna", meaning "hinterlands". Its exposed location near the Norwegian border made it subject to invasion, although to a lesser degree than the southern Bohuslän and Västergötland. It was first conquered around 1100 by the Norwegian Magnus Barefoot, who only held the province until King Valdemar Atterdag re-drew provincial borders. The Nordic Seven Years' War was particularly hard, especially 1568 when 281 farms were burnt. Other feuds that were negative for the province were those of 1611-1612, 1644-1645 and 1675–1679. The population has seen a decline since the 1880s, at the time numbering over 83,000, with emigration to North America and Norway accounting for most decreases early on. A census counts the local population to be 70,486 in 1905. These days, population numbers lie around 50,000. Åmål, the province's largest town, has however seen an increase from 3,858 residents 1905 to a current approximate 9,000.

Culture

[edit] People in the western part of Dalsland were believed to have migrated from Bohuslän, although probably long before that area was Norwegian. A distinctive feature in the Högsäter-area of Valbo Hundred was an inclination to brown eyes and dark hair, and a slightly rounder facial shape. The municipalities in Dalsland still makes frequent use of the provincial name, as the means to distinguish their history and culture from the rest of West Sweden. Culturally, Dalsland is as connected to Värmland as it is to the other neighbouring provinces Västergötland and Bohuslän. Tongue[edit] The dialect is a Swedish language variety known as the Dalbo-dialect. It is a variation of the Götamål dialect, and closest related to the other Götaland provinces, although it differs from them in the absence of a guttural R. Its location by the Norwegian border has also added some features. The dialects vary over the province, since it is mostly hilly but has some more densely populated areas near its borders. These areas have been influenced by the neighbour areas. One dialectal oddity is the norm for locals to say "bo på Dal", in English "live on [the] Valley", as opposed to the usual "bo i Västergötland", in English "live in Västergötland".