Jämtland, Historical province in central Sweden
Jämtland is a historical province in central Sweden that extends across mountains, wide forests, and many lakes, including Storsjön, one of the largest inland waters in the country. The landscape shifts between wooded valleys in the east and bare high mountain ranges in the west that border Norway.
The province initially functioned as an independent territory with its own laws and came under Norwegian rule in 1178 after submitting to the crown. Sweden took control in 1645 through the Treaty of Brömsebro, which fixed the border permanently.
The name derives from Old Norse "Jamti," likely meaning "flat land by water," reflecting its position between mountains and lakes. Farmsteads still shape the landscape today, and many families have worked their holdings for generations following inherited methods.
Östersund serves as the main transport hub with rail connections and road links running east and west along the European route E14. The province covers long distances, so travelers should allow enough time for transfers between locations.
Cattle and goats are still driven to higher pastures in summer, where they graze on mountain meadows until temperatures drop again in autumn. This traditional practice shapes the seasonal rhythm of many farms and helps preserve valley vegetation.
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