OLAND, an island in the Baltic sea, next to Gotland the largest belonging to Sweden, stretching for 85 m. along the east coast of the southern extremity of that country, from which it is separated by Kalmar Sound which is from 5 to 15 m. broad. The greatest breadth of the island is io m., and its area 519 sq.m. The centre of the island is more densely populated than either end. The only large town is Borgholm with about io,000 inhabi tants (1928). For administrative purposes the island is included in the Kalmar /an. From the raid of Ragnar Lodbrok's sons in 775 bland is frequently mentioned in Scandinavian history, and especially as a battleground in the wars between Denmark and the northern kingdoms. In the middle ages it formed a separate legis lative and administrative unity. A number of monuments of un known age exists, including stones (stensattaingar) arranged in groups to represent ships. Borgholm has one of the finest castle ruins in Sweden. The town was founded in 1817, but the castle, dating at least from the 13th century, was one of the strongest fortresses, and afterwards one of the most stately palaces in the country. The inhabitants were formerly styled Oningar, and show considerable diversity of origin in the matter of speech, local customs and physical appearance.
The island consists for the most part of Silurian limestone, and thus forms a striking contrast to the mainland with its granite and gneiss. Down the west side runs a limestone ridge, rising usually in terraces, but at times in steep cliffs, to a height of 200 ft.; and along the east side there is a parallel ridge of sand, resting on lime stone, never exceeding 90 feet. These ridges, known as the West ern and Eastern Landborgar, are connected towards the north and the south by belts of sand and heath; and the hollow between them is occupied by a desolate and almost barren tract : the south ern portion, or Alfvar (forming fully half of the southern part of the island), presents a surface of bare red limestone character istically weathered. The northern portion is covered with hazel bushes. Outside the ridges, however, Oland is well wooded, while the narrow strip of alluvial coast-land is good agricultural country. There are a few small streams in the island and one lake, Hornsjo, about 3 m. long.