CALMAR, a sea-port town of Sweden, and the capi tal of a government of the same name, comprehending the eastern part of Finland, and the Isle of Oeland. It is strongly situated upon the Baltic, opposite to the island of Ocland, from which it is separated by the straits of Calmar, about seven miles in breadth. The streets of this town are regular, and cross each other at right an gles ; and the new town is large, though not very popu lous. It is fortified with thick walls, built of pebble stones found in tie sea, and by a few earthen ramparts, supported by another wall, which the sea surrounds on all sides except at the gate. The avenues are either full of marshes, or are cut off by the sea, which beats upon a rocky coast. A long mole. built with stone, ex tends along the sea side, and is defended by Fort Grim skar, erected on a rock about fifty paces from the mole, and surrounded by the sea. A garrison is constantly kept in this fort. On an eminence behind the old town stands the castle, which has the sea on one side, and on the other ramparts. bastions, and ditches full of water. This building, which has been erected at different times, is a mixture of Grecian and Gothic architecture. The
inscription " John HI. 1568," is over one of the doors ; but this must he the most modern part of the building, as the hall, 9 feet by 30. is still shown, in which the deputies of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway assembled, to choose their common sovereign. The palace, which was formerly the residence of the celebrated Margaret, is converted into a distillery. Calmar once occupied a different spot from what it does at present. In conse quence of being burnt down in 1647, it was built near to the Isle of Quaraholm. The commerce of Calmar was formerly very considerable, but a great part of it has been transferred to Stockholm. It exports annually about 20,000 planks, 560 tons of alum, and a great quantity of hemp and tow. About 70 vessels, from 100 to 300 tons, are employed in this trade. Drabs and several other woollen stuffs arc manufactured here. The town is nearly a mile in circumference, and contains about 500 houses. East Long. 60° 21' 45", North Lat. 56° 40' 30". (1r)