At. the end of 1750 the population of Sweden amonnted to 1,785,727; in 1800 it reached 2,347,303; and at the end of 1850 it was 3,482,541, distributed as shown in the following table, which gives also the line, or provinces, into which Sweden is divided :— This area, increased by 8543 square miles of water not included In the lane, and tho population column by 03,070, the number of the inhabitants of Stockholm, the capital of the kingdom, gives the total area 169,831 square miles, and the total population 3,482,54Las before stated.
D;visiosts and Tesons.—Sweden is divided into throe great sections, of which the moat southern is called Obtaland, or Giita-Rike, the central section more properly Sweden, or Swea-Rike, and the northern Norrland. The towns of Sweden are very small There are only four or five towns whose population exceeds 10,000, and about a dozen are inhabited by more than 4000. Most of the smaller towns Ire inhabited by farmers, a few tradesmen, and mechanics.
I. Obtaland, or comprehends nearly the whole country south of 59° N. lat., and also that portion of the Region of the Mines whose drainage runs southward into Lake Wener. It was formerly divided into ten provinces, and now contains 13 fans. The island of Glothland constitutes part of it.
L Skane, sometimes called Seania, or Sehone», extends over the Plain of Scania, and the high ground which lies north of it, com prehending also a email portion of the table-land of Smillatid. It is divided into two Idns, Malmo-Lan and Christianstads-Liin.
a. Malmo-Liin extends over the south-western and best cultivated portion: it contains three towns with more than 4000 inhabitants, Maxi!, with above 9000; LUND with about 5000; and Ystad, which is on the south coast, has a good harbour (with however a narrow entrance), and about 4500 inhabitants, who carry on a brisk trade. Steamboats plying to Stockholm, Liibeck, Kalmar, Stettin, Stralsund, and Copenhagen, put in at Yatad. LANDSCRONA, on the Sound, is a fortress, and has a good harbour. Helsingborg is situated at the narrowest part of the Sound, opposite Helsingiir in Denmark, and has a harbour, and about 3000 inhabitants, who manufacture bats, ribaude, and cast-iron pots. Steamers ply daily on the Sound between Helsing berg and the Danish coast. The small island of Hieeen, in the Sound, on which are still some ruins of the observatory of Tycho Brahe, belongs to this hin. A statue of the great astronomer has been
recently erected on the island by the Danes.
b. Christianstads-Liin contains the eastern and northern and less fertile part of the plain of Seania, and a email portion of the table land of Smiiland. The capital is CIIRLSTIANSTAD.
2. Blekinge contains the whole maritime region of Blekinge, with a narrow strip of the table-land of Sm3land. It formi c. Carlskrona-Lan, which has for its capital CARLSRRONA, with above 12,000 inhabitants. The most commercial town ie Carlshamn, with 4200 inhabitants, and a good harbour, from which steamers ply to Stockholm. Sail-cloth, starch, and tobacco are manufactured, and ships are built.
3. Srulitand comprehends nearly the whole of the table-land and maritime region of Smiiland. It is divided into three Line, Calmar, Wexiii, and Jonkoping.
d. Calmar-Liin comprehends all the maritime region and a small portion of the table-land. Cat tan, the chief town, is the subject of a separate article. Wester -Mk, farther north, has a good harbour, and above 3000 it exports timber and the produce of the cobalt-works in its vicinity. Vessels also are built. The island of Oland is included in this hin, and has a population of about 35,000, who are engaged chiefly in agriculture and in fishing. The largest town is Berglio/as, on the west side of the island : population 500. The island is famous for its breed of small ponies; it abounds in forests, in which are many deer, wild boars, and feathered game. It is composed of a mass of limestone covered with fertile soil. It is traversed by good roads, and contains some curious specimens of antique church architecture.
e. Wexiti-Liin extends over the southern and lower portion of the table-land of Smliland. It is a poor country, but it has some mines of iron. The capital, IFtri0, has 2000 inhabitants. Paper and hats are made.
f. Jiiuki.iping-Liin extends over the northern and more elevated portion of the table-land : the soil is not much better than that of We,xiii-Lan, but the iron-mines are more considerable, especially those at the Tclberg. The capital, .Tilnkoping, is built at the southern extremity of the Wetter Lake, and has above 4300 inhabitants, and a considerable commerce with the countries that surround the lake. There are an arsenal and a manufacture of arms. Tho gold-mine of Adelforss is within this hin.