Skåne

Skåne, also known as Scania in Latin, is the southernmost region of Sweden. It encompasses the historic province of Skåne (landskap) and the modern administrative county Skåne län, commonly referred to as Region Skåne. The region covers about 11,000 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 1.4 million people. The largest city and regional hub is Malmö, followed by Lund, Helsingborg, Kristianstad, and Ystad. Skåne is subdivided into 33 municipalities.

Geography and economy

Skåne features flat to gently rolling farmland with fertile soils, and a long coastline along the Baltic Sea to the east and the Öresund strait to the west. The southern tip reaches Smygehuk, Sweden’s southernmost point. The region includes coastal towns, forests, and protected areas such as Stenshuvud National Park and Kullaberg Nature Reserve. The economy blends agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and services. Lund University is a prominent educational institution, complemented by Malmö University. The knowledge sector is supported by research facilities in Lund, including MAX IV and the European Spallation Source (ESS) project.

History and culture

The area was part of Denmark until the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658, when it became Swedish. Today Skåne maintains a distinctive regional culture and a Scanian (skånska) dialect. A Danish minority and Danish cultural influence are recognized within the region.

Infrastructure and cross-border links

The Øresund Bridge, completed in 2000, connects Malmö with Copenhagen and has strengthened cross-border commuting and economic links with Denmark. Tourism, cycling, and coastal culture are important aspects of the region’s character.