Ostergotland Lan is a pretty small region in the east of southern Sweden.
In the west are the lakes of Tekern and Omberg famed for their bird life as well
as their rich flora. The northern part is covered in forests and part being the
zoological park of Kolmerden.
The land consists mainly of primitive rock, which slowly rose and formed the
highlands in the southern and northern areas of the province during the glacial
period. These wooded mountainsides surround the productive flatlands of the
central area. In the west, the natural border is clearly marked by the broken
landscape and the coastline of Lake Vattern and the beautiful archipelago
facing the Baltic Sea to the east with countless small harbours.
Ostergotland was incorporated into the Swedish realm in the 12th century when
a local man was elected King of the country. Until the rule of King Gustav Vasa
and his centralisation of power, Ostergotland was an influential and wealthy
part of the kingdom. Many towns were founded with great religious, trading and
cultural activities characterizing this era.