The province of Gotland is not only a province, it is also the largest island in Sweden. With a population of around 60.000, it is not densely populated. That is during the winter. In summer the island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sweden.
The only proper town on Gotland is Visby, which is also a world heritage site due to it being one of Scandinavia’s best-preserved medieval cities.
Gotland was for a long time a commercial center, with Visby being an important Hanseatic city. Gotland has changed rulers many times after being a part of Sweden in the 13th century. Rulers included Denmark, the Victual Brothers, and the Teutonic Knights. It took until the Treaty of Brömsebro in 1645 for the island to be returned to Sweden and stay under the rule from Stockholm. It has through the centuries been considered an important strategic location in the Baltic sea.
Largest City: Visby
Province Flower: “Murgröna”, common ivy (Hedera helix)
Province Animal: European hedgehog
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