Jonkoping Lan is a city in southern Sweden and the capital of Jonkoping
county. Geograpically Jonkoping County represents the northern
part of Smalandia.
Throughout the county, oats and rye are grown and cattle are raised. The city is
one of the leading industrial centres in Sweden, producing machinery, paper, and
textiles; it is also famous for its match industry, founded in 1844. Lake Vattern
and the Gota Canal link the city with the Baltic Sea. Points of interest
include several 14th- and 17th-century churches and a 17th-century courthouse. Jonkoping
was chartered in 1284. In the war between Sweden and Denmark in 1612, the city
was destroyed by its inhabitants to prevent sacking by Danes; it was rebuilt
shortly afterward and, in 1620, granted special privileges by King Gustav II
Adolph.
Jonkoping is famous as tandsticksstaden - the city of matches.
Sweden's first match factory was started here 1844-45 by the brothers Johan and
Carl Lundstrom. The production has closed down but today you can find the
matchmuseum in the largest factory.
In the county museum there is a great collection of John Bauer's paintings
(1882-1918). His illustrations of the Christmas book, "Bland tomtaroch
troll" - among Brownies and Trolls, are quite famous. In the museum you
will find exhibition about the inhabitants of Smaland ironworks, ceramics from
prehistoric times until today.
The nature reserve, Rosenlundsbankarna, offers beautiful nature and in the
Rosenlund area you will find one of Europe's largest adventure bathhouses, a new
concert house and the exhibition area, Elmia. Jonkoping is also known in
Sweden for its hockey team "HV71".Jonkoping has an international
airport, with daily connections to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Riga. The most
beautiful part of European Highway E4 passes through Jonkoping along the Lake
Vättern.