WIP · World in Pocket

Southern Öland cultural landscape

Italy

Southern Öland cultural landscape

The agricultural landscape of southern Öland (Swedish: södra Ölands odlingslandskap) is an area of more than 56,000 hectares (140,000 acres) located on the island of Öland, Sweden. It includes Stora alvaret (great alvar), a limestone plateau of around half that surface. Stora alvaret is a dagger-sha

ped area almost 40 km (25 mi) long and about 10 km (6.2 mi) at its widest north end. This limestone plain, around a quarter of the surface of the island, is the most extended of its kind in Europe. As a result of the thin layer of soil and high pH levels, it presents a wide range of plants, including many rare species. The agricultural landscape of southern Öland was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, for the extraordinary biodiversity in this place, and its prehistory as well as the way how man has adapted to the natural conditions.

Listen to the audio guide for Southern Öland cultural landscape Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

Nearby