The South Swedish Upland (Map code: 7E SV)
Around the southern part of Lake Vättern the South Swedish Upland reaches its highest elevation, more than 300 m above sealevel with impressive landscape sceneries. Most of the upland is above the highest postglacial shoreline and covered by moraines formed from granites and gneisses. They are extremely rich in boulders and stones and cultivation through centuries have left impressive stone heaps and stone fences as witnesses of hard work. The finest soils are often found at top level, whereas slopes and valley bottoms are covered with coarse material. Exceptions are valleys filled with glacifluvial sands. From cores of prehistoric settlements colonisation of the upland was intense in medieval times. Rapidly growing population in the 19th century extended the cultivation to more and more unfavorable sites. Years of hunger preceded an extensive emigration to North America, peaking in the period 1860-1913. Forest has regained most of the scattered arable land from the 19th century. The old settlements in top level location have prevailed better and maintained open land for milk production.

Swedish Gazetteer

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Map Source: Lantmäteriet (Swedish National Landsurvey)

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