Malmö: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Malmö [˘malmøː] is a city and municipality in Skåne County, in southern Sweden. Metropolitan Malmö, with 536,190 inhabitants is the largest metropolitan area in Sweden after Stockholm and Gothenburg. Malmö is also a part of the transnational Oresund Region.

Geography and Location

Aerial map

History

Main article: History of Malmö

Main article: Politics of Malmö

Main article: Geography of Malmö

Malmö is known in Sweden as the city of parks. The largest two being Pildammsparken and Kungsparken. Malmö is part of the transnational Oresund Region and since 2000 the Oresund Bridge crosses the Oresund strait to Copenhagen. The bridge was inaugurated July 1, 2000 and measures 8 kilometres, with pylons reaching 200 metres vertically. Trains pass the bridge every 20 minutes and thereby connect the Malmö, Copenhagen and the Copenhagen Metro (inaugurated on Oct 19, 2002).

Main article: Economy of Malmö

The economy of Malmö was traditionally based on shipbuilding and construction related industries, such as concrete factories. The region's leading university, with associated hi-tech and pharmaceutical industry, is placed in nearby Lund. As a result, Malmö had a troubled economic situation following the mid-1970s. However, during the last few years there has finally been a revival. Contributing factors have been the economic integration brought about by the bridge, a new university and a wave of immigration.

Main article: Universities in Sweden

Malmö has the country's eighth largest teaching site (Malmö Högskola, MAH), established in 1998, with 1300 employees and 21,000 students (2003).

• University College of Malmö

Main article: Heraldry of Skåne

The city arms were granted in 1437 by King Eric of Pomerania. The arms of Pomerania is argent with a griffin gules, which gave the griffin's head to Malmö. The coat of arms for the city has also served as the basis for the arms of the province of Scania and Skåne County, with differentiation in colors. Blazon: "Argent, a Griffin's head erased Gules, crowned Or".

The city is gaining in popularity as a tourist destination. It retains much historical charm with an "old town" section filled with small shops. Every year a big festival, Malmöfestivalen, is held in August, this usually fills the streets in the centre of the city. Malmö also offers a late-medieval castle, housing a small city museum and a fairly large art gallery.

• August Palm (1849-1922), politician
• Felix von Luckner (1881-1966), sailor
• Frans Suell (1744-1818), businessman
• Lukas Moodysson (1969-), director
• Caspar Bartholin (1585-1629), medical scholar
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic (1981-), footballer

Nightlife A lot of bands tend to play at various venues or in the many plazas. These events are mainly centered around two places: Lilla Torg ("The Small Square") is encircled by trendy pubs and upmarket night clubs, while Möllevångstorget ("The Mill Meadow Square") houses run-down "slum pubs" as well as hang-outs for artists and good opportunities for live music.