Östersund is an urban area (city) in Jämtland in the middle of Sweden. It is the seat of Östersund Municipality and the capital of Jämtland County. Östersund is located at the shores of Sweden's fifth-largest lake, Storsjön, opposite the island Frösön. It is the only city in Jämtland. The northern part of the urban area is located inside of the municipality of Krokom.
Lakeside view of Östersund in March 2008
Satellite image of Östersund and the island of Frösön.
Östersund and Frösön in February 2005
Storsjöodjuret (the Great lake monster) is a cryptid said to inhabit lake Storsjön. This figure has often been used as a symbol for Östersund, along with the moose (see above).
Jämtland is a historical province in the centre of Sweden in northern Europe. It borders Härjedalen and Medelpad to the south, Ångermanland to the east, Lapland to the north and Trøndelag and Norway to the west. Jämtland covers an area of 34,009 square kilometres, 8.3% of Sweden's total area and is the second largest province in Sweden. It has a population of 115,331, the majority of whom live in Storsjöbygden, the area surrounding lake Storsjön. Östersund is Jämtland's only city and is the 24th most populous city in Sweden. The historical province is one of the least densely populated.
Frösö Runestone
Jämtland does not mean "the even country" but rather "Jamts' land". In this picture the Viking Arnljot Gelline from Jämtland is seen moving through the landscape.
Petroglyphs in Glösa, made approximately 5,000 years ago, displaying primarily moose. Several internal organs have been painted out. The carvings are very similar to the ones found in Moelv in Trøndelag and also resemble the cave art in Altamira, Spain. A carved ram from Glösa appears in Krokom's coat of arms.
Frösön during winter. This island, named after Freyr, the Norse god of fecundity and love, was the regional centre of Jämtland for ages.
