Österlen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Österlen (Swedish pronunciation: [œstɛˈɭeːn])[1]) is a region in the southeast of the Swedish province of Scania (Skåne).[2] Historically, the region was shared between the counties of Kristianstad and Malmöhus for a small part in the southwest, until Skåne County was created in 1997. Österlen includes the municipalities of Simrishamn and Tomelilla and a rural part of Ystad.
The towns of Simrishamn and Tomelilla are of very similar sizes, but the Simrishamn municipal population is somewhat larger. Österlen has approximately in between 35 000 to 40 000 permanent inhabitants but plenty of seasonal vacation homes means that the population soars during summer months.
The area is a tourist destination known for its natural environment, historic buildings, fishing hamlets, small towns and farmland.[3]