- Address: Vänern, Getaland, Sweden
- Average depth: 27 m
- Area: 5650 sq. M. km
The largest and most important lake in Sweden is Vänern. It occupies the third place in its size in Europe after the Onega and Ladoga reservoirs.
general information
When answering the question about where Lake Vänern is, you should look at the map of the world. It shows that it is located in the south-west of the Scandinavian Peninsula, in the place where the Vermland, Dalsland and Vestra-Getaland are bordered. About 30 rivers flow into the reservoir, the largest and fastest of them is Karuelven, and follows - Geta-Elv, which has a Trollhattan waterfall .
On the lake there is a hydroelectric power station dam that serves aviation enterprises. There is developed shipping used for cargo transportation. Vein is part of the "blue ribbon of Sweden". This is the waterway between the capital and Gothenburg , which was created about 150 years ago.
Also through Lake Vänern passes the Geta canal and a waterway from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. The largest ports here are:
- Kristinehamn and Karlstad - in the northern part;
- Mariestad located on the east side;
- Lidchepping , which is located in the south of the pond;
- Venerborg is in the south-western part.
Description of Lake Vänern in Sweden
The reservoir has an area of 5650 square meters. km, its volume is 153 cubic meters. km, the length is 149 km, and the maximum width is 80 km. The deepest point of the lake reaches 106 m, on average this value is 27 m, and the altitude is 44 m above sea level.
Lake Vänern is located in the graben, which was formed after the end of the glacial period (approximately 10,000 years ago). The coast here is low and is represented by a rocky-woody surface with bays and bays, and the coastline is quite severely rugged. The water level fluctuates insignificantly, and the ice in the winter is unstable.
The largest islands on the lake are:
- Kollands - with a territory of 57 square meters. km, on which is the estate of Traneberg and Leske Castle;
- Tours - has an area of 62 square meters. km;
- Hammare - 47 square meters. km.
The rest of the islands are small. In the central part of the reservoir is the Yure Archipelago, which, together with the surrounding water area, is a part of the national park .
What is the famous lake Vänern in Sweden?
The reservoir is freshwater, and the water in it is very clean and transparent, it is close in chemical composition to distilled water. In the lake there is a huge amount of fish (35 varieties). Mainly:
- zander;
- trout;
- perch;
- salmon;
- vendace;
- whitefish.
Here fishing is widespread. Many tourists spend among themselves competitions for the biggest catch, because some inhabitants of the abyss reach 20 kg.
From birds on the largest lake of Sweden it is possible to meet:
- tern;
- seagull;
- heron;
- ibis;
- black-throated diver and other birds.
Lake Vänern has its own museum. It stores historical finds, for example, a sunken Viking ship with items of everyday life, photographs, documents and other exhibits related to the reservoir.
Around the tourist attractions are hiking trails and bike routes, there are specially designated places for picnics. Walking around the neighborhood, you can see the town hall, the old church and the palace, located in coastal settlements. On the lake there are cruising yachts and boats.
How to get to Lake Vänern in Sweden?
You can reach the pond from 3 provinces as part of an organized excursion or independently. From Stockholm to the nearest cities on the lake, tourists will get on a bus that takes the direction of Swebus and Tagab or by car along the E18 and E20 roads. The distance is about 300 km.