Skåne is the region in Sweden that lies closest to continental Europe. As early as the Viking Age the people of Skåne had trade relations with their neighbours on the other side of the sound, but these relations were not always friendly. Today relations are far better and a flourishing partnership has started.
There is a lot to be gained through this close partnership, for example in the areas of trade and industry, education and communications in the regions around Øresund and the Baltic Sea. These regions are major export and labour markets, and the future will bring increased educational exchanges and further tourism.
The Population of Skåne
The oldest settlements date from about 14,000 years ago and were discovered on the banks of Lake Finja in the northern part of Skåne. Cattle rearing and agriculture were introduced about 6,000 years ago. The inhabitants of Skåne settled down on the coast and by lakes and rivers. It is still possible to see remnants of the early structures.
Today, the population of Skåne is just over one million and it makes up around 13% of the nine million inhabitants of Sweden.