Lake Mälar (Mälaren)

 
Lake Mälar, Sweden's third largest lake (after Lakes Vänern and Vättern), lies immediately west of Stockholm. 117km/73mi long, it extends through the provinces of Västmanland, Södermanland, Uppsala and Stockholm to the Baltic, with a total area of 1,140sq.km/440sq.mi.

It is irregularly shaped, its shores indented by numerous arms and inlets. Its principal tributary rivers are the Eskilstunaå, Arbogaå, Hedström, Kolbäckså, Svartå, Örsundaå and Fyriså. At one time Lake Mälar was an arm of the Baltic, but since the 12th century, because of a fall in the water level, it has been an inland lake.

Must-see attractions nearby:
Since 1943 the lake has been regulated to prevent flooding and to avoid unduly low water levels which would hinder the movement of shipping. Vessels with a draught of up to 5.5m/18ft can now sail from the Baltic to Stockholm on the Södertälje Canal and Hammarbyleden.

Around the shores of the lake - which are partly fertile and partly rocky - there are many castles, manor houses and estates. There are over 1,000 islands in the lake, with boat services to many of them (including Björkö) in summer. The principal towns on the lake are Stockholm, Västerås and, farther north, Uppsala.

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