ABSTRACT
Öland is a 140 km long tapering island (Map 5.1) situated in the Baltic a short distance from the east coast of the Swedish mainland, now connected to it by the spans of the spectacular Öland bridge, the longest in Europe. The island is only 15 km across at its widest point. It is a very popular tourist area during the summer months, with fine sandy beaches. The summer residence of the Swedish royal family is here. By far the most spectacular topographic feature of the island is the central Alvar area stretching from the bridge down to the southern tip. This is an extraordinarly flat and extensive limestone plain with thin soils, sparse vegetation and poor drainage. It provides a number of unique plant habitats. The bedrock is exposed over large areas. The limestone of the Alvar plain is covered by glacial moraine deposits in the northern part of the island supporting substantial deciduous forest areas.
