# Stockholm Archipelago

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Stockholm_Archipelago
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Stockholm_Archipelago.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_Archipelago
> Source revision: 1322092418
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Archipelago east of Stockholm, Sweden

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Stockholm Archipelago" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Swedish. (March 2010) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Swedish article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must follow the LLM translation guideline, revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Swedish Wikipedia article at [[:sv:Stockholms skärgård]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated|sv|Stockholms skärgård}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation. (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Stockholm Archipelago Native name: Stockholms skärgård Map of the Stockholm Archipelago, covering the area from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south Stockholm Archipelago Geography Location Baltic Sea Coordinates 59°23′16″N 18°44′09″E / 59.38778°N 18.73581°E / 59.38778; 18.73581 Total islands 34,316 Major islands Dalarö, Finnhamn, Nässlingen [sv], Grinda, Husarö, Ingarö, Ljusterö, Möja, Nämdö [sv], Rödlöga, Tynningö, Utö, Svartsö, Värmdö Administration Sweden County Stockholm County Ramsar Wetland Official name Svenska Högarna-Nassa Designated 12 June 1989 Reference no. 435[1]

The **Stockholm Archipelago** ([Swedish](/source/Swedish_language): *Stockholms skärgård*) is the largest [archipelago](/source/Archipelago) in [Sweden](/source/Sweden), and the second-largest archipelago in the [Baltic Sea](/source/Baltic_Sea) (the largest being the [Archipelago Sea](/source/Archipelago_Sea) across the Baltic in Finland). Part of the archipelago has been designated as a [Ramsar site](/source/Ramsar_site) since 1989.[1]

Stockholm Archipelago has been found to have slightly over 24,000 [islands](/source/Islands), islets and skerries and covers approximately 1,700 km² of which approximately 530 km² is land. There are around 10,000 permanent residences and 50,000 holiday homes in the archipelago. Residents are found on all the larger islands closest to the coast that have fixed bridges or ferry connections with road ferries, such as [Vaxholm](/source/Vaxholm_Municipality), [Ingarö](/source/Ingar%C3%B6), [Värmdö](/source/V%C3%A4rmd%C3%B6_(island)), [Yxlan](/source/Yxlan), [Blidö](/source/Blid%C3%B6), [Ljusterö](/source/Ljuster%C3%B6) and [Väddö](/source/V%C3%A4dd%C3%B6), but also on many of the larger islands farther out from the coast, as [Ingmarsö](/source/Ingmars%C3%B6), [Möja](/source/M%C3%B6ja), [Runmarö](/source/Runmar%C3%B6), [Nämdö](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=N%C3%A4md%C3%B6&action=edit&redlink=1) [[sv](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A4md%C3%B6)], [Ornö](/source/Orn%C3%B6) and [Utö](/source/Ut%C3%B6%2C_Sweden), which are served by passenger ships with fixed itineraries.

## Water

The water has a [pH](/source/PH) value of 7.0 (neutral) or slightly lower, to be compared with approximately 8.0 for seawater. Together with [humic substances](/source/Humic_substance) this sometimes causes a bit brownish water colour, especially in the inner parts. The salinity varies between freshwater and [brackish water](/source/Brackish_water) with poor salinity. In the outer parts of the archipelago, the salinity reaches around 0.6–0.7 per cent by weight, to be compared with at least 1.5 for beginning to taste salty and around 3.0 or more for proper oceanic water. Sea ice is regularly formed in the inner parts every winter.[2]

## Geography

Korsö, Kroksö and Sandhamn islands

The archipelago extends from [Stockholm](/source/Stockholm) roughly 60 kilometres (37 miles) to the east. In a north–south direction, it mainly follows the coastline of the [Södermanland](/source/S%C3%B6dermanland) and [Uppland](/source/Uppland) provinces, reaching roughly from [Öja](/source/Landsort) island, south of [Nynäshamn](/source/Nyn%C3%A4shamn), to [Väddö](/source/V%C3%A4dd%C3%B6), north of [Norrtälje](/source/Norrt%C3%A4lje). It is separated from [Åland](/source/%C3%85land) by a stretch of water named [South Kvarken](/source/South_Kvarken). A separate group of islands lies further north, near the town of [Öregrund](/source/%C3%96regrund). Between [Arholma](/source/Arholma) and [Landsort](/source/Landsort) there are approximately 24,000 islands and [islets](/source/Islet).[3] Some of the better-known islands are [Dalarö](/source/Dalar%C3%B6), [Finnhamn](/source/Finnhamn), [Nässlingen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=N%C3%A4sslingen&action=edit&redlink=1) [[sv](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A4sslingen)], [Grinda](/source/Grinda), [Husarö](/source/Husar%C3%B6), [Ingarö](/source/Ingar%C3%B6), [Ljusterö](/source/Ljuster%C3%B6), [Möja](/source/M%C3%B6ja), [Nämdö](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=N%C3%A4md%C3%B6&action=edit&redlink=1) [[sv](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A4md%C3%B6)], [Rödlöga](/source/R%C3%B6dl%C3%B6ga), [Tynningö](/source/Tynning%C3%B6), [Utö](/source/Ut%C3%B6%2C_Sweden), [Svartsö](/source/Svarts%C3%B6) and [Värmdö](/source/V%C3%A4rmd%C3%B6n).

The biggest towns of the archipelago, apart from Stockholm, are [Nynäshamn](/source/Nyn%C3%A4shamn), [Vaxholm](/source/Vaxholm) and [Norrtälje](/source/Norrt%C3%A4lje). The village of [Ytterby](/source/Ytterby), famous among chemists for naming no fewer than four [chemical elements](/source/Chemical_element) ([erbium](/source/Erbium), [terbium](/source/Terbium), [ytterbium](/source/Ytterbium) and [yttrium](/source/Yttrium)), is situated on [Resarö](/source/Resar%C3%B6) in the Stockholm Archipelago.

The shipping routes from the Baltic to Stockholm pass through the archipelago. There are three main entrances suitable for deep-[draught](/source/Draught_(hull)) craft, namely, those near [Landsort](/source/Landsort), [Sandhamn](/source/Sandhamn), and [Söderarm](/source/S%C3%B6derarm).

## History

Depiction of the Stockholm Archipelago, c. 1740

The Stockholm Archipelago is a [joint valley landscape](/source/Joint_valley_landscape) that has been shaped – and is still being shaped – by [post-glacial rebound](/source/Post-glacial_rebound).[4][5] It was not until the [Viking Age](/source/Viking_Age) that the archipelago began to assume its present-day contours. The islands rise by about three millimeters each year. In 1719 the archipelago had an estimated population of 2,900, consisting mostly of [fishermen](/source/Fisherman). Today the archipelago is a popular holiday destination with some 50,000 holiday cottages (owned mainly by Stockholmers). The [Stockholm Archipelago Foundation](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stockholm_Archipelago_Foundation&action=edit&redlink=1) [[sv](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sk%C3%A4rg%C3%A5rdsstiftelsen_i_Stockholms_l%C3%A4n)], dedicated to the preservation of the nature and culture of the archipelago, owns some 15% of its total area.

The inhabitants in the archipelago, from around the mid-1400s to the end of the [second world war](/source/World_War_II), were combined farmers and fishermen. Spring and autumn fishing was quite intensive in the outer archipelago from 1450 until the mid-1800s, and many fishermen lived for long periods in the outer islands because of the long distances to their permanent houses in the inner archipelago. The combined farming and fishing culture lasted until around 1950–1955 when the younger generation, born during and directly after the war, started to leave the archipelago and look for jobs in the cities on the mainland. Today most of the small farms on the islands are closed and the fishing industry has almost disappeared.

## Culture

Many poets, authors and artists have been influenced and fascinated by the Stockholm Archipelago. Among them are [August Strindberg](/source/August_Strindberg), [Ture Nerman](/source/Ture_Nerman), [Roland Svensson](/source/Roland_Svensson), [Ernst Didring](/source/Ernst_Didring) and [Aleister Crowley](/source/Aleister_Crowley). [Björn Ulvaeus](/source/Bj%C3%B6rn_Ulvaeus) and [Benny Andersson](/source/Benny_Andersson) from the group [ABBA](/source/ABBA) wrote most of their songs in a cabin located on the archipelago.

Boating is an extremely popular activity with the sailing race [Ornö](/source/Orn%C3%B6) runt (or Around the island of Ornö) being the largest in the archipelago. This annual race, organised by the Tyresö Boat Club, has taken place every year since 1973. It is open to anyone with a sailing boat but requires registration. There are different entry classes, with the family class being the least competitive.

In the winter [skaters](/source/Tour_skating) make excursions over the ice.

## Travel

[MV Söderarm](/source/MV_S%C3%B6derarm) arrives at south of [Ingmarsö](/source/Ingmars%C3%B6) in March, 2010.

Visiting the larger islands in the archipelago is easy all year round, but during winter period the routes depend on the ice conditions. Several companies have regular routes. The largest of these is [Waxholmsbolaget](/source/Waxholmsbolaget) owned by the [Stockholm County](/source/Stockholm_County) government. Taxi boats are also available. The bigger and more populated islands of the archipelago, such as [Vaxholm](/source/Vaxholm), [Resarö](/source/Resar%C3%B6) and [Kullö](/source/Kull%C3%B6) are easy to reach via bridges and thus local bus services.[6] In summer the archipelago bristles with private boats filled with people who often take advantage of *[Allemansrätt](/source/Allemansr%C3%A4tt)* (or "everyman's right"), a law which gives anyone the right to go ashore or anchor on any ground not in the direct vicinity of buildings.

## Image gallery

		- Pier 'Gällnönäs'

		- Natural harbour at the island 'Sprickopp', 'Lilla Nassa' archipelago

		- Natural harbour at the island 'Svenska Högarna'

		- Maritime [pilot station](/source/Pilot_station) at 'Landsort'

		- The lighthouse and buildings at the island 'Huvudskär'

		- [Sandhamn](/source/Sandhamn) island

		- Bastugrundet in ice

		- The island of Norra Stavsudda

		- Islands in the Archipelago as seen from Björnö nature reserve

## See also

- [List of archipelagos](/source/List_of_archipelagos)

- [Strömma Canal](/source/Str%C3%B6mma_Canal)

- [Stockholm Archipelago Trail](/source/Stockholm_Archipelago_Trail)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RSIS_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RSIS_1-1) ["Svenska Högarna-Nassa"](https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/435). *[Ramsar](/source/Ramsar_Convention) Sites Information Service*. Retrieved 16 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Havet.nu | Nyheter, forskning och fakta om havet"](https://www.havet.nu/). *www.havet.nu*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Swedish islands"](http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0812/2008A01/MI0812_2008A01_SM_MI50SM0901.pdf) (PDF). SCB, The Swedish Statistics Agency. Retrieved 18 March 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Karna_4-0)** [Lidmar-Bergströrm, Karna](/source/Karna_Lidmar-Bergstr%C3%B6m) (1995). "Relief and saprolites through time on the Baltic Shield". *[Geomorphology](/source/Geomorphology_(journal))*. **12** (1). Elsevier: 45–61. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1995Geomo..12...45L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995Geomo..12...45L). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/0169-555X(94)00076-4](https://doi.org/10.1016%2F0169-555X%2894%2900076-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Sporrong, Ulf (2003). "The Scandinavian landscape and its resources". In Helle, Knut (ed.). *The Cambridge History of Scandinavia*. Cambridge University Press. p. 37.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["SL: Kollektivtrafik i Stockholms län – res miljövänligt"](https://sl.se/). *sl.se* (in Swedish). Retrieved 3 October 2025.

## Reference nautical chart

- [Nautical chart: International no. 1205, SE61, Baltic Sea, North, Sea of Åland.](https://web.archive.org/web/20150907105026/http://www.sjofartsverket.se/upload/378/Sjokortsbilder/61.pdf)

## Further reading

- Jeppe Wikström, title *Havsskärgård*, 2004. Mainly images from the outer parts of Stockholm Archipelago. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [91-89204-80-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/91-89204-80-8)

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Stockholm archipelago](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Stockholm_archipelago).

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Stockholm Archipelago](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Stockholm_Archipelago#Q764547)***.

- [The Archipelago Foundation](http://www.skargardsstiftelsen.se/)

v t e Inhabited islands in the Baltic Sea Denmark Bornholm Ertholmene Falster Lolland Møn Estonia Abruka Aegna Hiiumaa Kassari Kesselaid Kihnu Kõinastu Manilaid Mohni Muhu Naissaar Osmussaar Prangli Ruhnu Saaremaa Väike-Pakri Vilsandi Vormsi Finland Archipelago Sea Islands Åland Utö Bergö Björkö Emäsalo Eugmo Haapasaari Hailuoto Kallankari Islands Kaskinen Kaunissaari Kimitoön Kotkansaari Kråkö Kulosaari Laajasalo Larsmo Lauttasaari Munapirtti Mustikkamaa Pellinki Replot Suomenlinna Vessölandet Germany Dänholm Fehmarn Hiddensee Poel Rügen Ummanz Usedom Poland Uznam Wolin Russia Kotlin Sweden Alnön Blekinge archipelago Fårö Gotland Härnön Hertsön Holmön Öland Pitholmen Seskarö Stockholm Archipelago Hallonstenarna Stora Karlsö

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States Israel Other Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Stockholm Archipelago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_Archipelago) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_Archipelago?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.