Smögen

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Smögen


image_caption =
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Sotenäs Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Västra Götaland County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Bohuslän
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 1.04
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1,437
population_density_km2 = 1381
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=58 |latm=21 |lats=40 |latNS=N
longd=11 |longm=13 |longs=55 |longEW=E
website =

Smögen is a small town in Sotenäs Municipality, Bohuslän, Sweden. It is one of the liveliest "summer towns" of the Swedish West Coast.

The community actually straddled several islands that lay so close together that the space in between has since been filled, and is now considered as a single island. The southern part consists mostly of Smögen Island, which lies in the centre. Around this lies to the south Kleven, in the northwest Sandön, and in the northeast, Hasselön. The town is connected to the neighbouring town Kungshamn by Smögenbron (Smögen Bridge).

History

Smögen is mentioned for the first time towards the end of the 16th Century. The name of the comunity has varied over the years; amongst other names, from "Smögit", "Smöenn", "Smöget" and "Smygesund". The name has probably come from the Swedish word "smyghål", which translates as "sneak-hole" or "nook", referring to the narrow inlet between the Smögen island and where the harbour lies. Around the 17th Century, the island Hasselön was populated, and through the years this community has grown together with Smögen, and is today considered a part of the Smögen community.

Tourism

Smögen is well known today for its long, wooden pier (around 600 meters), filled with shops in old fishing huts, which are frequented by a multitude of tourists during the summer. Smögen is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Swedish West Coast, well known for it's fish, prawns and other sea-food, and one of Sweden's few fish markets is located here.

References