Värnamo

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Värnamo


image_caption =
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Värnamo Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Jönköping County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Småland
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 = 11.89
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 18,469
population_density_km2 = 1554
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=57 |latm=11 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=14 |longm=02 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Värnamo is a town in Småland, Sweden, and the seat of Värnamo Municipality in Jönköping County. It has a population of 18,469 (2005).

Värnamo traces its history back to a village in the medieval age; the first written mention of it stems from the 13th century. It came into existence as a village to the eastern side of a fordable place over the River Lagan, a river that for large parts is difficult to travel by. As there are also smaller streams to the south and west of this location, it was considered something of a safeguard, leading to its name being "Värn" , which means safeguard, and "mo" which is a geographical location reference to the ground spruce trees grow on. It came to be the centre of the Östbo Härad (Old jurisdicial area "tax"), and a seat of merchancy; and was given formal rights as such when it became a "köping" in 1659, falling under the jurisdiction of the city of Jönköping.

The town of Värnamo was insignificant for a long time, but with the Swedish population growth and industrialization in the 19th century it expanded, becoming an independent "köping" in 1859. Dense forests and industrial water power spurned the furniture industry and forges run by water power. The Swedish railroad nets spurred to enhance its industrial life, leading to a population increasing from 1,141 people in 1910 to 3,664 in 1920 [2: Nordisk Familjebok] , and making it significant enough to get the title of a city on November 1, 1920, whereby it became one of the now only historical Cities of Sweden. The chosen city arms depicts the traditional location by the Lagan.

One of Varnamo's celebreties is Bruno Mathsson, who is well known for his furniture designs. A permanent exhibition of a selection of his work can be found at the Bruno Mathsson Centre, located next to the beautiful Apple Valley "Apladalen".

External links

[http://www.varnamo.se/snabblankar/english.4.18ff2710e077ef56080002927.html Värnamo Kommun, homepage for the municipality of Värnamo]
[http://www.visit-varnamo.com/default.aspx?lang=UK Visit-varnamo.com, Värnamo tourist information]

References