Vetlanda

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Vetlanda


image_caption =
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Vetlanda 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 = 9.87
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 12,691
population_density_km2 = 1286
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=57 |latm=26 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=15 |longm=04 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Vetlanda is a town in Småland, Sweden, and the seat of Vetlanda Municipality in Jönköping County. It has a population of 12,691 (2005).

Vetlanda was still nothing more than a village for several centuries. With the 1840s population boom in Småland, and the industrial revolution winning grounds in Sweden, the industry expanded and people settled in the village. With the railways crossing Vetlanda in the late 19th century the population further blossomed, and Vetlanda got the title of a city on New Year's Day 1920, at which time its population amounted to 3,015.

The coat of arms was selected as an ear of wheat, a derivation of the arms for the old jurisdiction Östra Härad, wherein "Vitala" was rumoured to have been the centre, that depicted three ears of wheat. The present spelling "Vetlanda" did not come into use until the 1920's, before that it was known as "Hvetlanda", a form that can be found in several companies and organizations.

In the 19th century, wood industry got a stronghold in Vetlanda, a seat it still has today. Manufacturing is large in Vetlanda, besides wood industries there is also a strong metal industries and other factories.

Notable natives

The most famous person from Vetlanda is artist Lena Philipsson.

Another famous person is sculptor Peter David Edstrom.

It is also the hometown of NHLer Johan Franzén

References