Skanör med Falsterbo

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Skanör med Falsterbo


image_caption = Old part of Falsterbo
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Vellinge Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Skåne County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Skåne
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 = 5.42
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 6,861
population_density_km2 = 1265
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=55 |latm=24 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=12 |longm=51 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Skanör med Falsterbo is a city in Vellinge Municipality, Skåne County in southernmost Sweden. It is a conurbation consisting of the two former towns of "Skanör" and "Falsterbo", with a total population of 6,861 (2005). Both towns are located on the elongated reef-like western part of the Falsterbo Peninsula, Falsterbo to the south and Skanör to the north. The peninsula forms the southwesternmost tip of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It marks the border between the Baltic Sea and the Öresund Sound.

Geography

The town is situated about 30 km south of the city of Malmö. During the 20th century the town has become an affluent suburb for people working in the Malmö–Lund region, as well as a popular site among older people who have retired from higher positions abroad or in the capital.

The peninsula is divided by the Falsterbo Canal, a waterway at the base of the Falsterbo Peninsula that shortens the route between the Sound and the Baltic Sea.

History

The two medieval towns Skanör and Falsterbo were in 1754 united under the same mayor and thereafter regarded as one and the same city with the official name "Skanör med Falsterbo" [ [http://runeberg.org/nfce/0467.html Nordisk Familjebok, 1917] ] (which means Skanör "with" Falsterbo). Due to its small size Skanör med Falsterbo was the last city in Sweden to get a City Council (1934), but it had its own jurisdiction and a City Court (sw. "rådhusrätt") up until 1947. It is now a locality within Vellinge Municipality and has no administration of its own.

The town of Falsterbo can definitely be said to have existed in the early 13th century when the city, together with its close neighbour Skanör hosted the annual Scania Market ("Skånemarknaden"). As the market was dismantled during the 16th century the two cities lost their former importance, but retained the town privileges, but with joint administration. Thus Falsterbo and Skanör remained small fishing towns until the rail line from Malmö–Vellinge was built in 1904. Along the railroad, new residential areas grew up. The railroad was eventually closed down in 1971 and dismantled the year after.

Notability

Skanör med Falsterbo is known for the "Falsterbo Bird Observatory", since most migratory birds leave the Scandinavian Peninsula via the 5 km long reef south of Falsterbo. The very same reef, and the fine sand beaches on the peninsula, offers some of the best sea bathing of Sweden.

Skanör-Falsterbo also has an annual horse jumping show, the Falsterbo Horse Show.

References