CARLSKRONA, or Blekinge, a laen or province of Sweden, bounded on the N. by Kronoberg, N.E. by Calmar, E. and S. by the Baltic, and W. by Christianstadt. It has an area of 5398 square miles, and (1873) 127,877 inhabitants. Its principal towns are Carlskrona, Carlshamn, and Soelvesborg. The smallest and most fertile province of the kingdom, it has a mild climate and has been called the garden or park of Sweden. The inhabitants are lively and distinguished for beauty, and the principal industries are connected with agriculture and forestry, fishery, and shipping....
Carlskrona, the capital of the above province, a seaport on the Baltic, in 56° 10' N. lat., 15° 33' E. long., 55 miles east of Christianstadt. It is named from its founder Charles XI., and is built upon five small islands connected with each other and with the mainland by bridges. The town is well built, consisting partly of brick and stone, but principally of wooden houses, and has broad streets. The harbour, which is fortified, is capacious and secure, with a sufficient depth of water for the largest vessels. It has three entrances; the principal, and the only one practicable for large vessels, is on the south side of the town, and is defended by two strong forts. The dry docks are of great extent, and have been cut out. of the solid granite rock. The arsenal and other buildings connected with the docks are extensive, and are separated from the town by a wall. The manufactures are naval equipments, linen cloths, tobacco, and refined sugar; the exports, metals, potash, tar, pitch, <fcc. The town is very deficient in good water. Carlskrona is the principal station of the Swedish navy. It is the seat of the Government and Admiralty offices, has a handsome town-hall, navy arsenal and hospital, naval and other schools, churches, and navy-yards. Population in 1873, 16,653.
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