OSTERGOTLAND

ln (county) of southeastern Sweden, between Vttern (lake) and the Baltic Sea. It has a land area of 4,078 square miles (10,582 square km) and consists of the landskap (province) of stergtland and a small part of that of Sdermanland. Lakes dot the countryside, which is drained by the Motala and other rivers. Although partly wooded, the county's land supports agriculture. Mineral deposits in the county include iron, zinc, and copper, and its industries range from textile weaving to stone quarrying. Most of the major towns, including Linkping, the capital, are in the lowland crossed by the Gta Canal. Pop. (1989 est.) 396,919.