VARMLAND

ln (county) of west-central Sweden, extending north from Vnern (lake) and northwest to the Norwegian frontier. It takes in most of the traditional landskap (province) of Vrmland. Much of its area forms a plateau, reaching a height of 2,267 feet (691 m) at Brnberget in the north. The well-forested region is deeply cut by several rivers and long, narrow lakes. Farmlands are restricted to the valleys and the southern lake-dotted lowland. Vrmland has channeled its timber and iron-ore resources into industrialization, namely, iron mining, lumbering, and papermaking. One of the most important industrial towns is Karlstad (q.v.), the capital. Vrmland is the setting for the novel Gsta Berlings saga (1891) by Nobel Prizewinner Selma Lagerlf. At Mrbacka, south of Sunne, is the house (now a museum) where Lagerlf was born, wrote most of her novels, and died. Area 6,789 square miles (17,584 square km). Pop. (1994 est.) 285,220.