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MalmMalm () is the largest city in Scania (Skne in Swedish) and southern Sweden. Together with the smaller town of Arlv in the north and the incorporated town of Limhamn in the south Malm constitutes a conurbation with with a population of 250,000 inhabitants. The municipality of Malm has a population of 270,000, and refers to itself as Malm stad (literally: "the City of Malm"). Malm is the principal town in the metropolitan area of South-Western Scania, with some 500,000 inhabitants, which together with Metropolitan Copenhagen in Denmark forms the southern part of the Oresund Region, with a population of 3,500,000 inhabitants. Malm was one of the earliest and most industrialized towns of Scandinavia but is now struggling with unemployment and the adaption to post-industrialism. For different reasons -- its geographical location being one -- Malm has in the last decades also become Sweden's most multicultural city with more than a third of the population being first or second generation immigrants. History Main article: History of Malm Malm is held to have been founded in 1254, the year of Copenhagen's first town privileges, or in the immediately following years, as the archbishop's of Lund fortified quay or ferry berth, situated 15 kilometres from Lund at the resund shore opposite to Copenhagen. In the ensuing century, Malm and Copenhagen would rise in economic importance, and until this day this pattern has persisted. Despite Lund (and to lesser degree Roskilde) being culturally of much greater importance, Malm and Copenhagen have been centers for industrious and economic success. The disunity between the burghers of Lund and Malm has remained a fundamental characteristic, the former relying on tradition the latter on modernity and adaption. Malm was, for instance, a leading hanseatic town during the decades of the Hansa's dominance in the region, and leading the process of Protestant Reformation in Denmark of the 1530s. Also after the secession to Sweden, in 1658, Malm has kept this role. The first fortification was erected at the site of Skeppsbron and Malm Central Station, first hinted at in unfriendly diplomatic correspondence between the king and the archbishop in March 1256, but Malm's growth gave in 1434 reason to the erection of a new citadel at the beach south of the town. The new fortress, Malmhus, was completed in the mid-16th century and continued to play an essential role after the secession to Sweden — now as a part of the defense system against the Danes. During 1828–1914 the building was re-used as a prison, and since the 1930s it's housed Malm museum. Politics Main article: Politics of Malm Geography Main article: Geography of Malm Malm is part of the transnational Oresund Region and since 2000 the Oresund Bridge crosses the Oresund strait to Copenhagen. The bridge was inaugurated July 1, 2000, and measures 8 kilometres, with pylons reaching 204.5 metres vertically. The bridge has put in question the existence of ferries to Copenhagen, that since Malm's foundation in the 12th century has been a matter of course. Commuter trains pass the bridge every 20 minutes connecting Malm, Copenhagen, and the Copenhagen Metro (inaugurated on Oct 19, 2002). Also some of the Intercity trains to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo, and Hamburg pass the bridge. All train stops at the Copenhagen Airport. Malm, as the southern hub of the Swedish railway system and the western hub of the Scanian commuter train system, has excellent train connections. A night train line to Berlin, by ferry over the Baltic, has been in traffic since 1909. In March of 2005, digging began on a new railroad connection called Citytunneln (The City Tunnel). The tunnel will run from under Malm Central to Hylievng (Hylie Meadow), where it will emerge to connect with the Oresund Bridge, effectively changing Malm Central from an end station to a through station. A new stop will also be built at Triangeln (The Triangle), an important square in the city surrouned by shopping, housing, and cultural attractions. At the emergence of the tunnel in Hylievng, a new shopping centre, sports hall, and hotel are to be built. Beside the Copenhagen Airport, Malm is also served by the Malm-Sturup Airport that chiefly is used for low-cost carriers, charter flight routes, and domestic Swedish destinations. The highway network was further improved in connection with the opening of the Oresund Bridge. European route E47 (formerly E6) follows the Swedish and Norwegian west coast from Malm–Helsingborg to Kirkenes at Barents Sea. The European route to Jnkping–Stockholm (formerly E4) starts at Helsingborg. Main roads in direction of Vxj–Kalmar, Kristianstad–Karlskrona, Ystad, and Trelleborg start as freeways. The locals are proud of Malm's large parks, the largest two being Pildammsparken and Kungsparken, the long beaches, and a longtime tradition of decorating the city with plants and flowers of the season. Biking is a popular means of transport, since Malm is a city virtually without altitude differences and since the snow season is usually brief. A continuous network of bike roads, in intersections often with right of precedence over for cars, has in recent decades been a priority beside the rather extensive public transport system. The trolley cars were however abolished in 1973. A Swedish deregulation of taxicabs in the 1990s turned out particularly advantageous for Malm. The supply of cabs is good, and most operate to low fixed fares, usually arriving within three–four minutes if requested by phone, which is the most convenient. For tourists, however, it's advisable to compare prices. Population figures Malm urban area, that excludes suburbs but includes Arlv, has a population density of 3,584/km² and is the most densely populated town in Swedenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_areas_in_Sweden. The municipality is the third largest in Sweden after Stockholm and Gothenburg. Economy Main article: Economy of Malm The economy of Malm was traditionally based on shipbuilding and construction related industries, such as concrete factories. The region's leading university, with associated hi-tech and pharmaceutical industry, is located in nearby Lund. As a result, Malm had a troubled economic situation following the mid-1970s. However, during the last few years there has been a revival. Contributing factors have been the economic integration brought about by the bridge, the university founded in 1998, and effects of integration into the European Union. According to Dansk Folkeparti and domestic talk radio personalities, Malm's 1970s-build low-status outer neighbourhoods, typically exemplified by Rosengrd, are ghettos boiling with gangs and riots. Fox News in 2004 exemplified with Malm to demonstrate the danger of Muslim immigration to Europehttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139614,00.html. The municipality of Malm and the state of Sweden invest proportionally large sums on schools and other forms of social welfare in these quite segregated neighbourhoods. Higher education Main article: University College of Malm Malm has the country's eighth largest teaching site (Malm Hgskola) established in 1998, with 1,300 employees and 21,000 students (as of 2003). Also the Lund University (established in 1666) has some education located to Malm. Heraldry Main article: Heraldry of Skne The city arms were granted in 1437 by King Eric of Pomerania. The arms of Pomerania is argent with a griffin gules, which gave the griffin's head to Malm. The coat of arms for the city has also served as the basis for the arms of the province of Scania and Skne County, with differentiation in colors. Blazon: "Argent, a Griffin's head erased Gules, crowned Or". Sites of interest The city is gaining in popularity as a tourist destination. It retains much historical charm with an "old town" section filled with small shops. Malm also offers a late-medieval castle, housing a small city museum and a fairly large art gallery. Nightlife and music scene are mainly centered around two places: Lilla Torg ("Little Square") is encircled by trendy pubs and upmarket night clubs, while the district of Mllevngen ("the Mill Meadow") houses hang-outs for artists and good opportunities for live music. In August each year a festival, Malmfestivalen, fills the streets in the city centre. Places of note in or near Malm The Old Cemetary (Gamla Kyrkogrden), established in 1819 and today right in the city center, appalled William S. Burroughs when he visited Malm briefly in the 1950s. In The Naked Lunch he notes that the city was dreadful since he could not find any open bar or cinema; thus there was nothing to do except staying in the hotel room, waiting for the ferry back to Copenhagen. People of note connected with Malm See also External links !
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