Why this central Swedish region was once named after its copper mountain

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Dalarna County is a vast, sparsely populated expanse in central Sweden that mirrors the size of Belgium. Though it is now known by the name of its historic province, the region spent centuries operating under a different title that highlighted its deep connection to the local copper mining industry.

The administrative region of Dalarna County, located in the heart of Sweden, serves as a modern government entity that encompasses nearly the entire cultural province of the same name. While the county is primarily used for administrative functions and is divided into various municipalities, its geographical footprint is expansive, characterized by significant tracts of wilderness. Interestingly, the provincial region itself is slightly more extensive than the administrative county, as a small portion of the Ljusdal Municipality falls outside the county's borders.

Historically, the region was governed from Västerås Castle before the 1634 Instrument of Government paved the way for a dedicated county administration. By 1647, a royal decree established the area as Kopparbergs län, or Copper Mountain County. This name persisted for centuries, reflecting the economic importance of the local mining sector, until a formal change on 1 January 1997 aligned the administrative name with the traditional provincial title of Dalarna. It is important to note that the town of Kopparberg, despite its name, is situated in the neighboring Örebro County.

Today, the County Administrative Board acts as a government agency tasked with implementing national policies and coordinating regional development under the guidance of a Governor. Beyond this, the regional council, known as Region Dalarna, manages essential public services including healthcare and transportation. The region also maintains a strong link to its heritage through its coat of arms, which is inherited from the province and, when displayed with a royal crown, signifies the authority of the County Administrative Board.

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