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Geography

Skane has an excellent central geographic location in Europe. Located in the very south of Sweden, Skane's closest neighbor is the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, right across the sea. The Oresund bridge is the link between Malmo and Copenhagen.

Capital

Malmo, the third largest city in Sweden

Governor

Mr. Bengt Holgersson

Landspace and Population

Skane covers a total land area of 19500K㎡ and has a population of 1.2 million.

        
                  Lund Cathedra            Church of the Holy Cross                

History and Culture

Skane has a stormy and dramatic history. It was here people first set foot when land emerged in the wake of the receding ice-cap. Rock-carvings can be seen in many places. The oldest dwelling-place yet discovered is eleven thousand years old. There are plenty of important ancient monuments and relics. Ale's Stones on the high coastal plateau above Kaseberga not far from Ystad is among Skane's foremost sights. It is a 67-meter long barrow dating from the Iron Age and consists of 58 standing stones. Wonders have been made if it is a grave of a chieftan or and an enormous astronomical device, which like the one at Stonehernge in England to mark the solstices and the passage of time. A number of churches were built when Christianity started to spread throughout the province in the 11th century. Lund and Dalby were important places for all those who embraced the new religious doctrine. The imposing church of the Holy Cross in Dalby (Heligkorskyrkan), Scandinavia's oldest stone church , was built in 1060.

Ale's Stones

Economy and Industry

The Per Capita GDP of Skane was USD 31,000 in 2000. Skane has well-developed industry and agriculture, many of these sectors being leading pineers in the world, like under-water technoloy, engineering automation, electronics, mechanical electronics, food, packaging, medical equipment, construction and building materials. Boasting the richest agricultual land in Europe, the Agriculture and food processing are well developed, employing 25% of the total workforce. The packaging and phamaceutical industry are the two most important industries in Skane. The well-known packaging company, Tetra-Pak has 91% of the world market share.

Establishment of Sister Province/State Relationship

In 1988, the Government of Malmo expressed the wish to start friendly exchanges with Guangdong through its business representative in HK. Further high-level visits were conducted later on. In Nov. 1996, GD and Malmo established Sister Province Relationship. In Jan. 1997, Malmo was combined with Kristianstad to form a new province, Skane. On Nov. 26, 1997, Mr. LU Ruihua, Governor of GD and Mr. Bengt Holgersson, Governor of Skane signed the Agreement to establish GD-Skane Sister Province Relationship in Guangzhou.

Establishment of GD-Malmo Sister Province Relationship

Establishment of GD-Skane Sister Province Relationship

Sino-Sweden Joint Venture-Huaxin Tetra Pak (Foshan) Packaging Co., Ltd.

Friendly Exchanges

GD and Skane have carried out exchanges in education, environment and medicare. The Water Plant of Zhanjiang city, GD introduced technology and capital from Skane to upgrade facilities. The Zhongshan University and Lund University have had students'exchange program for doctor degree students. And further exchanges were conducted in legislature, taxation and social security authorities between the two provinces.

Editor: Wing