SWEDEN : Malmö

Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden. It is located in the southernmost province of Scania . The city is a commercial hub and a cosmopolitan metropolis. But with a population of some 270,000 people who between them speak more than 100 languages and have roots from many different countries. It has more parks, gardens and restaurants per capita than any other city in Sweden . Malmö also features many attractions dating back to the Middle Ages. Throughout Skåne there are more than 200 castles and manor houses, many of them open to tourists, and the many inns offer the province´s delectable cuisine

Malmö has 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, It was the good fishing that atracted peoplehere, and for many hundreds of years the locals exported salt herring from here. In the 16th century Malmö 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, Malmö and Copenhagen have been centers for industrious and economic success. The disunity between the burghers of Lund and Malmö has remained a fundamental characteristic, the former relying on tradition the latter on modernity and adaption. Malmö 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. Even after the secession to Sweden, in 1658, Malmö continued to hold its dominant role.

Malmö is not an "old" city, although much of its history is preserved in its architecture. It has undergone massive change at several levels, and will continue to do so. The most notable of these changes is the city's transformation from industrial city into a seat of higher learning, technology and modern housing. Malmö University , which first opened its doors in 1998, has in just a short period of time become Sweden 's eighth-largest institution of higher education, with more than 21,000 students.

The city is gaining in popularity as a tourist destination. It retains much historical charm with an "old town" section filled with small shops. Malmö 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 Möllevången ("the Mill Meadow") houses hang-outs for artists and good opportunities for live music.

Västra Hamnen (The Western Harbour) used to be the location for heavy industry but in 2001 it was rebuilt as a neighbourhood of exclusive apartments, including those in the Turning Torso. The tower is a spectacular twisting skyscraper of 190 metres (623 feet). Its siluette can be seen from anyhwere in Malmö. It is the second highest residential building in Europe. The long boardwalk at the beach has become a new favourite summer hang-out for the people of Malmö and is a popular place for bathing.