Mälaren - Lake Malar

Mälaren is Sweden's third-largest lake, stretching roughly 120 kilometres west from Stockholm through the counties of Södermanland, Västmanland, and Uppland. Covering approximately 1,140 square kilometres, it holds around 14,500 islands, islets, and skerries, giving its shoreline an extraordinarily intricate character.
Historically, Mälaren was an inlet of the Baltic Sea, but land uplift gradually transformed it into a freshwater lake around the 13th century — a shift that profoundly shaped the region's geography and trade. Cities including Stockholm, Västerås, Eskilstuna, and Strängnäs all grew up along its shores, drawing on the lake for water, transport, and commerce.
Today Mälaren supplies drinking water to nearly two million people, making it one of Sweden's most vital natural resources. It is also a beloved destination for sailing, kayaking, and summer recreation, its calm waters and wooded islands offering a timeless escape from the surrounding urban landscape.