Lake Siljan

lake, Sweden

Also known as: Lake Silja

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Also spelled:: Silja

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Lake Siljan, lake in the administrative län (county) of Dalarna, central Sweden. Covering an area of 112 square miles (290 square km; including Orsa and In lakes, 137 square miles [354 square km]), it is Dalarna’s largest lake. After receiving the Österdal River at Mora, the lake stretches for a length of 25 miles (40 km) toward the southeast and extends into two bays, the wide Rätt to the northeast and the narrow Öster to the south at Leksand. The lake’s breadth varies from 1 to 7 miles (1.6 to 11 km). Sollerön is a large island in the northwestern part of the lake. Deeply indented wooded shores interspersed with meadows and quaint villages have given Siljan one of the most attractive settings in Sweden, making it a noted tourist centre.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.