The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Mælar

MÆLAR, or Mälar, a lake of Sweden, extending from Stockholm on the east to Köping on the west, a distance of about 75 m., and comprising an area of about 700 sq. m. It has numerous arms branching off in all directions, and communicates with the Baltic by the Södertelge canal, and also by a short channel, on the shores and on an island of which stands the city of Stockholm. The principal streams falling into it are the Fyrisa, Kolbäcksa, Arbogaa, and Thorshälla. On its shores are the cities of Stockholm, Upsal, Enköping, Westeras, and other considerable towns, a great number of villages, and numerous palaces, châteaux, and villas. It contains more than 1,200 islands, of all sizes and of great beauty, upon which are 16 large villages and about 900 domains. About 50 steamers ply between the various ports. The picturesque scenery and abundant fishing give the lake great interest, and pleasure excursions upon it are frequent.