Torsö | |
Local Name: | --> |
Nickname: | --> |
Coordinates: | 58.8017°N 13.8261°W |
Location: | Vänern |
Area Km2: | 62.03 |
Country: | Sweden |
Country Admin Divisions Title: | Province |
Country Admin Divisions Title 1: | County |
Country Admin Divisions 1: | Västra Götaland |
Country Admin Divisions Title 2: | Municipality |
Country Admin Divisions 2: | Mariestad |
Torsö (Thor's Island[1]) is the biggest island of the lake Vänern, area 62.03 km2. Torsö is located in Mariestad Municipality. Torsö formerly consisted of two islands (Torsö and Fågelö), but around 1930 the water in between was pumped out, and the former lakebed is now used for growing crops.
Torsö has around 550 families living year round, and around thrice that amount during summers. In 1994 a bridge, "Torsöbron", was opened between the mainland and the island. It is around 900 m long.
Due to the size of lake Vänern, the island has a more maritime climate (with milder winters) and more sun hours compared to the mainland.[2]