Jönköping, capital of Jönköping county, lies in the heart of Smaland, on the shore of Lake Vätter. Jönköping has been called the `Matchstick Town’- the town’s economy depends largely upon the production of matches.

Strategically located at the intersection of Sweden’s main trade routes, Jönköping became an important trading and industrial centre during the Middle Ages; by the 19^th century, the city had become Sweden’s largest producer of snuff. In the years to follow, this was the city where the safety match and the sewing machine were first produced; and the reputation for industry has endured- Jönköping is still a major producer of matches, paper, machinery and textiles.

As is perhaps to be expected, some of Jönköping’s most popular tourist sights are those connected to its industries- the Tandstickmuseet or the Matchstick Museum, which houses the first machines used to produce the match; and the Lansmuseet which is a showcase of the iron- working industry and society. Other major tourist attractions are the Stadsparken, a wildlife park that includes an ornithological museum; the 17^th century City Hall; and the city’s many churches. Jönköping is known as a centre for missionary activity- it’s even been dubbed `Smaland’s Jerusalem’. The most famous of Jönköping’s churches is Kristinekyrkan, a late 17^th century structure- one of the few old buildings to have survived the many fires, which have ravaged the city over the centuries.