Tanum in brief

A characteristic of Tanum is the large number of small villages mostly, again, along its coastline. The background for this is historical, of fishing - much from the herring periods, plus the upsurge in coastal freight and stone quarrying from the late 19th century and into the 20th century. The villages inland often developed around important junctions. Tanumshede, itself once an important trading point between coast and hinterland, became the central place when several small municipalities combined in 1971.

Tanum enjoys a varied and rich natural and cultural environment. Combine this with the a unique marine life and a beautiful and valuable natural surroundings, and you have the characteristics of the municipality. The natural history is reflected in the variety of cultural backgrounds that are found within the municipal boundaries. The Rock Carvings of Tanum, artistry that fires the imagination, have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994, but are only one of the many unique cultural delights within Tanum´s boundaries. Everything from a world of islands, thriving villages and the wild heathland of Kynne Fells.

The true coastline of Tanum extends from Gerlesborg in the south to Galtö in the north. Fjords and bays add several kilometres to bring the total 525 km. Of these, 175 are mainland and 350 are islands. Off the shore is one of Swedens saltiest and cleanest stretches of seawater that seems to be full of islands, rocks and skerries. The clean, salty water and the unique archipelago attract many to the coast of Tanum.

Smoothly polished rocks dominate the coastline, interspersed with shore-line meadows. In the hinterland, the agricultural community comes into its own. In the past, agriculture was often combined with fishing to provide income for the majority of the inhabitants. Houses and buildings were often tight under the rocks in order not to encroach upon valuable arable land. In places where several valleys meet, plains have been formed, adjacent to which are typical sites for the rock carvings. The carvings were made during the Bronze Age, when the plains were still covered with water.

In the eastern part of Tanum the countryside is dominated by forests and high crags with lakes, waterways and a fell-like region with swamps and small forest meres. The area around Kynne Fell is a vast wild region covering some 14 000 hectares (35 000 acres). Along a magnificent valley to the east are the long lakes of Bullaren surrounded by cultivated land.
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