With a population of roughly 85 000 inhabitants, Jonkoping is the 9th most populous city in Sweden. It is beautifully located along the southern shore of Vättern, the nation's second largest lake, and summertime visitors can enjoy swimming in the refreshingly cool water. In August each year, a free festival is arranged on the beach – the Vätternfesten (Vättern Party).
Due to its strategically important location for transportation along the rivers of Nissan and Lagan, Jonkoping has been an important trading centre for centuries and was once of the first Swedish communities to receive rights as a city. This took place in the year 1284, when Jönköping was officially declared a city by King Magnus Ladulas.
Points of interests in Jonkoping include the Match Museum, the Radio Museum and the Rosenlund Rosarium. The Match Museum was once the site of Jonkoping's first match factory, established in 1848. The Rosenlund Rosarium is home to hundreds of different roses and has no entrance fee.
