Båstad

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Båstad


image_caption = A street adjacent to the central square
pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Sweden
subdivision_type1 = Municipality
subdivision_name1 = Båstad Municipality
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Skåne County
subdivision_type3 = Province
subdivision_name3 = Skåne
area_footnotes = cite web |title=Tätorternas landareal, folkmängd och invånare per km² 2000 och 2005 |publisher=Statistics Sweden |url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/MI/MI0810/2005A01B/T%E4torternami0810tab1.xls |format=xls |language=Swedish |accessdate=2008-05-15]
area_total_km2 = 6.26
population_as_of = 2005-12-31
population_footnotes =
population_total = 4,793
population_density_km2 = 765
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd=56 |latm=26 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=12 |longm=50 |longs= |longEW=E
website =

Båstad is a town in Scania, Sweden and the seat of Båstad Municipality, Skåne County. It has a population of 4,793 (2005).

Geography

The town of Båstad is located in a sheltered bay with the Hallandian ridge stretching behind it. The town borders the shore, whereafter the terrain raises until the dense vegetation of the ridge takes over.

History

The first city privileges were granted in the 14th or 15th century, when the area belonged to Denmark. The first certain date is 1513 when it was re-granted. At the time, the name in print was "Botstœdœ", which would translate to "Boat (landing) place".

The area was in 1658 conquered by Sweden, and Båstad was given new "special" privileges in 1664, because it was of too insignificant size to receive the full royal charter as one of Sweden's cities. The minor privilege allowed the town to be used for commerce, handicraft and hostelry. The minor privilege was in effect until 1858 when it got proper rights as a "merchant town", or "köping". It is since 1971 the seat of Båstad Municipality.

Båstad is best known for its tennis tournament Swedish Open on the ATP Tour, held each summer since 1948. It has got the most tennis courts in the country, and has fostered many internationally successful tennis players, such as Magnus Larsson. Every summer, Swedish Open Båstad in tennis is held in the town as part of the ATP Tour. It attracts some 20,000 visitors and puts the town in a festive mood for a few weeks. Starting 2009, the women WTA tournament previously held in Stockholm will also be played in Båstad.

ights

The Church of Båstad or Saint Mary Church is located in central Båstad. It was constructed in the 15th century. It is a Romanesque church, and contains several wall paintings from various centuries; a madonna image; and a Danish altarpiece, among other things.

Notable natives

*Carl Adolph Agardh (1785-1859), botanist, born in Båstad

References