OLAND, or OELAND, an island in the Baltic, belonging to Sweden, included in the lan of Kalmar, and separated from the mainland by the Kalmar Sound, which varies from 3 to 15 miles in breadth. Length 85 miles; average breadth 8; area 608 square miles. The western shores are low; those to the east high and steep; and the prevalent formation throughout the island is limestone. To the north are a few small lakes; but no considerable streams anywhere occur. The soil, though scanty, is fertile; and a great part of the surface is covered with fine forests. Cattle and sheep are extensively reared; and deer, wild boars, and other game abound. Oland is famous for its breed of ponies of very small size. The weaving of cloth is carried on, and furnishes an article of export trade. The island contains several villages, of which Borgholm the capital, on the west coast, is the chief. The people are extensively employed in fishing and navigation; and there is an alum mine, the most important in the kingdom, which employs about 300 hands. Pop. 33,000.