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The city of Eskilstuna recieved its privileges in 1659 and is today the largest city in the Sudermannia province, counting a population of 58,980 (1996). The city is located along the Svealand Rail line (Svealandsbanan) between Stockholm and Hallsberg south of Lake Mälaren. Highway E20 also passes the city.
As the communications to Stockholm has improven, and as a trainride to Stockholm doesn't take much more than and hour, Eskilstuna has recieved many new inhabitants commuting to their workplaces in Stockholm. Eskilstuna seem to be the new western frontier of the Stockholm metropolitan region, being located 120 kilometres west of the capital.
Eskilstuna's history goes back to the medieval times when the city was home to a monestary, which was completely destoyed during the Reformation. This town was more known as Tunafors and was located east of the river, however not recieving any privileges due to its proximity to the medieval city of Torshälla. The monestary was replaced with the Eskilstunahus Castle , a royal residence. The city's first privileges included the newly founded city west of the Eskilstunaån River, surrounding the forges of Reinold Rademacher , called the City of Karl Gustav (Karl Gustavs stad) after the reigning king. The City of Karl Gustav was a free town from 1771, where any manufactorers or craftsmen were allowed to establish workshops. The city grew enormously as the Industrial revolution rolled on and Eskilstuna advanced into being one of the most important industrial cities of Sweden, earning the name "Stålstaden" - the city of steel for its manufactoring of scissors, keys, knives and other steel tools.
The city remains an important industrial city with worldwide companies such as Volvo and Assa . The modern establishment of the Mälardalen University College ( Mälardalens högskola ) has also given Eskilstuna an academic touch. The city also has a combined zoo and amusement park - Parken Zoo, most famous for its white tigers.
The most successful sports clubs of the cities are the speedway club Smederna - the Blacksmiths, and the handball club Guif ; both playing in the top divisions of Sweden for many years.