The city of Kalmar was once the third largest one in Sweden, with a strategically very important location on Kalmarsund, the old trading route between mainland Sweden and the island of Öland. Kalmar has always been closely connected to trade and shipping, and the Port of Kalmar has a history going back more than one thousand years. Today, it is a most active commercial port (maximum depth 8 metres) with a port area covering one square kilometre, 3,000 metres of quays and anually about 1,000 ship calls.

Kalmar castle, a magnificent Vasa castle was once Sweden's last outpost to the south and referred to as "the key to the kingdom". The castle has a history dating back over 800 years and was rebuilt in the 16th century in the style of a Renaissance palace (it remains one of the best reserved Renaissance castles in the country). The Kalmar Union between Sweden, Denmark and Norway (lasted until the 16th century) was signed in the Kalmar Castle in 1397.

However, in the end Kalmar could no longer fight its traditional enemy Denmark. The oldest parts of the present city of Kalmar date back to the 17th century, and Kalmar is the only city which has, so far, twice been presented with the Europa Nostra Award for best preserved city centre.

Today, Kalmar has about 59,000 inhabitants, over half of whom live in the central city. The regional hostpital is the city's single largest source of employment, followed by a number of private companies and the University of Kalmar. However, a large share of the inhabitants work in small-scale mechanical industry

The municipality of Kalmar is characterized by two different types of landscapes: large areas of coniferous forest to the west, and low-lying arable land to the east, stretching down to the coast and archipelgo of Kalmarsund.

One of the longest bridges in Europe connects mainland Kalmar with the island of Öland, the second largest of the Swedish islands in the Baltic Sea. The history of Öland dates back over 4,000 years and the island harbours a large amount of historic sites. ·land is also a unique environment with flora and fauna not found anywhere else. The island is an important stopover for migrating birds from all over Europe and Africa. In addition to this, Öland enjoys much sun and little rain and is a much-loved place for Swedish and foreign holiday-makers.

Why then was GIWA located to Kalmar? Already at an early stage, there was a keen interest by representatives of the Natural Resources Management and Agenda 21 Research School (NRM&A21) at University of Kalmar in bringing GIWA to Kalmar. When UNEP and GEF looked internationally for parties interested in 'housing' the GIWA Co-ordination Office, Kalmar Municipality rapidly offered to provide such resources. The offer was accepted by UNEP and GEF. The location at the Kalmarsund Laboratory, with the university centre for water-related research, was self-evident. Before long, the Laboratory will also house the NRM&A21, and there will be a close connection between the NRM&A21 and the GIWA work.