Populaion 30 000, the main centre of both the Göta Canal and the surrounding lake region. Dating from the 13th century Motala remained a small village until the construction of the canal at the beginning of the 19th century. Then, thanks to the canal and Motala Verkstad - which was founded in 1822 by Baltzar von Platen to manufacture the large quantity of iron parts, tools, locks, and bridges that were needed during the construction of Göta Canal - the town rose from it´s obscurity and became a regional technological center. During the second part of the 19th century, Motala Verkstad became internationally famous. The company received several awards and was praised at world exhibitions. In the science fiction novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, the prow of the submarine Nautilus was built at Motala Verkstad.