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Sweden

Sweden is a prosperous industrial nation in northern Europe. The people of Sweden have developed highly prosperous industries based on their country's three most important natural resources--timber, which makes up about a fifth of the country's exports, a very high grade iron ore, and water power.

Since the devaluation of the Swedish crown, Sweden has become quite affordable, and the simple joys of fresh air, landscape and culture are free. Its forests are starkly beautiful, its lakes giant. Stockholm, the country's capital, is a progressive city with pockets that maintain a village feel...More Information on Sweden.

Also Read: Special insight on background of Sweden

Full country name: Kingdom of Sweden
Area: 449,964 sq km
Population: 8.87 million
Capital City: Stockholm
People: 90% Swedes, 3% Finns, 0.15% Sami (indigenous Lapp inhabitants)
Language: Swedish, English
Religion: Predominantly Lutheran (87%)
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: King Carl XVI Gustaf
Head of Government: Prime Minister Göran Persson

History of Sweden

During the seventh and eighth centuries, the Swedes were merchant seamen well known for their far-reaching trade. In the ninth century, Nordic Vikings raided and ravaged the European Continent as far as the Black and Caspian Seas. During the 11th and 12th centuries, Sweden gradually became a unified Christian kingdom that later included Finland. Queen Margaret of Denmark united all the Nordic lands in the “Kalmar Union” in 1397. Continual tension within the countries and within the union gradually led to open conflict between the Swedes and the Danes in the 15th century. The union's final disintegration in the early 16th century brought on a long-lived rivalry between Norway and Denmark on one side and Sweden and Finland on the other...more on history of Sweden.

Overview of Sweden's Economy

GDP: US$230.7 billion
GDP per capita: US$26,000
Annual Growth: 1%
Inflation: 2%
Major Industries: Forestry, mining, agriculture, engineering and high tech manufacturing, telecommunications, IKEA
Major Trading Partners: EU, US
Member of EU: Yes

Also read: An insight into the economy of Sweden

Political System of Sweden

- Political Conditions in Sweden
- Government of Sweden
- Foreign Relations
- Defense and Military of Sweden
- System of Government in Sweden

Climate, Vegetation and Fauna

Alpine and arctic vegetation prevail in northern Sweden. The highest mountain areas are barren of vegetation; the next highest regions are moorlands with various kinds of mosses and lichens. Below the moorlands is a zone of birch and willow trees, often dwarfed and stunted. The next lower, and largest, zone is covered with coniferous forests, primarily of spruce and Scotch pine. In the south, deciduous trees, including oak and beech, are found.Roe deer and elk are plentiful in Sweden's forests. Reindeer are common in the north, where they are herded by the Saami. Bears, lynx, and wolves are now quite rare. Lemmings are extensive in the upland moorlands. Various wild birds are plentiful, with many rare species protected in nature preserves.


People: Sweden's population is composed principally of Scandinavians of Germanic descent and a comparatively small number of ethnic Finns...more on people living in Sweden.

Culture: The genuine rural folk traditions are disappearing with increasing settlement in urban areas...Culture Of Sweden.

Education: In 1842 education in Sweden was made free and compulsory for all children between the ages of 7 and 14...more on education in Sweden.

Languages: Swedish Language, language of Sweden and of Swedish settlers in other parts of the world, notably in Finland...languages spoken in Sweden.

Life and Lifestyle: The principal cities of Sweden include Stockholm, the capital and largest city, with a population (1998 estimate) of 736,113; Göteborg (459,593), an industrial center and seaport; and Malmö (254,904), a commercial center and seaport. Other major cities include Uppsala, Linköping, Örebro, Norrköping, and Västerås.


Facts for the Traveler

Visas: Stays of up to 90 days (unlimited for Nordic citizens) are usually visa free, but South Africans, Hong Kong residents with Chinese passports and residents of many African, Asian, South American and some Eastern European countries should check requirements with Swedish embassies.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1
Dialling Code: 46
Electricity: 230V ,50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

Also Read: Money and Cost Required | Transportation and Traveling in Sweden

When to Go to Sweden

If you want sunshine, visit between late May and late July, bearing in mind that August can be both hot and wet. Many youth hostels, camping grounds and attractions open only in summer, from late June to mid-August. Summer in Sweden can be hot, sunny and beautiful, but travel in winter should be better planned and restricted. Big cities are in full swing all year-round.

Also Read: Getting Around Sweden | Sweden: Getting There and Away

What to See in Sweden

Major Tourist Attractions in Sweden
- Stockholm: Stockholm is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful national capitals in the world...
- Gothenburg: After Liseberg the collected museums are the strongest attractions...
- Vadstena: Set along Lake Vättern, beautiful Vadstena is one of the most pleasant towns in Sweden.

Other Tourist Attractions in Sweden
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more...

Events in Sweden

Midsummer, held at summer solstice, is Sweden's most enthusiastically celebrated festival. Pagan rites such as maypole dancing mingle with public holiday tie-loosening and liberal helpings of schnapps. The Lucia Festival (13 December) has only been celebrated for about 60 years but has become very popular. As well as commemorating the martyrdom of a pious Sicilian girl, Lucia celebrates the coming of Christmas with processions of robed youngsters, plenty of glögg (a hot alcoholic fruit punch) for the grownups, and singing. Christmas trees are decorated with straw animals and stars, cookie baking begins, and Santa Claus makes his final assessments of children's behaviour and does the last-minute shopping. Santa obviously favours Swedish kids, as he delivers presents in person rather than just chucking them down the chimney. Most households serve up ham at Christmas time, and many families still partake in the tradition of ‘dipping in the pot', soaking slices of bread in ham juices.

New Year's Eve is a highly social time when friends get together, often setting off fireworks. Easter in Sweden incorporates the pagan belief that witches hang out with the devil in hell for the duration. Kids dressed up as witches door-knock houses in their neighbourhood, scamming lollies in exchange for drawings. Walpurgis Night (30 April) is a pagan festival celebrating the end of winter with bonfires and fireworks. May Day (1 May) is observed by marches and labour movement events.


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The city is serviced by comprehensive rail connections, with frequent east-west trains servicing Vienna, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zürich, including daily high-speed ICE services. The city also acts as a hub for south-bound trains through the Alps into Italy. Salzburg Airport has scheduled flights to European cities such as Frankfurt, Vienna, ...
The Salzburg Card is highly recommended for visitors as it allows for unlimited public transportation, admission into several of the city's main attractions, and discounts at various places. By Air The Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart is located 2 miles southwest of the city centre. The Airport has regularly scheduled domestic and international ...
By Bus/Tram The city buses and trams provide quick, comfortable service through the city center from the Nonntal parking lot to Sigsmundsplatz, the city-center parking lot. Buses stop running at 11pm. Travelers can get a direct shuttle bus from Munich International Airport to Salzburg. The city itself is served by ...
Salzburg’s economy is strongly export-oriented, especially exports to the member countries of the EU. For many years Salzburg’s economy has occupied a leading position in Austria. On a European scale the province is one of the most dynamic regions. In a recent survey of European regions Salzburg is listed as ...
Salzburg is at the Northern edge of the Alps and has a typical Central European climate with hot summers up to almost 40 degrees Celsius and cold winters down to minus 20 degrees Celsius. So most of the year Salzburg has moderate weather conditions and should not keep you from ...
Maria Plain: church of pilgrimage A church of pilgrimage and a Baroque gem in the outskirts of the city. Easily accessible by public bus, Maria Plain is the ideal destination for a quick trip. Kleßheim Castle A Baroque castle near the city that now hosts a Casino. Liefering Parish Church A mix ...
Salzburg's long history can be traced back to the Stone Age - but only in Baroque times it got really exciting! Here you will find a timeline with the most outstanding key events. Maybe you would also be interested in browsing the list of the Prince Archbishops. The first signs ...
Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak – the 1972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The Altstadt, ...
Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg's "Old Town" with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is ...
Upper Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate: summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. Summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. In ...

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