Detailed Satellite map Sweden
Sweden has the largest population of the Nordic countries. It is separated in the west from Norway by a range of mountains. It shares the Gulf of Bothnia at the north end of the Baltic Sea with Finland. Sweden is a monarchy by constitution, but King Carl XVI Gustaf has no executive power. The southern part of the country is chiefly agricultural, with forests covering an increasing percentage of the land the further north one goes. Sweden exports cars, engineering products, steel, electronic devices, communications equipment and paper products.
Sweden is a land of cultural contrast, from the Danish influence of the southwest to the nomadic Laplanders in the wild Arctic north. There are beautiful people, high standard of living, clean-lined design and magically archipelagic capital – Stockholm. While urban Sweden is modern and sophisticated, the countryside offers many simpler pleasures for those in search of calmness.
Much of Sweden is forested, and there are thousands of lakes, notably large stretches of water between Gothenburg and the capital, Stockholm. Most visitors choose first for the cities and the Baltic islands: the largest island – Gotland, with its array of ruined medieval churches, is a particular feature. Another major attraction is the so-called ‘Kingdom of Crystal', a forested area between Malmö and Stockholm boasting many fine glassworks. The wilderness areas of Norrland have the legendary midnight sun in summer, Arctic Scandinavia's highest mountain and marvelous hiking trails. The country has at least 17 000 indigenous Samis or Lapps among its population.
Sweden is great for outdoor life - skiing, skating, hiking, canoeing, cycling and berry-picking depending of season. Stockholm and Gothenburg have great nightlife and shopping opportunities. Swedes played a pioneering role of the early days of cinema, with Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjöström. Later on, directors like Ingmar Bergman and actresses such as Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman and Anita Ekberg made careers abroad. Swedish music is in many minds synonymous with ABBA. The Swedish cuisine is known for its Smorgasbord, Baltic herring, pea soup and pancakes.
