Sweden - Kingdom of Sweden (Sweden, Konungariket Sverige)

State in Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The name of the country comes from the Old Norse Svea and Rige - "the state of the Svei". Member of the UN, the European Union since January 1, 1995, a country that has signed the Schengen Agreement. The main types of tourism in the country -excursions, ecotourism, fishing, leisure(alpine skiing, snowboarding).

general information

Location, territory and landscape

Sweden is a country in Northern Europe, located in the eastern and southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the west, Sweden borders on Norway (the length of the border is 1619 km), in the northeast - on Finland (614 km), and from the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. In the south, the Øresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak straits separate Sweden from Denmark. Sweden consists of two large islands in the Baltic - Gotland and Öland.

Territory country is 449,964 km².

On the territory of Sweden, two large natural regions can be distinguished - northern and southern. The relief in the north and west is dominated by plateaus and mountains, the Scandinavian mountains stretch along the border with Norway, where the highest mountain Kebnekaise has a height of 2123 m. Between the Scandinavian mountains and the Gulf of Bothnia of the Baltic Sea lie the Norland plateau, the Central Swedish lowland and the Småland upland. The southern peninsula of Skåne is flat.

Population: over 9 million 720 thousand people.

Capital: Stockholm ( Swede. Stockholm, population - 870 thousand people).

Largest cities: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala.

Languages: Swedish, the majority of the population speaks fairly good English.

Religion: most of the believers (or 70% of the population) belong to the Church of Sweden - the Lutheran Church. Between 250,000 and 450,000 Muslims live in Sweden as a result of immigration, and more than 18,000 Jews. There are also Catholics and Baptists in the country. Part of the Saami professes animism.

Timezone: UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer time).

Telephone code: +46.

Currency: Swedish krona (SEK), 1.00 USD ≅ 6.63 SEK , 1.00 EUR ≅ 9.06 SEK .

Credit cards of payment systems: Visa, MasterCard, American Express.

Climate and average temperature

Despite being located in northern latitudes, Sweden is a country with a temperate climate, mainly due to the Gulf Stream. The Scandinavian mountains protect the northern, western and eastern regions of Sweden from the Atlantic winds, so winters are colder and summers are short. The average January temperature is around -14°C, and in some areas up to -16°C. In summer, the average temperature is +17 °C. In the southwest of Sweden from Gothenburg to Malmö and on the islands in the Baltic climatic conditions moderated by warm Atlantic winds. Winters are warmer here, and summers are longer, but rainy.

Flora and fauna

The northern parts are dominated taiga forests(pine, spruce, birch, aspen), to the south - mixed coniferous-broad-leaved, in the extreme south - broad-leaved (oak, beech). The subarctic climate dominates in the northern mountainous regions. Part of the country is located beyond the Arctic Circle, where the sun does not set at night in the summer, and the polar night sets in in winter. The waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia soften the climate even more in the eastern parts.

Sweden is characterized by hilly landscapes, podzolic soils, which are characterized by strong rockiness, low thickness, a predominance of sandy and gravel varieties, as well as coniferous forests. Most of the country is covered with forests (53%), according to this indicator, Sweden ranks first in Europe. Taiga forests predominate on podzolic soils, forming large massifs north of 60°N. sh. and consisting mainly of pine and spruce, with an admixture of birch, aspen and other hardwoods. To the south - mixed coniferous broadleaf forests on soddy-podzolic soils, and on the Skåne peninsula - broad-leaved forests of oak and beech on brown forest soils. In the north, vast areas are occupied by the tundra zone of Swedish Lapland. The coastline is heavily indented and replete with skerries and island groups.

Mammals in Sweden are not very diverse (about 70 species), but there are many of them. In the north of Lapland, you can easily see herds of reindeer. Roe deer, elks, squirrels, hares, foxes, martens are also found in the forests, in the northern taiga - lynxes, wolverines, brown bears. There are about 340 species of birds: swans, gulls, ducks, geese, terns and other birds nest on the shores of the seas and lakes. More than 160 species of fish live in the rivers: salmon, trout, perch, in the north - grayling.

In 1964, the Protection Act went into effect. environment, and in Sweden, one of the first European countries, there were National parks(the first of them was created in 1909). Now in Sweden there are about 16 national parks and about 900 nature reserves.

How to get there

Regular direct flights by Aeroflot and SAS from Moscow to Stockholm depart daily, the flight duration is about 2 hours. SAS (six times a week) and STC Rossiya (2 flights a week) also fly from St. Petersburg - 1.5 hours in the air. For a trip to the southern part of Sweden, it is better to use Copenhagen Airport: only 20 minutes by train across the bridge separate Malmö from Denmark. Aeroflot and SAS fly to Copenhagen every day from Moscow (2 hours on the way), SAS flies from St. Petersburg 6 times a week. The duration of the flight is 2.5 hours.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the country is the summer season. when all cities and villages hospitably open the doors of their hotels, museums, restaurants and cafes for numerous tourists. However, you can also come to Sweden in winter, from December to January - very mild climate in Sweden turns out to be a rather pleasant surprise for those who associate the North exclusively with cold.

Popular tourist sites

Stockholm - the capital of Sweden, which is located on 14 islands off the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea, and in the northwest the city is washed by Lake Mälaren. In 1998, Stockholm was elected European Capital of Culture. The Old Town area of ​​Stockholm is over 750 years old. An unusually beautiful city on the islands, where most of the sights of this wonderful country are concentrated, the main ones are Cathedral of Saint Nicholas- the main church of the city, where the Swedish monarchs are crowned; Royal Palace(the largest of these palaces in the world), which is the residence of the Swedish kings; Riddaholm Church- the burial place of Swedish kings and aristocrats; City Hall "Stadhuset" where award ceremonies take place Nobel Prize. The City Hall is located on the island of Kungsholmen. It was built in the style of national romanticism in 1923.

The National Museum of Art contains collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings, graphics from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Here are the works of Cezanne, Goya, Rembrandt and Rubens. Stockholm even has a national city park - "Royal Ecological Park". It is the world's first urban national park. It offers tourists historical palaces, museums, parks, restaurants, design hotels and shopping. From Stockholm, you can also make day trips, for example, to the old university town of Uppsala or by boat to the skerries.

Gothenburg - the second largest city in the country, which is located on the shores of the Kattegat. It is also the main port of the country and the seat of the bishop. Of the main attractions of this wonderful city, one can single out the oldest building in Gothenburg - Artillery Arsenal Krunhuset(1643) City Hall(1672); the Exchange building, which was built in the 19th century; 62m Sea Tower and the Maritime Center next to the port; church of Christina (17th century); House of the East India Company (1750), which now houses the Historical and Archaeological Museums; Getaplatsen square with Poseidon fountain. From this square begins the main street of the city - Avenue, there are many different shops and restaurants, cafes and entertainment centers. Along the Avenue also stand the Opera House and the Concert Hall, which is considered one of the best in the world.

There are 16 museums in Gothenburg, among which the most interesting are the City Museum, the Art Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Ross Museum (the only museum of art crafts and design in Sweden), the Museum of the History of Medicine, the Observatory, the Museum of Science "Experimentum", the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Navigation "Syofarhistoriska Museum". Gothenburg is also home to Sweden's largest botanical garden, with over 12,000 plant species, flowers, herbaceous and forest plants from all over the world. From Gothenburg begins the famous Gyota channel, which ends in the vicinity of the city of Söderkoping and connects the Kattegat and the Gulf of Bothnia. A boat trip on the Göta Canal is considered one of the main excursions in Sweden.

Ski resorts in Sweden: Idre(Idre) Selen(Salen) and Ore(Are), which includes ski areas Tegefjell, Ore By, Ore Bjornen and Duved.

The Kingdom of Sweden is the largest country in Scandinavia. Although Sweden is on the outskirts of Europe, it has never been a cultural province. Many people worked on the appearance of its cities famous architects. But the main wealth of this country is its nature, which changes as you move from south to north, from the sandy shores of the Baltic with well-kept estates to harsh forests and rocks near the border with Norway. Sweden is busy cities and small villages, lakes and rapids of turbulent rivers, high mountains and skerries in the form of thousands of small islands. The unique diversity of nature appears in its pristine beauty in the Stockholm National Park with a unique flora and fauna.

Sweden is too diverse and rich in contrasts to express the impressions in one word. And there is nothing to be surprised at the differences between the southern part of Sweden, almost no different from the rest of continental Europe, and its north - snow-covered Lapland. Sweden has everything: lively cities, and placers of wooden houses, usually painted red, and reservoirs, sometimes fresh, sometimes salty, and stormy rapids rivers, and sleepy lakes. and islands, and skerries in the form of thousands and thousands of freckles on the surface of the sea, and high mountains, and lovely valleys.

Here are medieval castles, rune stones, thousands of monuments of Iron Age archeology, one of the oldest universities. Sweden is the birthplace of the great storyteller Astrid Lindgren, the eccentric Carlson and the favorite of all the children of the world, Pippi Longstocking, live here.

Geography

Sweden is located in Northern Europe, in the eastern and southern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the west, Sweden borders on Norway, in the northeast - on Finland, and from the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. In the south, the Øresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak straits separate Sweden from Denmark. Sweden consists of two large islands in the Baltic - Gotland and Öland. The area of ​​Sweden is 450 thousand square meters. km.

Time

Behind Moscow for 2 hours.

Climate

Moderate. The temperature in summer rarely rises above +22 C. In winter, the temperature does not fall below -16 C. Precipitation varies from 500-700 mm per year (on the plains) to 1500-2000 mm (in the mountains).

Language

Almost nine million people live in Sweden. the only state language in Sweden is Swedish, belonging to the Scandinavian group of Germanic languages.

Religion

Lutherans - 87%, others - 13%.

Population

The population is 8850000 people. Peoples: 90% Swedes, 3% Finns, 0.15% Sami - the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland.

Electricity

The voltage in the network is 220 Volts.

Emergency Phones

A single number for the police, fire brigade or ambulance: 9-00-00.

Connection

On the territory of the country there are GSM, MT 450 and NMT 900 standards of three operators - Europolitan, Tele2/Comviq and Telia Mobile. The cost of a call across the country between operators differs slightly and is about 5.5 kroons during the day, and in the evening and at night (from 19.00 to 07.00) and on weekends - about 2 kroons (plus the cost of a call is 40 ore). Cellular numbers begin with the numbers 450 and 900, a call to such phones is made directly, without dialing the area code or operator.

The telephone network is very developed and modern. From an ordinary public payphone, you can call anywhere in Sweden and to any country in the world. Pay phones are installed everywhere and work with phone cards (30, 60 and 100 kroons, sold at newspaper and tobacco kiosks, Telia offices and post offices) and regular credit cards. The cost of a call within the city is 1 kroon per minute plus 2 kroons for connection.

Currency exchange

Swedish krona, in one krone 100 øre, one US dollar is approximately equal to 10 Swedish kronor. Most of the banks in the country are open only in weekdays from 9.30 to 15.00, some banks in the center of Stockholm - from 9.00 to 17.30. Exchange offices are open seven days a week at airports, train stations, marinas, and main post offices. In some exchange offices, the cost of the service is expressed as a percentage of the exchange amount, in others a fixed fee for the operation is set, regardless of the amount. ATMs operate around the clock. They accept all major credit cards: American Express, Diner's Club, Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa. By the way, it is better to buy crowns in Moscow or St. Petersburg - it will cost you less than in Sweden.

Visa

To enter the country, you must have a passport and a visa (Schengen), obtained on the basis of an invitation. Consular fee of 25 US dollars. Russians with a stay of no more than 3 months are not subject to registration.

Customs regulations

Import of national and foreign currency is not limited. The export of foreign currency is not limited, national - no more than 6 thousand crowns in banknotes with a denomination of no more than 1 thousand crowns. You can get a partial VAT refund using the tax-free system on purchases of goods over $50. When buying, you must present your passport, and you will receive a special export check. Duty free you can import a liter of strong alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of over 22 ° or two liters of strong wines with a strength of 15 ° to 22 °, two liters of wine up to 15 ° and two liters of beer, as well as 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 550 g of tobacco. Alcohol is allowed only for persons over 20 years of age, tobacco products - for persons over 18.
Prohibited for export are food products (with the exception of tea and coffee), animals and plants without special permits, drugs and doping agents, mobile phones that do not meet the requirements of the Swedish telephone network. Weapons, flammable and explosives, art objects.

Holidays and non-working days

January 1 - New Year
January 6 - Epiphany
April 13 - Good Friday
April 15 - Easter
May 1 - Labor Day
June 3 - Trinity
June 6 - Swedish Independence Day
November 1 - All Saints Day
December 24 - Christmas Eve
December 25-26 - Christmas

The "Water Festival", which is held for the seventh year in a row, is a grandiose event not only on the scale of Sweden, but of the whole of Northern Europe. The culmination of the festival is the "Duck Race": a swim of 40,000 numbered plastic ducks (Water-festa emblem). The owner of the winning bird receives a prize - "Volvo-850", which is awarded in the main hall of the Stockholm City Hall, where the king and queen arrive to the sound of fanfare.

Transport

Trains are the main mode of transport outside of major cities, they serve regional centers. The railway network is most developed in the southern part of Sweden, where most of the country's cities are concentrated. Bus service is well developed. Buses are the only mode of transport to reach remote parts of the country. Express lines of SweBus connect more than 1500 settlements. Bus fares are significantly lower than train fares. Swedish roads meet the highest standards, only the appearance of moose and reindeer on the roads at dusk and at night spoils them.

Ships ply between Stockholm and Gothenburg and the islands of the Stockholm archipelago. And steamboats on lakes such as Vättern, Siljan and Tonrnetesk in Lapland make cruises in the summer, which are very popular with the local population.

The main international airport Arlanda is located half an hour north of Stockholm. There are daily flights to most European countries. Most flights from North America and Asia usually land in Copenhagen, where you will have to transfer. Ferries operate rail and bus lines to travel to Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Poland, Estonia and the UK and other European countries.

Tips

Hotel prices include service charges. Service in restaurants is included in the bill. Late evening fees are higher. Taxi drivers should not take tips.

The shops

Shops in Sweden do not have strictly defined days of the week and opening hours. As a rule, this is Monday - Friday from 9:30 to 18:00. Department stores and other large stores are usually open on Sundays, from 12:00 to 16:00. Grocery stores are open daily, usually until 20:00, and some even longer.

National cuisine

The Swedes traditionally use in their cooking mainly those products that can withstand long winter storage. Meals prepared by Swedish chefs are usually hearty, high in fat and sugar. For frying and stewing, the Swedes use pork fat (lard). Fish dishes are also popular. For example, it is customary for Swedes to start any feast with an appetizer with salted herring, followed by another fish. After fish dishes, it is customary to change plates and then move on to other dishes.

Surely everyone is familiar with the expression "buffet". In Swedish it sounds like "Smergasbrod". The history of this table is as follows: in ancient times, when the Swedes gathered guests for some reason, they naturally thought, first of all, about how to feed all the guests. And the guests, it should be noted, arrived from afar, from different villages scattered across the expanses of this large and sparsely populated country. In order not to keep them waiting for a long time, dishes were served that could last for several days: salted herring, salads of potatoes and boiled vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, cold meats and, of course, sandwiches. In the modern sense, a buffet is a reception at which self-service is organized. a large number guests. They usually eat standing up or sitting somewhere away from the table, so as not to interfere with other guests approaching the table.

Swedish cuisine includes a large number of fish dishes. This salted herring, herring in mustard, in wine, with onions, herring fillet with white sauce, herring grilled or baked in the oven with lemon, herring marinated in glasmestarsil, as well as crustaceans, caviar, boiled sea pike "lutfisk" and River fish. Fish dishes are complemented by salads of potatoes and boiled vegetables, hard-boiled eggs with various sauces, hearty soups such as beer soup "elebrad" or oyster soup "nasselsuppa-med-egg".

From meat dishes stand out pork roll flaskrulader, spicy easterband pork sausage, minced reindeer meat renstek, leverpaste, large dumplings kottbullar, Christmas ham and roast elk unstekt alg. For dessert, pancakes, muffins, biscuits, pies (apple and blueberry with rhubarb are especially tasty) and cookies are served. From drinks, the Swedes prefer coffee and mineral water. Of the alcoholic drinks, punch and grog are popular.

Attractions and resorts

The main sights of Sweden, of course, can be seen in Stockholm- one of the most beautiful capitals of Northern Europe: the Maritime Museum, churches of the 13th century, the royal palace, the Knight's House of the 17th century, the Church of St. Nicholas of the 13th century, the National, Historical and Northern Museums. IN Uppsala and Lunde the cathedrals of the 12th century are well known; castles of the 16th century deserve special attention. Gripsholm, Vadstene and Kalmar. The main attractions of Sweden include the main city of the largest islands of gotland- Visby, which in the Middle Ages was an important trading center, and today it is known as the city of "ruins and roses", which has preserved 92 church towers. You can also visit the second largest island in Sweden - Öland, connected to the mainland by a modern bridge. Stockholm is the residence of the king and a major trading port in the Baltic.

Legendary Northern Territory - Lapland, belongs to Finland, Norway, Russia (in the west of the Kola Peninsula) and Sweden. The nature of Lapland is not only forests and snow-covered plains. This is a land of picturesque nature, which is carefully protected in numerous National parks. The most famous national parks of this region are Abisko, Padyelanta, Muddus, Sarek. The parks of Padjelanta and Sarek are the largest in Sweden, each with an area of ​​more than 200,000 hectares, of which 90% are occupied by mountains. There are about 400 species of plants in Padielanta National Park, as well as a wide variety of animals, which is not typical for mountainous areas. national park Sarek presents more than 200 mountains to tourists, the height of which exceeds 1800 m. 13 of the highest points in the country are located here. For lovers of hiking, Sarek is ideal, but its trails are very difficult and close to climbing, especially since there are no campsites in Sarek, so experienced tourists are recommended to visit it. Here you can meet such animals as bears, lynxes, wolverines, elks. In Abisko National Park, there is a deep crevasse that rises up from Lake Thornetrask. This place is one of the most popular for "winter" tourists who want to see the northern lights with their own eyes. Muddus National Park is almost entirely occupied by dense forests and swamps, and the swamps around Lake Muddusjärvi are home to a large number of bird species. In the summer in Lapland, white nights are observed for 100 days, that is, the Sun does not set below the horizon, and in winter the polar night sets in for three whole months. It is during this season of the year that you can see the northern lights.

Sweden's northernmost city is Kiruna, it is located beyond the Arctic Circle and is often called the "city of white nights". The Kiruna Samgard Museum with an exposition dedicated to the culture of the Sami people and the Kiruna Church are of interest here. The church was built in 1912. The free-standing bell tower in front is supported by buttresses and the tombstone of the founder of Kirun. Above the main door of the church is a relief dedicated to a group of Sami under the clouds in the sky. In 2001 the church was recognized as the most beautiful building in Sweden.

IN Gothenburg there are 16 museums, among which the most interesting are the City Museum, the Art Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Ross Museum (the only museum of art crafts and design in Sweden), the Museum of the History of Medicine, the Museum of Banking, the Observatory, the Museum military history"Skansen kronan", Science Museum "Experimentum", Museum of Natural History and Museum of Navigation "Sjofarhistoriska Museum". Sweden's largest botanical garden is located in Gothenburg, with more than 12,000 species of plants, flowers, herbaceous and forest plants from all over the world. From Gothenburg, the famous Göta Canal begins, which ends in the vicinity of the city of Söderköping and connects the Kattegat and the Gulf of Bothnia. The construction of the canal began in 1810 and ended a quarter of a century later. The channel is laid through a variety of landscapes and passes through the Vanern Lake. A boat trip on the Göta Canal is considered one of the main excursions in Sweden.

In the very south of Sweden in the resort region of Skåne is the city Malmö. Tourists will be amazed by the variety of museums in the city, the largest of which are the Museum of History and Art and the Art Museum with an excellent collection of paintings by Russian artists. Also of interest are the Gothic church of St. Petrichiurka, built in 1319; Renaissance Town Hall (1546) and Malmehus Castle (1542). The central square of Malmö Lilla Torg is very beautiful, it is paved with cobblestones and surrounded by buildings of the 16th-18th centuries. In the very center of the city there are many parks where you can walk and relax. Through the Öresund Strait, Malmö is connected by a bridge to Copenhagen.

The religious capital of the country - ancient city Lund. This status is confirmed by the Romanesque Cathedral, the remains of the ancient church Drottens Churcheryun, the estate of St. Maria Minor and the Renaissance royal palace. The Lund Cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, the towers of the cathedral are 55 meters high. Its interior is made of sandstone. Under the cathedral is a chapel and ornate carvings.

ski resort Ore consists of four villages: Duved, Tegefjall, Are By and Are Bjornen- and five ski areas: Duved (Duved), Tegefjell (Tegefjall), Ope-By (Are By), Ore-Bjornen (Are Bjornen) and Rodkulle (Rodkulle). All villages are interconnected bus routes. Regardless of which village the tourist settled in, he can ski on the territory of the entire Ore complex. Ore meets all world requirements for a high-level ski resort. For the highest specifications it is often referred to as the "Scandinavian Alps". It has already hosted the Alpine Skiing World Cup three times (and one of them is the final one), and in 2007 the World Cup in this sport is scheduled. Are has the best ski lift system in Northern Europe, 100 km of slopes, 900 meters elevation difference (374-1274) and guaranteed snow from November to May.

Sweden is distinguished by a low population density (10 million people live here - less than in Moscow), a long sea coast, dense forests and countless lakes. This is one of the northernmost countries in the world. In terms of area, it is comparable to Spain, Thailand or the US state of California. Sweden's borders have not changed since 1905, and the country has not participated in wars since 1814 - which makes Sweden one of the most peaceful countries on the globe.

Contrasts of day and night

Wealth of wildlife

The diversity of Sweden's landscapes is matched by the abundance of its fauna: from wolves and brown bears in the north to roe deer and wild boars in the south. Biological diversity is the result of the richness of the plant and water world.

Large by European standards, the country stretches from north to south for 1572 km. According to climate zone, coniferous forests, in particular pine and spruce, predominate in Sweden. The further south, the more often they are adjacent to deciduous groves: birch and aspen. The very south of Sweden is gentle, picturesque fields and hills, thinned out by copses and surrounded by long sandy beaches. Thanks to the limestone-rich soil, combined with the mild climate, the islands of Gotland, Öland and parts of the Scandinavian mountains are characterized by a special flora - including various types of orchids.

Facts and figures

Capital: Stockholm

Population: 10 million

Total area: 528,447 sq. km, the third largest country in Western Europe, after France and Spain

Lifespan: Men - 81 years, women - 84 years

Population born outside the country: 17%

Religion: The Church of Sweden is Evangelical Lutheran. Numerous other faiths and religions are also represented in the country.

Language: Swedish

Form of government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy

Parliament: Riksdag, unicameral, 349 deputies

Education: 9 years compulsory school education, most pupils study for 12 years (including “gymnasium”). About a third continue their education at universities and colleges.

Working hours: The standard working week is 40 hours, the minimum paid vacation is 5 weeks.

Telephone code: +46

Internet domain:.se

Timezone: GMT+1

Currency: 1 crown (SEK) = 100 ore

GDP per capita (PPP): USD 51,475

GNI per capita: USD 49,680

Population of the largest cities (including suburbs):

Stockholm: 2,315,612

Gothenburg: 1,015,974

Malmö: 721,926

Main export products: Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals and plastic products, electronics and telecommunications equipment, energy products, industrial equipment, road vehicles, minerals, food

National parks

In 1910, Sweden became the first European country to establish national parks. The beginning was laid in the mountains of Norrland, a region in the north of the country. This helped to save one of the last corners of virgin nature in Europe from destruction. Then, throughout Sweden, vast areas were declared nature reserves and protected areas of cultural heritage.

The rule of universal access to natural lands ( allemansratten) says that everyone has the right to walk through forests and meadows, pick berries and mushrooms - without a separate permit from landowners. But this right is also associated with obvious duties: to respect private property and treat nature with care.

Geography of Sweden

Length from north to south: 1,574 km

Length from west to east: 499 km

Urbanized and industrial territories: 3%

Agricultural grounds: 8%

Forests: 53% Swamps: 9%

Fields: 7% Mountains: 12%

Lakes and rivers: 9%

highest mountain: Kebnekaise (2.103 m)

Largest lake: Vanern (5,650 sq km)

National symbols of Sweden

The official Swedish heraldry is the yellow and blue flag, the national symbol "Three Crowns", the national anthem, and the coat of arms in two versions: large and small. The oldest images blue flag with a yellow cross that have survived to this day belong to XVI century. The very symbol of the yellow cross in the Swedish army has been applied to banners and standards since time immemorial. It is based on the outlines of the ancient coat of arms of the kingdom with a blue background, divided into four parts by a golden cross. The sign of the "three crowns" has been used as the state emblem of Sweden since at least 1336, but long before that it was known to Europeans as a symbol of the "Three Wise Kings".

Since 1916, the Swedish Flag Day has appeared in the Swedish calendar - June 6th. In 1983, it was renamed the National Day of Sweden, and in 2004 it was proclaimed a public holiday and a day off. The date was chosen immediately for two reasons: on June 6, 1523, the first Swedish king, Gustav Vasa, ascended the throne, and on the same day in 1809, the country adopted a new Constitution that granted citizens civil liberties and rights.

National anthem of Sweden

The text "Du Gamla, Du Fria" ("You are ancient, you are free") was composed by the ballad writer and folklorist Richard Dübeck (1811-1877), and its musical basis was a mid-19th-century folk melody from the province of Västmanland in central Sweden. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, this ballad gained such popularity that it was declared the national anthem of Sweden.

Kingdom of Sweden

The name of the country comes from the Scandinavian svear-rige - "the state of the Svens."

Capital

Stockholm.

Square

Population

8875 thousand people

Kingdom Sweden occupies the eastern and southern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula and the islands of Öland and Gotland in the Baltic Sea. In the west it borders on Norway, in the northeast - on Finland, in the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea, separating in the south from Denmark.

Administrative division

Sweden is divided into 24 counties.

Form of government

A constitutional monarchy.

head of state

supreme legislative body

Riksdag (unicameral parliament), elected for a term of 4 years.

Supreme executive body

Government.

Big cities

Gothenburg, Malmö.

Official language

Swedish.

Religion

95% are Lutherans.

Ethnic composition

91% - Swedes, 3% - Finns, 6% - Sami, Norwegians, Danes.

Currency

Swedish krona = 100 ore.

Climate

The climate in Sweden is temperate, transitional from maritime to continental, influenced by the Gulf Stream. In September or at the end of May, when the sun does not set, white nights come. The average January temperature is from 0°С to + 5°С in the south, from - 6°С to - 14°С in the north; July - respectively from + 10°С to + 17°С. The annual amount of precipitation is 1500-1700 mm (in the mountains), 700-800 mm (on the plains of the south), 300-600 mm (in the northeast).

Flora

Forests occupy about 57% of the country's territory. In the north, they are mostly coniferous (spruce and pine), and to the south they gradually turn into deciduous trees, where oak, maple, ash, beech and linden grow. About 15% of the territory is occupied by swamps.

Fauna

Representatives of the fauna of Sweden are not too diverse, but they are numerous. In Lapland you can meet herds reindeer, moose, roe deer, squirrels, hares, foxes, martens are found in the forests, and in the northern taiga - lynxes, wolverines, brown bears. There are about 340 bird species and up to 160 fish species.

Rivers and lakes

Short full-flowing rivers - Dal-Elven, Tourne-Elv, etc. - with rapids and waterfalls. Lakes occupy about 10% of the country. The largest of them are Venern (the largest in Western Europe - 5.5 thousand km2), Mälaren, Elmaren.

Attractions

In Stockholm - the Maritime Museum, churches of the 13th century, the royal palace, the Knight's House of the 17th century, the church of St. Nicholas of the 13th century, the National, Historical, Northern museums; in Upsapa and Lund - cathedrals of the XII century; 16th century castles in Gripsholm, Vadsten and Kalmar, etc. Medieval Visby on the island of Gotland is known as a city of ruins and roses, 92 church towers have survived.

Useful information for tourists

Currency exchange is carried out in banks, exchange offices and post offices.
Normal store hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 on weekdays and from 10.00 to 15.00 on Saturday. Many shops are open on Sunday as well. Large department stores are open daily, but on Saturday, Sunday and holidays they have a shortened working day. In July, the “industrial holidays” begin (until mid-August), when all enterprises are closed, and institutions operate in an “economical” mode.

Most of the Scandinavian Peninsula, or rather, its entire south and east, is occupied by a country covered with beautiful forests with more than a thousand years of history - Sweden. Its territory is officially divided into 21 administrative districts, and the largest cities after the capital Stockholm are Gothenburg, Malmö and Uppsala. In addition to Swedish, most of the population speaks English, and in the very north of the country, minority languages ​​are relatively widespread: Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli (a dialect of Finnish). Indigenous Swedes dominate in the structure of the population (about 90%), however, in the last decade, the increased flow of economic and political immigrants from Iraq, Iran, Serbia, Somalia, Chile and other countries with a low standard of living has led to certain changes in the ethnic balance, such as the creation of national diasporas and Muslim communities.

Capital	Stockholm
Population
Population density	22 people/km 2
	Swedish
Religion	there is no state religion, Christianity is widespread
Form of government	a constitutional monarchy
	Swedish krona
Timezone	UTC+1 UTC+2 (summer)
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Despite this, the government's policy of multiculturalism and targeted education of tolerance has so far managed to ensure a relatively peaceful coexistence between Swedish citizens and foreign refugees. The Kingdom of Sweden is the world's largest producer of ball bearings and one of the European leaders in production iron ore; it is also noteworthy that 9/10 of the country's electricity needs are generated by 3 nuclear and a number of hydroelectric power plants, which can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. It is also interesting that Sweden (along with Norway) was Christianized only in the XIII century - the last of all European countries.

Climate and weather

Climatic conditions different parts Sweden are different from each other due to the considerable length of the country: in the southern regions with a temperate climate, the air temperature in summer is usually + 18 ... + 22 ° С, and in sunny and dry winters - about 0 ° С during daylight hours; in the northern regions, the subarctic climate prevails (there is nothing to be surprised if we remember that the north of Sweden is already beyond the Arctic Circle), and the average temperature in summer is around + 10 ... + 15 ° С, in winter - -15 ... -20 ° С.

Precipitation is most significant in autumn and winter, so it is better to plan a tourist trip for the end of spring or early summer, but experienced skiers will prefer the period from mid-autumn to mid-spring, during which at least a meter of snow falls in the Scandinavian mountains.

It is important to remember that summer, despite being longer in the south and southwest of the country, is usually somewhat rainier than in the cold Swedish north.

Nature

Sweden is more than half covered woodlands; according to this indicator, it is ahead of any of the European countries. Also, about 10% of the country is occupied by the blue expanse of cool clean lakes, around which there are spacious meadows.

But when going on a trip through the resinous coniferous forests or fishing to the rivers rich in salmon and trout in Sweden, it is advisable to carefully study the local environmental legislation: it is forbidden to make fires and break branches, to wash vehicles with water from natural reservoirs, to cross the boundaries of reserves without special permission and even just picking flowers. Fishing is prohibited in most bodies of water, and a can or plastic bottle thrown in the wrong place can result in a significant fine. Thanks to such strict prohibitive measures, the Swedish government has managed to preserve a true protected area for true connoisseurs of beauty, where you can admire many natural wonders: from centuries-old oaks in the south of the country to predatory, but not dangerous to humans, lynxes living in the north.

Attractions

One of the most beautiful European capitals is the Swedish city of Stockholm, almost completely located on 14 islands. Here you can visit about 75 museums for every taste, including the unique Museum of Dance, which has no analogues in the world. For connoisseurs of art, Stockholm provides an amazing opportunity to walk through the halls of as many as 100 (!) art galleries, which, among other things, have original stunning paintings by such masters as Carl Larsson and Ferdinand Fagerlin.

However, other cities of the country are sometimes not inferior to the capital Stockholm in architectural and cultural terms; for example, the port of Gothenburg, located on the west coast of Sweden, is the residence of the Swedish bishop, and one of the best concert halls in the world and the unusual Poseidon fountain are located on the main square of the city.

Also, many attractions can be visited in Malmö (town hall and castle of the Renaissance), Uppsala (the oldest university in Scandinavia and the house-museum of the great scientist Carl Linnaeus), as well as on the large island of Gotland, famous for burials of the Bronze Age, and the somewhat smaller island of Öland , where there are ancient windmills, iron age forts and the ruins of a medieval castle.

Nutrition

The traditional cuisine of Sweden was based on dishes that could be preserved for a long time. This was due to long winters and low population density. All kinds of smoked products, pickles, preserves and jams, various types of homemade cookies and bread, and other simple products subsistence farming: cheese, eggs, sausages, chopped meat, game and fresh berries. Today, Swedish cuisine is also rich in first courses (which are worth nothing but beer soups!), salads, various appetizers, pastries and delicate desserts. The food etiquette of the so-called buffet is interesting: it implies self-service, and food is not divided into portions in advance - everyone cuts or puts as much as he sees fit, and therefore it is not customary to leave food on a plate in Sweden.

Accommodation

There are many housing options for those who want to stay in Sweden: you can rent a double house (bungalow) with heating and a kitchen for $ 25-70 per day or a room on a country farm for only $ 150 per week. Daily rent of a room in the city center will cost $30-40, a hotel room - $90. In Sweden, there are also numerous chalets (villages for visitors), campsites and youth tourist camps, many of which provide decent living conditions at quite reasonable prices (up to $ 30 per day).

Entertainment and recreation

You can take part in cheerful round dances to traditional acoustic music during the summer solstice at the end of June, hear folk choral songs and admire huge bonfires - on April 30, when the Swedes celebrate the arrival of spring, and the opportunity to taste juicy ham in mustard sauce and many other culinary delights are presented on Christmas evening on December 24th.

In Sweden, the magnificent ski resorts of Salen and Ore are located, operating from October to May; in Salena, more than 140 km of trails have been laid for skiing enthusiasts, almost 100 lifts have been built, and dog sledding and powerful high-speed snowmobiles have been organized. And Ore is almost 90 km of slopes of varying difficulty.

In the major cities of the country, especially in the capital Stockholm, night life it boils all 7 days a week from the beginning to the end of the calendar year, so the adherents of the club lifestyle are sure to stay here for a long time, enthusiastically discovering new frontiers of Swedish fun, drive and luxury.

Purchases

Most shops in Sweden have not very long working hours: 8-9 hours on weekdays (usually from 10:00 to 18:00) and 4-5 hours on Saturday (often from 9 am to 2 pm), on Sundays only the most large stores.

The most popular souvenirs among tourists are trolls, Vikings, elks, as well as Swedish crystal and all kinds of runic amulets.

By the way, Sweden has a state monopoly on alcohol (except for light beer) - it is sold exclusively in specialized stores at very high prices, and only on weekdays.

Transport

The Swedish transport network is remarkably developed: intercity communication is carried out by high-speed trains and bus routes, buses run in cities, and in Stockholm there are also metro and electric trains. There is also a taxi system, but you won't often see it on the city streets without pre-booking. The roads in Sweden are of really high quality, but only an adult driver (according to Swedish laws, over 21 years old) with at least 1 year of experience with a credit card and, of course, an international driver's license can rent a car. In addition, in large cities there are problems with parking spaces. And in settlements smaller often limited time allowable parking in the center. A good alternative to renting a car in Sweden can be renting a bike - special tracks are equipped next to many highways, which makes it a popular and convenient means of getting around cities and even the whole country.

Connection

Sweden has a very modern telephony: there are 3 cellular operators using the NMT900, MT450 and GSM standards, as well as an extremely extensive communication network of ordinary fixed phones, including street phones. By the way, in addition to standard communication cards sold everywhere, the use of a payphone can often be paid immediately with a credit card, which is especially convenient if you need to call abroad (and most of the payphones in Sweden provide such an opportunity).

Safety

In Sweden, it is important to perfectly follow numerous traffic rules: always turn on the dipped headlights, buckle up all passengers of the vehicle, and so on. On the roads, the police practice periodic checks of drivers for sobriety. When traveling around Sweden by car, you should be aware of the many wild animals, some of which may unexpectedly appear on the road at the most inopportune moment.

Alcohol consumption in in public places here it is under a strict ban and is punishable by significant penalties; The situation is the same with smoking.

It should also be noted that the social problems created by the massive influx of immigrants who do not want to assimilate: for example, some Swedish cities (for example, Malmö) are now secretly divided into directly Swedish and immigrant parts - in fact, a ghetto where it is undesirable to be in the dark.

Business climate

Sweden has an extremely simple system of registration of firms and companies, rather low corporate and capital taxes. In addition, the concept of VAT is completely absent here, which is why there is practically no shadow business in the country that is unprofitable in such conditions. The Swedish government adheres to a policy of non-interference in the activities of entrepreneurs, which determines the ease of obtaining loans and the high attractiveness of projects for investors. All this creates quite favorable conditions for doing business in this stable northern country. Especially in the medium business sector.

Real estate

In Sweden, real estate is not inherited (after the death of the owner, it is returned to the state housing stock), any redevelopment must be detailed in accordance with all legal rules. And the cost of residential or commercial facility almost nothing to do with its location due to the well-developed transport network. So a building on the very outskirts of the city can be much more expensive than one located in the very center - due to the novelty of the building, recent renovation or a good design solution.