From the arctic beauty of the North to the castles of Skåne, Sweden is a country where you'll find plenty to see, learn, and do - no matter when you come or where you go.

Geography
Sweden's regions include the North (Land of the Midnight Sun), The Lake and Folklore District, Stockholm and surrounds, the Crystal Kingdom and the Islands of the Sun, Gothenburg and the West, and the Castle Country and the South.

History
What most people know of Scandinavian history is limited to the Vikings, and what most people know of the Vikings is limited to a vague idea that they were plunderers. In fact, the Vikings of what is now Sweden had a much more lasting impact on history as traders and as founders of some of the great cities of medieval Russia. Embarking from settlements like Birka, tucked deeply and safely within the bays of the Swedish coast, these early seamen headed east and south, establishing trade routes that extended as far as Byzantium and the Golden Caliphate of Baghdad.

At the turn of the millennium, after about two centuries of prosperity and power, the trade empire of the Vikings began to decline. Continental Europe began its economic rise, and the power of the Vikings in Swedish lands was supplanted by the newly prosperous farmers of the interior plains.

Modern Sweden maintains a worldwide reputation for its progressive social welfare policies, which were the outcome of a steady evolution toward democratic government that began in the early nineteenth century. As Swedes are quick to point out, such policies were also the result of the country's strong industrial achievement and its sustained economic osperity in this century.

At the same time, Sweden has carefully maintained the pristine beauty of its stunning natural environment - it holds the only extensive wilderness area left in Europe, and the waters of Stockholm remain clean and clear enough for fishing and even a downtown swim. As we move toward the twenty-first century, Sweden seems to offer-as it has offered for decades-an irresistible picture of where the rest of the world would like to be.

Capital
Stockholm is like no other capital in the world. Built on fourteen islands, it rises gracefully from water so clean that you can go swimming or fishing in the very heart of the city. Its waterfront is alive with boats, from ferries to shuttle you around the city to sailboats and yachts that cruise out into the vast archipelago that stretches into the Baltic. Of course getting around doesn't require a boat-you can walk, bike, drive or take advantage of the city's impeccable mass-transit system.

The history of Stockholm dates back to the 13th century, and the best place to discover it is in Gamla Stan, the Old Town. Gamla Stan is famous for its winding, cloistered streets, boutiques, and cozy restaurants, all gathered close by to the Royal Palace. An hour's boat ride brings you to the gardens of Drottningholm Palace, the pastoral residence of Sweden's Royal Family.

Within the graceful architecture of this historic capital you will discover a cultural life of exceptional vitality and energy. Hundreds of restaurants of varying taste and style are found here, as well as innumerable shops and galleries showcasing the works of Stockholm's exceptional arts community. Music in the city ranges over all types, from folk dancing in the parks and summer jazz festivals and classical concerts to Swedish and American pop and rock. In a metropolitan area with well over a million people, you can escape the crowds-to a quiet beach, a lush forest, or even a deserted island if you like-sometimes in as little as half an hour. Or you can join the crowd, perhaps in the park for free aerobics classes.

Climate
Sweden does get colder in the northern regions, however-and with good reason. As the third largest country in Europe (at more than 170,000 sq.mi/ 450,000 sq.km), Sweden covers a lot of ground. From north to south it stretches nearly one thousand miles, about the same distance that separates Miami from New York City! And fully half of that vast expanse is still covered by beautiful forest.

People often equate Sweden with the North Pole. For many, it's a place where polar bears paw their way through the streets and people go around dressed like eskimos. It would be a lie to say that it can't get cold here in the winter, but Sweden is nowhere near THAT cold. In fact, one is just as likely to see camels in the streets of Stockholm, which is as close to the Sahara Desert as it is to the North Pole.

Culture
It is undoubtedly through the export of its culture that Sweden has had its greatest impact upon the world. From the strong, clean design sensibility of its Functionalist movement to the immaculate cinematic masterpieces of Ingmar Bergman, the unique cultural outlook of Sweden has gained an international currency that far exceeds what one might expect from this modestly-sized nation.

One source of this unusual cultural strength, paradoxically enough, has been Sweden's historic position at the margins of Europe. Relatively isolated from the main currents of continental European cultural change, many of Sweden's artistic traditions developed their own rich and distinctive character. Drawing inspiration from folk culture, as well as from the stunning beauty of the land itself, these traditions have maintained a vitality and a bold simplicity that are now appreciated all over the world.

And, of course, Sweden is home to the world's most revered award, the Nobel Prize. Established by Alfred Nobel (1833-1896), the Swedish inventor of dynamite, the prize is awarded each year in five different categories: Chemistry, Physics, Medicine or Physiology, Literature, and Peace. In 1968, the Swedish National Treasury established a prize for economic science, dedicated to the memory of Alfred Nobel and awarded each year with the other prizes.

Food
Sweden offers the traveler a rich variety of world-famous foods for almost every taste and budget. From local specialties in cozy restaurants or country inns to "nouvelle cuisine" in elegant hotels or sophisticated restaurants of international standard. Restaurants offer excellent values, especially lunch, served from 11am-2pm. Look for the daily special, or "Dagens." It can be a big meal, so you won't have to worry about holding out until dinner. Tipping is also no worry: most hotels and restaurants include a service charge, though some restaurants expect a 7-10% gratuity for evening meals.

Shopping
Sweden is also known for its traditional handicrafts, furs, design and crystal, pewter and brass works, as well as automobiles, aquavits and furniture. Quaint shops and department stores offer a large selection of merchandise. A value added tax called "moms" is always included on all posted prices. Shoppers can avoid this tax by having their purchases shipped by the store to North America or by shopping at one of the 15,000 stores that offer tax-free shopping for purchases of at least SEK 200 ($25). Ask for tax-free service at the time of purchase. Upon departure at any exit point port, ferry terminal, airport, border crossing from the last EU country visited - make sure to visit the "Tax-Free Counter" and present the required documents and purchased goods (in sealed bags) before check-in to receive your VAT refund.

Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway

Area-comparative: slightly larger than California

Coastline: 3,218 km

Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north

Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower

Geography—note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

Population: 8,873,052 (July 2000 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Swede(s)
adjective: Swedish

Ethnic groups: white, Lapp (Sami), foreign-born or first-generation immigrants 12% (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks)

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5% (1987)

Languages: Swedish
note: small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form: Sweden
local long form: Konungariket Sverige
local short form: Sverige

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital: Stockholm

National Holiday: Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June

Constitution: 1 January 1975

Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rolf EKEUS
chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702
telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600
FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lyndon Lowell OLSON, Jr.
embassy: Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholm
mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch)
telephone: [46] (8) 783 53 00
FAX: [46] (8) 661 19 64

Flag description: blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy—overview: Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole twentieth century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. In recent years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by budgetary difficulties, inflation, high unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. Sweden has harmonized its economic policies with those of the EU, which it joined at the start of 1995. Sweden decided not to join the euro system at its outset in January 1999 but plans to hold a referendum in 2000 on whether to join. Annual GDP growth is forecast for 2.2% and 2.6% in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Budgetary problems and shaky business confidence will constrain government plans to reduce unemployment.

Labor force—by occupation: community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining and manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking, insurance 9%, communications 7.2%, construction 7%, agriculture, fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)

Unemployment rate: 6.3% plus about 5% in training programs (1998 est.)

Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles

Exports—commodities: machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals

Imports—commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing

Currency: 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere

Telephone system: excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system
domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cable carry most voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay network carries some additional telephone channels
international: 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note-Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)

Railways:
total: 13,415 km (includes 3,594 km of privately-owned railways)
standard gauge: 13,415 km 1.435-m gauge (7,917 km electrified and 1,152 km double track) (1996)

Highways:
total: 138,000 km
paved: 105,018 km (including 1,330 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,982 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: 2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges

Ports and harbors: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall

Airports: 255 (1998 est.)

Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)

Military branches: Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force