Physical geography
Sweden is located in northern Europe and has an area of about 450,000 sq.km, roughly the size of Spain and twice that of the United Kingdom.Climate
The weather is mild because of the warm Gulf Stream passing by around Norway. The average temperature during the summers is around 20 degrees Celsius.The summer evenings are long and beautiful. Near the Arctic circle, day and night are equal. In the south of Sweden the sun does not set until nine o'clock in the evening - the Nordic lights.
Demography
There are only about nine million people living in Sweden, most of whom live in the south.A brief history
800-1050 AD The Viking Age. The Vikings worshipped the Asa gods such as Oden and Thor.900 Sweden is unified. Olof Skötkonung is the first king.
1050 Sweden becomes Christian.
1610-1718 The Great Power period. Many wars lead to the expansion of Swedish territory.
1812 Sweden acquires its present borders. This is also the last time Sweden was engaged in war.
1850 The breakthrough of industrialisation in Sweden.
1939-45 Sweden is neutral during the Second World War.
1950 With industry intact after the Second World War, and with high quality engineering, Sweden becomes one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
1995 Sweden becomes a member of the European Union.
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran 94 per cent, Roman Catholic 1.5 per cent, Pentecostal one per cent, other 3.5 per cent (1987).Languages spoken by nationals
Swedish. Most people also speak excellent English.Time
One hour ahead of GMT.Currency
The currency of Sweden is the krona.Official holidays (all offices and shops closed)
1 Jan, New Year's Day - 6 Jan, Epiphany - 28 March, Good Friday - Easter Sunday - 31 March, East Monday - 1 May, Labour Day - 16 May, Ascension Day - 26 May, Whit Sunday - 27 May, Whit Monday - 21 June, Midsummer Eve - 22 June, Midsummer Day - 1 Nov, All Saints Day - 24 Dec, Christmas Eve - 25 Dec, Christmas Day - 26 Dec, Boxing Day - 31 Dec, New Year's Eve.What one should not fail to see
Stockholm: Drottningholm Castle, Hallwyl, Rosendal Castle, The Royal Palace, The House of Knights, Ulriksdal Palace, Old Town, Cathedral, Skansen park, ship museum, Vasa ship. Just outside Stockholm is Haringe Castle built in 1628.Gothenburg: modern art museum and many others, the Avenue, Haga picturesque area, the Fish Church Market, Eriksberg Docklands.
Rotterdam: Europe's largest port. Enjoy the water landscapes, open sea and narrow canals, the mountains. Tour glassworks. Visby in Gotland is a town dating from the Middle Ages.
Frontier formalities
Import of alcoholic beverages - one litre liquor and two litres wine - 16-22 per cent alcohol content, or two litres of wine -less than 16 per cent alcohol content. and 15 litres of beer.Must be at least 20 years old. Tobacco - 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of other manufactured tobacco products, or 50 cigars.
Animals: The mandatory quarantine period for Sweden is four months and you must apply in advance.
Main travel routes
Various airlines fly to Sweden including: SAS, Finnair, Icelandair and American Airlines. Most major European airlines also have excellent connections.There is a well organised system of trains and ferries between the European continent, Great Britain and Sweden. They can be quite luxurious, featuring sleeping and dining cars. Ferry: From Estonia. Tallinn to Stockholm Depart 3-4/week. 14-hour journey. EuroCruises. From Germany. Kiel to Nynashamn. Depart 1/week. 25-hour journey. EuroCruises. From Great Britain. Newcastle to Gothenburg Depart 1/week, 22-hour journey. Scandinavian Seaways From Russia. St. Petersburg to Nynashamn. Depart 1/week, 25-hour journey. Other crossings are available between Sweden and the rest of Europe.
