Sweden is located in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway. The terrain of Sweden is mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west.
Climate and Weather
In spite of its northern position, Sweden has a relatively mild climate which varies greatly, owing to its length. The summers can be very hot but get shorter further north. The midnight sun can be seen between mid-May and mid-June above the Arctic Circle. Winters can be bitterly cold, especially in the north.
Population
As of April 2007, the total population of Sweden was estimated to be 9,131,425. About one-fifth of Sweden's population are immigrants or have at least one foreign-born parent. The largest immigrant groups are from Finland, Iraq, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Norway, Denmark, and Poland. This reflects Nordic immigration, earlier periods of labor immigration, and later decades of refugee and family immigration.
Swedish is a Germanic language related to Danish and Norwegian but different in pronunciation and orthography. English is by far the leading foreign language, particularly among students and those under age 50.
Transportation
Transportation in Sweden by car is an organized endeavor. Budget car rental in Sweden is easy to locate in the larger cities such as Stockholm, Malmo and Gothenburg. Sweden transportation is also available through the Swedish rail network that runs through the country. Swedish rail moves between the major cities of Malmo, Helsingborg, Gothenburg and Stockholm every hour throughout the day, Mondays through Fridays. Sweden rail is meant to be affordable, and is a great way to get around the country. Buses in Sweden will generally have toilets, adjustable seats, telephones and even reading lights; comfort somewhat akin to that of an airplane. Yet another way to get around within Sweden is via the car ferry. The country of Sweden has many lakes, rivers and inlets, and there are some ferries connecting the major cities that service travelers with cars quite well.
Top Attractions
1. Lapland.
2. Skokloster Slott Castle.
3. The Viking Town of Birka.
4. The Hanseatic town of Visby.
5. Gripsholm Castle.
6. Sareks National Park.
7. Öland.
8. Old Uppsala.
9. The Kingdom of Crystal.
Best Travel Time
In the period between May and September, Sweden is at its best shape. This is the best time to visit Sweden for during this particular, you can make the most of the longer and warmer days in Sweden.
Food and Drink
National specialties:
• mörgåsbord (Scandinavian cold table. First pickled herring with boiled potatoes then perhaps a couple more fish courses, smoked salmon or anchovies followed by cold meat, pâté, sliced beef, stuffed veal or smoked reindeer).
• Köttbullar (small meatballs).
• Smoked reindeer from Lapland.
• Gravlax (salmon that has been specially prepared and marinated).
• Wild strawberries and cloudberries.
National drinks:
• Snapps (a Swedish liqueur which is traditionally drunk chilled with smörgåsbord, flavors vary from practically tasteless to sweetly spiced)..
Local Products/Shopping
A wide range of goods such as watches, cameras, wines and spirits, furs, ceramics and glass, jewelry and toys may be bought in Moscow and St Petersburg. Shops take payment in roubles and, occasionally, by credit card. It is necessary to allow extra time for souvenir hunting: shopping can be a time-consuming activity, owing to the relatively chaotic state of the retail trade in the Russian Federation. It is also advisable to shop around, as prices vary significantly. A good strategy is to choose your souvenirs in a department store such as GUM (on Red Square), and then buy them in a smaller, less centrally located shop. Kholui and Palekh lacquered boxes make attractive souvenirs. Traditional and satirical Matryoshka dolls (wooden dolls within dolls) are widely available. Khokhloma wooden cups, saucers and spoons are painted gold, red and black. Dymkovskaya Igrushka are pottery figurines based on popular folklore characters. Engraved amber, Gzhel porcelain, Vologda lace and Fabergé eggs and jewelry are highly sought after. A samovar makes a good souvenir. Antiquities, valuables, works of art and manuscripts other than those offered for sale in souvenir shops may not be taken out of the Russian Federation without an export license.
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1. Lapland.
In the period between May and September, Sweden is at its best shape. This is the best time to visit Sweden for during this particular, you can make the most of the longer and warmer days in Sweden.