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Sweden

Sverige

Capital:Stockholm
Population:10.6M
Currency:Swedish Krona (SEK)
Language:Swedish
Royal guard change in Stockholm, Sweden

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Sweden.

Sweden Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Life in Sweden is greatly influenced by its geographic location and climate. Much of the country experiences long, dark winters and short vibrant summers. Despite the harshness of winter, Swedes are not a people to hide indoors. Instead they participate in many winter sports and activities that help winter days pass quickly. Swedes are somewhat reserved, friendships are important but take time to develop.

Swedes are proud of their nation as well as regions and towns.

Swedes can rely on a generous social welfare system to provide health, education, and retirement benefits.

Sweden awards all Nobel prizes (Chemistry, literature, medicine and physics) except the Nobel Peace Prize.

Being on time is extremely important to adults in Sweden, In fact, Swedes are stereotyped as being obsessive about time. In Swedish schools tardy slips and hall passes are not used .

Cultural Attributes

Life in Sweden is greatly influenced by its geographic location and climate.  Much of the country experiences long, dark winters and short vibrant summers.  Despite the harshness of winter, Swedes are not a people to hide indoors. Instead, they participate in many winter sports and activities that help winter days pass quickly. Swedes are somewhat reserved, friendships are meaningful but take time to develop.

Swedes are proud of their nation as well as regions and towns.

Swedes can rely on a generous social welfare system to provide health, education, and retirement benefits.

Sweden awards all Nobel prizes (Chemistry, literature, medicine, and physics) except the Nobel Peace Prize.

Being on time is extremely important to adults in Sweden, In fact, Swedes are stereotyped as being obsessive about time.  In Swedish schools, tardy slips and hall passes are not used

Royal guard change in Stockholm, Sweden

Kingdom of Winter Lights and Innovation

Get More Customs and Culture

6 more cultural topics for members

Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation · Student Life

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Holidays

  • Flag Day

    6/6

    Independence

    Since 1916, 6 June has been celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day. This finally also became Sweden's National Day in 1983. The reasons for the choice of date are twofold: the election of Gustav Vasa as Sweden's king on 6 June 1523 laid the foundation of Sweden as a separate state; and on the same date in 1809, Sweden adopted a new constitution which included the establishment of civil rights and liberties.

  • Labor Day

    5/1

    Other

    A day to honor the nation’s workers

  • Birth date - Alfred Bernhard Nobel

    10/21

    Birthday

    Birth date - Alfred Bernhard Nobel, Swedish inventor of dynamite who established the Nobel Prizes, was born in Stockholm, Sweden on Oct. 21, 1833.

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    On December 13th, one of the shortest days of winter, girls dress up as Santa Lucia wearing a white dress and a crown of candles . Boys carry a candle and wear a kind of white pajama. They wear hats that are pointy with golden stars on them. Girls do not wear candles anymore because their hair caught on fire. Today they use modern candles with batteries in them. After lunch most schools close on Santa Lucia day around noon. There are special foods for Lucia’s Day like Lussekatter and spicy gingerbread biscuits. In big cities there are beauty contests where some women dress up as Santa Lucia and the judges and the people vote for the Santa Lucia of the year.

    Song for Santa Lucia English Version

    The night goes with weighty step round yard and (stove i.e. house, hearth?) round earth. The sun’s departure leaves the woods brooding. There in our dark house, appears with lighted candles Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia. The night goes great and mute. Now one hears its wings in every silent room murmuring as if from wings. Look at our threshold. There she stands white-clad with lights in her hair Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia The darkness shall soon depart from the earth’s valleys thus she speaks a wonderful word to us. The day shall rise anew from the rosy sky. Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.

    Swedish Version

    Natten går tunga fjät rund gård och stuva; kring jord, som sol förlät, skuggoma ruva. Då i vårt mörka hus, stiger med tända Uus, Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia. Natten går stor och stum nu hörs dess vingar i alla tysta rum sus som av vingar. Se, på vår tröskel står vitklädd med ljus i hår Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia. Mörkret ska flyta snart urjordens dalar så hon ett underbart ord till oss talar. Dagen ska åter ny stiga ur rosig sky. Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

Dates of Interest

  • October 4th

    Cinnamon Bun Day, celebrated on October 4th, is dedicated to Sweden's beloved pastry, the cinnamon bun. Bakeries and individuals bake and share these sweet treats throughout the day.

How do people greet each other in Sweden?

Swedes shake hands when entering or leaving a social setting, or nod from a distance, and usually address each other by first name.

Do

  • Shake hands when arriving or leaving
  • Use first names in most situations
  • Use titles in formal situations
  • Nod from a distance when appropriate

What are the dining customs in Sweden?

Meals reflect a mix of traditional and health-conscious eating, with the main meal ("middag") traditionally eaten at midday and social dinners lasting into the evening.

Do

  • Try breakfast staples like fil (yogurt) and knäckebröd (crisp bread) with coffee
  • Enjoy open-face sandwiches (smörgåsar)
  • Join an August crayfish party with beer and aquavit
  • Stay after dinner for coffee and conversation until 11 PM

What etiquette should I know when visiting a Swedish home?

Swedes visit only by prior arrangement, value punctuality highly, and expect guests to be respectful and prompt.

Do

  • Arrive on time or a few minutes early
  • Remove your shoes when entering a home
  • Bring indoor shoes or clogs in bad weather
  • Send a thank-you card if you didn't bring a gift

Don’t

  • Don't visit without prior arrangements
  • Don't be late

Good to know

  • Being on time is extremely important to Swedes
  • A host usually offers guests something to drink

How should I dress in Sweden?

Swedes wear warm, conservative European fashions suited to the climate.

Good to know

  • Traditional folk costumes for women include white blouses, vests, and long dark skirts with aprons
  • Men's folk costumes include white shirts, vests, dark knee-length breeches, and white hose

What gestures and customs are unique to Sweden?

Sweden has several distinctive gestures, from the friendly two-finger salute to careful toasting etiquette.

Do

  • Make eye contact with each person when toasting before sipping
  • Give a slight nod or bow with a handshake in formal settings
  • Use the two-finger salute as a friendly greeting or thanks

Good to know

  • Swedes knock on wood, usually three times, to ward off bad luck after expressing a hope

What is family and social life like in Sweden?

About 80 percent of Swedes live in urban areas, and a generous welfare system supports families throughout life.

Good to know

  • Families receive government money to support each child under 16 and those in secondary school or university
  • Every employed person receives at least five weeks of paid vacation each year
  • The government provides benefits for unemployment, retirement, and medical care

What do Swedes do for recreation?

Singing in choirs is Sweden's most popular hobby, and Swedes love outdoor activities and sports year-round.

Do

  • Try popular sports like soccer (fotboll), skiing, tennis, golf, swimming, and ice hockey
  • Use town exercise trails for jogging, walking, or cross-country skiing
  • Watch or join the 86-kilometer Vasaloppet cross-country ski race each March

Good to know

  • Tennis surged in popularity after Björn Borg won five straight Wimbledon titles
  • The Vasaloppet commemorates Gustav Vasa's 1523 flight on skis

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Sweden

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
Swedish krona (SEK)
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Despite its northern latitude, Sweden’s climate is not excessively cold due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream and the Baltic Sea. The mean annual temperature is 48 degrees F. Stockholm is situated at approximately the same latitude as Juneau, Alaska. During most of December and early January, the sun does not rise before 9 a.m. and sets as early as 2:30 p.m. Snow usually falls in January, February, and March. The average temperature range for January is 27° F to 30° F. Spring comes late, with snow possible even in May. By June, daylight is almost continuous, and the vegetation is luxuriant. In July, the average temperature range is 57° F to 72° F. Many firms close down for the month so that the entire staff can take vacation. The average annual rainfall in Stockholm is 22 inches. It rains an average of 164 days a year.
Airports
255
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Gravad lax

Main Dish

Browse all 23 recipes

History

Historical Eras

  1. Viking & Early Kingdom

    793 – 1397

    Swedish Vikings emerged as formidable merchant-warriors, trading and raiding as far as Constantinople and the Caspian Sea. By the 11th century, Sweden was consolidating into a unified Christian kingdom following the introduction of Christianity by St. Ansgar in 829. The kingdom gradually expanded to include Finland, developing distinct administrative and ecclesiastical structures through the 12th and 13th centuries.

  2. Kalmar Union

    1397 – 1523

    Queen Margaret of Denmark united Sweden, Denmark, and Norway under the Kalmar Union in 1397, creating a pan-Nordic political entity. Persistent tensions between Swedish nobility and Danish royal authority fueled repeated conflict, culminating in the Stockholm Bloodbath of 1520, in which Danish King Christian II executed scores of Swedish nobles. This atrocity galvanized Swedish resistance under Gustav Vasa, who dissolved the union and established an independent Swedish state.

  3. Vasa Dynasty

    1523 – 1611

    Gustav Vasa's election as king in 1523 founded the Vasa dynasty and marked the birth of modern Sweden. He broke with Rome, established the Lutheran Reformation, and centralized royal authority over the nobility and church alike. Sweden seized Estonian territory in 1551 and concluded the Peace of Stettin in 1570, securing Danish recognition of its full sovereignty.

  4. Swedish Empire

    1611 – 1721

    Through successive wars against Denmark, Russia, and Poland, Sweden emerged as the dominant power of northern Europe, ruling Finland, the eastern Baltic coast, and significant portions of northern Germany. Gustav II Adolf's decisive intervention in the Thirty Years' War reshaped the religious and political balance of the continent before his death at Lützen in 1632. The empire collapsed following the Great Northern War, when Karl XII's overextended campaigns against Russia ended in catastrophic defeat and the 1721 Peace of Nystad stripped Sweden of most of its Baltic territories.

  5. Constitutional & Napoleonic Era

    1721 – 1814

    Defeat in the Great Northern War ushered in the Age of Liberty, a parliamentary era in which the Riksdag assumed dominance over the crown. Sweden suffered further territorial contraction during the Napoleonic Wars, losing Finland to Russia in 1809 in a humiliating peace. French Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte was elected Crown Prince in 1810, founding the Bernadotte dynasty and steering Sweden toward the allied coalition that defeated Napoleon.

  6. Industrialization & Neutrality

    1814 – 1905

    The Congress of Vienna compensated Sweden for its German losses with a dynastic union with Norway, which lasted peacefully until Norway's dissolution of the arrangement in 1905. Domestically, Sweden underwent a profound agricultural and industrial transformation, though economic hardship drove approximately 1.5 million Swedes to emigrate to the United States between 1850 and 1930. A tradition of non-alignment in peacetime solidified during this era, laying the groundwork for Swedish neutrality in both World Wars.

  7. Modern Sweden

    1905 – present

    Sweden maintained armed neutrality through both World Wars, benefiting economically from wartime demand for steel, timber, and industrial goods, and used postwar prosperity to construct one of the world's most comprehensive welfare states under Social Democratic governance. The country joined the European Union in 1995 but declined to adopt the euro, reflecting enduring ambivalence about deeper European integration. In 2022, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden abandoned its historic neutrality doctrine and formally applied for NATO membership.

Overview

During the seventh and eighth centuries, the Swedes were merchant seamen well known for their far-reaching trade. In the ninth century, Nordic Vikings raided and ravaged the European Continent as far as the Black and Caspian Seas. During the 11th and 12th centuries, Sweden gradually became a unified Christian kingdom that later included Finland. Queen Margaret of Denmark united all the Nordic lands in the "Kalmar Union" in 1397.

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Timeline of Key Events

  1. 829

    Christianity introduced by St. Ansgar.

    Christianity introduced by St. Ansgar.

  2. 860

    Swedish Vikings attacked Constantinople.

    Swedish Vikings attacked Constantinople.

  3. 1054

    Sweden and Denmark set boundaries.

    Sweden and Denmark set boundaries.

  4. 1250

    King Eriksson died

    King Eriksson died; Valdemar crowned King; Birger Jarl declared regent until Valdemar is of age

  5. 1266

    King Valdemar overthrown by brothers.

    King Valdemar overthrown by brothers.

  6. 1318

    Peasants revolted against King.

    Peasants revolted against King.

  7. 1323

    Sweden and Russia establish border.

    Sweden and Russia establish border.

View full timeline (42 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • They put their tooth in a glass of water. In the morning their tooth will be gone and a coin will be in the glass.

  • Every year, the Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden. Alfred Nobel, who founded the prizes, was a Swedish manufacturer of armaments and explosives.

  • In July 2000, a bridge linking Sweden and Denmark was opened by Sweden's King Carl Gustav xvi and Denmark's Queen Margrethe II. The 16-kilometre Öresund Link spans the water between Lernacken, near Malmö, and Kastrup, near Copenhagen.

  • One-seventh of Sweden lies north of the Arctic Circle. This region is called the Land of the Midnight Sun because the sun shines almost 24 hours a day for several weeks in late June and early July. In December and January, the sun barely rises above the horizon.

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Geography and Environment

Sweden is bounded on the west by Norway and an arm of the North Sea, on the north by Norway and Finland, and on the east and south by the Baltic Sea. The country is long and narrow, encompassing an area of 174,000 square miles. In the northwest are mountains, and lakes abound throughout Sweden. To the south and east are forests, fertile valleys, and plains.
Terrain
mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Climate
Despite its northern latitude, Sweden’s climate is not excessively cold due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream and the Baltic Sea. The mean annual temperature is 48 degrees F. Stockholm is situated at approximately the same latitude as Juneau, Alaska. During most of December and early January, the sun does not rise before 9 a.m. and sets as early as 2:30 p.m. Snow usually falls in January, February, and March. The average temperature range for January is 27° F to 30° F. Spring comes late, with snow possible even in May. By June, daylight is almost continuous, and the vegetation is luxuriant. In July, the average temperature range is 57° F to 72° F. Many firms close down for the month so that the entire staff can take vacation. The average annual rainfall in Stockholm is 22 inches. It rains an average of 164 days a year.
Natural Hazards
ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Current Environmental Issues
acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Swedish

  • Swedish

Population

Population
10,551,707
Population in Major Urban Areas
STOCKHOLM (capital) 1.385 million
Nationality Noun
Swede(s)
Ethnic Groups
indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
Language Note
The numbers in Swedish and in English are very similar. If, for example, you want to say 31 you just take the word for 30, "trettio", and the word for 5, "fem", and put them together to make "trettiofem". This works in exactly the same way as it does in English.  Sweden uses the Roman alphabet with three extra letters.  å ö ä.  Some words are the same in English and Swedish for example "man" and "person" are the same.

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Sweden
Full Country Name
Kingdom of Sweden
Local - Long
Konungariket Sverige
Local - Short
Sverige

Government Structure

Government Type
constitutional monarchy
Legal System
civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive Branch
chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Ulf KRISTERSSON (since 18 October 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is elected prime minister by the parliament election results: Ulf KRISTERSSON elected prime minister following the September 2022 general election, in which his center-right Moderate Party-led coalition secured a narrow parliamentary majority; election held 11 September 2022 (next to be held in September 2026)
Legislative Branch
unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 September 2022 (next to be held in September 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 30.3%, Sweden Democrats 20.5%, Moderates 19.1%, Left Party 6.7%, Center Party 6.7%, Christian Democrats 5.3%, Liberal Party 4.7%, Greens 5.1%; seats by party - Social Democrats 107, Sweden Democrats 73, Moderates 68, Left Party 24, Center Party 24, Christian Democrats 19, Liberal Party 16, Greens 18
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
1-Jan-75
Independence
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
National Holiday
Flag Day, 6 June

Capital City

Capital Name
Stockholm
Capital - geographic coordinate
59 20 N, 18 03 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

stock and holm literally mean "log" and "islet" in Swedish, but there is no consensus as to what the words refer to

Military

Branches: Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy in Stockholm

Dag Hammarskjoldsvag 31

SE-115 89 Stockholm

Telephone: (46) (8) 783-5300

Emergency after-hours telephone: (46) (8) 783-5300

Fax: (46) (8) 783-5480

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Economy

Sweden has achieved a high standard of living under a mixed system of advanced capitalism and extensive welfare benefits, supported by more than two centuries of peace and a long tradition of neutrality, though the country joined NATO in March…

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Swedish Krona (SEK)
GDP — official exchange rate
$348,100,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
2.7%
Gini Index
25
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News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

Despite its northern latitude, Sweden’s climate is not excessively cold due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream and the Baltic Sea. The mean annual temperature is 48 degrees F. Stockholm is situated at approximately the same latitude as Juneau, Alaska. During most of December and early January, the sun does not rise before 9 a.m. and sets as early as 2:30 p.m. Snow usually falls in January, February, and March. The average temperature range for January is 27° F to 30° F. Spring comes late, with snow possible even in May. By June, daylight is almost continuous, and the vegetation is luxuriant. In July, the average temperature range is 57° F to 72° F. Many firms close down for the month so that the entire staff can take vacation. The average annual rainfall in Stockholm is 22 inches. It rains an average of 164 days a year.

Videos

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Sweden?
The population of Sweden is approximately 10.6M.
How do people greet each other in Sweden?
Swedes shake hands when entering or leaving a social setting, or nod from a distance, and usually address each other by first name. Do: Shake hands when arriving or leaving Use first names in most situations Use titles in formal situations Nod from a distance when appropriate
What are the dining customs in Sweden?
Meals reflect a mix of traditional and health-conscious eating, with the main meal ("middag") traditionally eaten at midday and social dinners lasting into the evening. Do: Try breakfast staples like fil (yogurt) and knäckebröd (crisp bread) with coffee Enjoy open-face sandwiches (smörgåsar) Join an August crayfish party with beer and aquavit Stay after dinner for coffee and conversation until 11 PM
What etiquette should I know when visiting a Swedish home?
Swedes visit only by prior arrangement, value punctuality highly, and expect guests to be respectful and prompt. Do: Arrive on time or a few minutes early Remove your shoes when entering a home Bring indoor shoes or clogs in bad weather Send a thank-you card if you didn't bring a gift Don't: Don't visit without prior arrangements Don't be late Being on time is extremely important to Swedes A host usually offers guests something to drink
How should I dress in Sweden?
Swedes wear warm, conservative European fashions suited to the climate. Traditional folk costumes for women include white blouses, vests, and long dark skirts with aprons Men's folk costumes include white shirts, vests, dark knee-length breeches, and white hose
What gestures and customs are unique to Sweden?
Sweden has several distinctive gestures, from the friendly two-finger salute to careful toasting etiquette. Do: Make eye contact with each person when toasting before sipping Give a slight nod or bow with a handshake in formal settings Use the two-finger salute as a friendly greeting or thanks Swedes knock on wood, usually three times, to ward off bad luck after expressing a hope
What is family and social life like in Sweden?
About 80 percent of Swedes live in urban areas, and a generous welfare system supports families throughout life. Families receive government money to support each child under 16 and those in secondary school or university Every employed person receives at least five weeks of paid vacation each year The government provides benefits for unemployment, retirement, and medical care
What do Swedes do for recreation?
Singing in choirs is Sweden's most popular hobby, and Swedes love outdoor activities and sports year-round. Do: Try popular sports like soccer (fotboll), skiing, tennis, golf, swimming, and ice hockey Use town exercise trails for jogging, walking, or cross-country skiing Watch or join the 86-kilometer Vasaloppet cross-country ski race each March Tennis surged in popularity after Björn Borg won five straight Wimbledon titles The Vasaloppet commemorates Gustav Vasa's 1523 flight on skis
What is the capital of Sweden?
Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden, situated where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea across a cluster of fourteen islands. Founded in the 13th century, it serves as the country's political, cultural, and economic hub. Stockholm is also the site of the annual Nobel Prize award ceremonies, a tradition dating back to 1901 honoring the legacy of Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel, who founded the prizes.
Where is Sweden located?
Sweden is located in Northern Europe on the eastern portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It occupies a prominent position in the region known as Scandinavia, bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia to the east and south. The country experiences long, dark winters and brief but vibrant summers, a climate that has profoundly shaped Swedish culture, architecture, and daily life.
What countries border Sweden?
Sweden shares land borders with Norway to the west and north and Finland to the northeast. It is also connected to Denmark to the southwest via the Öresund Link, a 16-kilometre fixed rail and road bridge opened in July 2000 by Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, spanning the strait between Malmö and Copenhagen. The country's eastern coastline faces the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia.
What is the main religion practiced in Sweden?
Lutheranism, practiced through the Church of Sweden, is by far the dominant religion, with approximately 87 percent of the population identifying with the Lutheran tradition. The remaining 13 percent encompasses a range of other faiths and non-religious identities. Although Sweden is formally a Lutheran country by heritage, religious practice tends to be relatively low-key in daily life, and the nation is widely regarded as one of the more secular societies in Europe.
What currency is used in Sweden?
Sweden's official currency is the Swedish Krona, with the ISO code SEK. Although Sweden joined the European Union in 1995, the country opted not to adopt the euro when it was introduced in 1999, a decision reflecting a broader public ambivalence about full economic integration with Europe. The krona remains in use today, and Sweden continues to maintain its own independent monetary policy through the Riksbank, one of the world's oldest central banks.
What language is spoken in Sweden?
Swedish is the official language of Sweden and is spoken by the vast majority of the population. It belongs to the North Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family and is closely related to Norwegian and Danish. English is widely spoken as a second language, particularly among younger generations, in business settings, and in urban areas, making Sweden one of the highest-ranking non-native English-speaking countries in the world by proficiency.
What is Sweden known for?
Sweden is known for its Nobel Prizes, awarded annually in Stockholm across the fields of chemistry, literature, medicine, and physics, as well as for its comprehensive welfare state that provides universal healthcare, education, and retirement benefits. The country is a major exporter of design, music, and technology — global brands such as IKEA, Volvo, and Spotify have Swedish origins. Sweden is also celebrated for its outdoor culture: despite harsh winters, Swedes embrace skiing, ice skating, and other cold-weather activities, embodying the concept of friluftsliv, or open-air living.
What is the geography of Sweden like?
Sweden is one of the largest countries in Northern Europe, stretching roughly 1,500 kilometres from north to south along the Scandinavian Peninsula. The terrain varies considerably: the far north is dominated by subarctic highlands and boreal forest, the interior is characterized by thousands of lakes — including Vänern and Vättern, among Europe's largest — and the southern region of Skåne features fertile agricultural lowlands. Forests cover more than half the country's total land area, and Sweden's extensive coastline borders both the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.

Last reviewed 2026

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