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Sweden Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Sweden?

Overview

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. Along Sweden’s rocky coast, interspersed with bays and inlets, are many islands, the largest of which are Gotland and Öland.

Geography - note

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

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.

Sweden Use of Natural Resources

Sweden Environment

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.

Terrain:

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Natural Resources:

iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower

Natural Hazards:

ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

Irrigated Land:

617 Square Miles
1,597 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

Environment - International Agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Sweden Geography

Geographic Location Europe
Total Area 173,859 Square Miles
450,295 Square Kilometers
Land Area 158,430 Square Miles
410,335 Square Kilometers
Water Area 15,429 Square Miles
39,960 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries 1,388 Miles
2,233 Kilometers
Irrigated Land 617 Square Miles
1,597 Square Kilometers
Border Countries Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline 2,000 Miles
3,218 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates 62 00 N, 15 00 E
Terrain mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Highest Point 2,111 Meters
Highest Point Location Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Lowest Point -2 Meters
Lowest Point Location reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m
Natural Resources iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
Time Zone UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
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