The official name is the Kingdom of Sweden (Konungariket Sverige). Located in Northern Europe, in the eastern and southern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Area 450 thousand km2, population - 8.95 million people. (2003). The official language is Swedish. The capital is Stockholm (1.7 million people with suburbs, 2001). Public holiday - National Day June 6 (in 1916-83 - Swedish Flag Day). The reason for choosing this date is twofold: on June 6, 1523, Gustav Vasa was elected king, which is considered the founding date of the independent Swedish state, and on June 6, 1809, a new Constitution was adopted, establishing civil rights and freedoms. The monetary unit is Swedish krona.

Member of the UN (since 1946), EU (since 1995), OECD, IMF, IBRD, EBRD, Nordic Council, etc.

Sights of Sweden

Geography of Sweden

It is located between 11° and 24° east longitude and 55° and 69° north latitude. It is washed from the east by the Baltic Sea and its Gulf of Bothnia, and from the southwest by the Öresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak straits. The total length of the heavily indented coastline exceeds 7 thousand km. Along the entire coast there are thousands of islands forming large archipelagos. The coast is characterized by an abundance of skerries - clusters of small coastal islands and rocks. A particularly extensive skerry archipelago is located near Stockholm. The Skagerrak coast north of Gothenburg is also significantly rugged. In the Baltic Sea, Sweden owns two large islands - Gotland (3001 km2) and Öland (1344 km2). It borders with Norway in the west (1619 km), with Finland in the northeast (586 km).

Sweden is dominated by low plateaus and rolling plains. The relatively flat terrain is dotted with many lakes - there are more than 100,000 of them. 16% of the territory is covered with mountains. In the northwest there is a long mountain range - the Scandinavian Mountains, up to 2111 m high (Mount Kebnekaise). In Central Sweden there is the Central Swedish Lowland - the most populated and economically developed part of the country. Further south is the Småland hill. The far south of the country - the Skåne Peninsula - is a vast plain with fertile soils and is the main agricultural region.

The subsoil of Sweden is rich in metals and poor in mineral fuels. Swedish iron ore deposits are among the richest in the world both in terms of the concentration of ore reserves and the metal content in it. The main iron ore region, where St. 80% of all iron reserves in the country are located beyond the Arctic Circle, in Lapland. The largest deposit is Kirunavaara. Lapland ores are 2/3 made of metal, but contain a lot of phosphorus, so their industrial use became possible only in late 1940s. 19th century after the discovery of the Thomas smelting method. Another iron ore region, Bergslagen, known since the Middle Ages, is located in Central Sweden. There is less ore here, but it has an insignificant content of harmful impurities of phosphorus and sulfur and has long served as the basis for the development of Swedish high-quality metallurgy. Among the deposits of non-ferrous metals, the most significant are located on the Norrland Plateau. These are deposits of complex sulfide ores in the Buliden - Kristineberg area, containing copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver, sulfur pyrite, arsenic; deposits of lead (Laisvall) and copper (Aitik). Formerly one of the richest copper deposits in all of Europe, the area around the city of Falun in central Sweden has been severely depleted. There are very large reserves of uranium contained in bituminous shale deposits in Central Sweden.

Sweden, except for its extreme south, is almost entirely located in the zone of podzolic soils. In the south of the country, especially on the Skåne Peninsula, brown forest soils are the most fertile in the entire Scandinavian Peninsula.

Thanks to the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream and westerly winds, the climate in Sweden is milder than in other countries located at the same latitudes. Although Stockholm lies almost on the same parallel as South Greenland, the average temperature in July is approx. +18°C. In winter, the average temperature in the capital is only slightly below zero, and snowfall is moderate. In the south there is a mild, humid maritime climate with significant precipitation. The climate of the eastern regions of Central Sweden is more continental. In Northern Sweden, winters are harsh, snowy and long.

The country's topography and climate favor the development of a dense network of rivers and lakes. The rivers flow in narrow valleys and are replete with rapids and waterfalls. They are used mainly as energy sources. In terms of hydropower reserves, Sweden is second only to Norway in Western Europe. The most energy-rich rivers in Northern Sweden originate on the eastern slopes of the Scandinavian Mountains, cross the stepped Norrland Plateau and flow into the Gulf of Bothnia. These are primarily Luleelv, Umeelv, Ongermanelven, Indalselven, Dalelven. The longest rivers: Muonioelven - Turneelven (570 km), Dalälven (520 km), Klarälven - Geta Elv (520 km). Numerous lakes and extensions in river basins serve as natural reservoirs that regulate water flow throughout the year. Rivers and lakes occupy 9% of the country's total area. The largest of them lie in the lowlands of Central Sweden. Particularly striking is Lake Vänern, the largest in all of Western Europe, with an area of ​​5,585 km2. The short but deep river Geta-Älv flows out of the lake and flows into the Kattegat with the high Trollhättan waterfall. Other large lakes: Vättern (1912 km2), Mälaren (1140 km2) and Elmaren (484 km2).

The main type of vegetation is forests, covering more than 1/2 of the country's territory. In terms of forested area (54%), Sweden ranks 1st in Western Europe. Coniferous forests predominate, the main tracts of which are located in the north of the country. On the mountain slopes they are replaced by birch forests, and even higher by mountain tundra, occupying approx. 1/8 of the country. South of 60-61° north latitude, coniferous forests give way to mixed forests. Broad-leaved species appear - maple, ash, oak, linden. In the extreme south and southwest there are beech forests. Sweden ranks first in Western Europe in terms of timber reserves, with 90% of the total reserves accounting for coniferous species. A lot of money was spent on restoring deforested forests. The fauna of Sweden is dominated by forest dwellers: elk, roe deer, fox, pine marten, squirrel, hare. In the taiga forests of Norrland there are lynx, brown bear, and wolverine. Wild reindeer live in the polar regions of Lapland, and European deer live in forest parks in the south of the country. Lakes, skerries and sea bays abound with wild ducks and swans, which also nest in the vicinity of Stockholm. The coastal waters of the Baltic Sea are rich in fish: herring, eel, cod, shrimp, and lobster live in them. In the rivers and lakes you can find salmon, trout, pike, perch, pike perch, burbot, bream, and in the north - grayling.

Population of Sweden

The growth rate is generally low - 0.02% (2002). Since the 1940s. immigration - first from neighboring northern countries and then from other regions of the world - accounted for more than 40% of population growth. In 2002, net immigration was 0.95‰.

The birth rate in the country is low - 9.81‰ (2002). It increased in the 1980s and 90s, but then decreased again. Mortality 10.6‰, infant mortality 3.44 people. per 1000 newborns. Life expectancy is 77 years for men and 83 years for women.

Age structure of the population: aged 0-14 years - 18%, 15-64 years - 65%, 65 years and older - 17%. There are about 100 thousand more women than men, especially in old age. 85% of the population lives in the southern half of Sweden. Urban population more than 80%. The retirement age is 65 years. Literacy is almost complete.

Before World War II, Sweden was a country with an ethnically homogeneous population. Only the Sami (Lapps), living in the north and traditionally engaged in reindeer herding, were a significant ethnic minority. Now the Swedes make up approx. 87% of the population. Approximately 1 million residents are either immigrants or their descendants. These are Finns, people from the former Yugoslavia, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks.

Swedish belongs to the northern subgroup of the Germanic group of languages. The linguistic minorities are Sami and Finns.

The dominant religion is Lutheran (87%). In the 16th century Sweden broke with the Catholic Church, and after that the Evangelical State Church operated in the country. The first Bible in Swedish was published in 1541. On January 1, 2000, the Swedish Church gained an independent position and was equal to other denominations. Among the believing population there are also Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Muslims, Jews, and Buddhists.

History of Sweden

The first man appeared in Sweden approximately 12 thousand years ago. However, only from the 9th century. They started talking about the Scandinavians in Europe, where the Vikings began to penetrate by sea, engaging in robbery and trade. The Swedish Vikings managed to reach the Black and Caspian Seas along Russian rivers (the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks”) and trade with Byzantium and the Arabs. In the 11th and 12th centuries. Sweden begins to act as a single state. Christianity became the dominant religion, and in 1164 an archbishopric was established in Uppsala. The process of centralization of the state under royal power continued for two centuries (from the mid-12th century). In 1397, the Danish Queen Margareta united Denmark, Norway and Sweden into the so-called. Kalmar Union under the Danish crown.

Constant discord both within the states united by the union and between them gradually led to open conflict between the Swedes and the Danes. The final collapse of the union in the beginning. 16th century led to a series of fierce wars between Denmark and Norway, on the one hand, and Sweden and Finland, which in the 12th and 13th centuries. was conquered by the Swedes, on the other. The culmination was the so-called. Stockholm bloodbath in 1520, when more than 100 famous representatives of various classes in Sweden were executed upon the accession of the Danish king Christian II. This event led to an uprising, as a result of which the Danish king was deposed and the Swedish nobleman Gustav Vasa, elected king of Sweden in 1523, was elevated to the throne.

Gustav Vasa, advocating Swedish sovereignty, decisively stopped attempts to revive the Kalmar Union and carried out a number of important reforms that played a big role in the life of the country. During the reign of Gustav Vasa (1523-60), the foundations of the Swedish nation-state were laid. He breaks with Catholicism and carries out the Reformation. The king was declared the head of the Swedish church. In 1544 he introduced a hereditary monarchy (previously it was an elective one). Attempts by the high nobility to restore their power during the reigns of Eric XIV (1560-68), Johan III (1568-92) and Sigismund (1592-99) failed. During the reigns of Charles IX (1599-1611) and Gustav II Adolf (1611-32), the monarchy strengthened its position. After the death of Gustav II Adolf in the Battle of Lützen, the highest nobility managed to introduce a new Constitution - the Form of Government of 1634, according to which a number of central administrative bodies were created and part of the power passed into their hands. However, this Constitution was applied under Christina (1632-54), Charles X Gustav (1654-60) and lost its validity in 1680 under Charles XI (1660-97). After this, the nobility turned into a bureaucratic class, submissive to the will of the king in everything.

After the rupture of the Kalmar Union, Swedish foreign policy was aimed at dominance in the Baltic, which led from the 1560s. to frequent wars with Denmark. After Sweden entered the Thirty Years' War in 1630 on the side of German Protestants, Sweden under Gustav II Adolf became one of the leading European monarchies and defeated Denmark twice: in 1643-45 and 1657-58. These victories allowed Sweden to conquer the former Danish provinces of Skåne, Halland, Blekinge and Gotland and the Norwegian provinces of Bohuslän, Jämtland and Härjedalen. Finland, a number of provinces in Northern Germany (Pomerania, Bremen), Estonia, Latvia, Ingermanland (at the mouth of the Neva) also belonged to Sweden. After the Westphalian 1648 and Roskilde 1658 peace treaties with Denmark, Sweden became a great power in Northern Europe. Sweden even briefly founded a colony in North America (where the state of Delaware is now located).

However, Sweden remained a purely agricultural country with a subsistence economy (apart from small metallurgical plants and copper ore mining in Falun) and did not have the resources to maintain its position as a great power for long. In 1700, Russia, Saxony in alliance with Poland, as well as Denmark and Norway together opposed the strengthening of the Swedish Empire. Although the young Swedish king Charles XII (1697-1718) won victories in the first period of the Great Northern War (1700-21), his extensive plan to force Russia to capitulate by besieging Moscow was beyond his power. The defeat in the Battle of Poltava in 1709, and then the death of Charles XII during the siege of the Norwegian fortress in 1718 and the conclusion of the Nystadt Peace Treaty with opponents, who were later joined by England, Hanover and Prussia, put an end to the Swedish great power. Sweden lost most of the provinces on the opposite side of the Baltic, and its territory was reduced to approximately modern Sweden and Finland.

The Russian-Swedish War of 1808-09 led to the loss of Finland in 1809. Sweden also lost its last possessions in Northern Germany during the Napoleonic Wars. Sweden's compensation for its participation in the anti-Napoleonic coalition was the receipt of Norway, which passed in 1814 by decision of the Congress of Vienna from Denmark to Sweden. The union, which annexed Norway to Sweden, lasted until 1905 and was dissolved at the initiative of Norway as a result of peace negotiations.

After a short war with Norway in 1814, when the union was created, Sweden no longer participated in wars and, since World War I, has pursued a foreign policy of freedom from alliances in peacetime and neutrality in time of war. After the death of Charles XII and the defeat of Sweden in the Great Northern War, the Swedish parliament - the Riksdag, has been continuously operating since the 15th century. and originating from the elections of tribal elders and leaders among the Vikings, introduced a new Constitution that abolished royal absolutism and transferred power into the hands of the Riksdag. During the so-called period freedom era (1719-72) in Sweden there was a government formed by the dominant party in the Riksdag and responsible to the Riksdag. However, Gustav III (1771-92) limited the power of the Riksdag in a bloodless coup in 1772 and later, in 1789, restored absolutism. After the overthrow of Gustav IV Adolf (1792-1809) as a result of a coup in 1809, the political development of Sweden proceeded more calmly and peacefully.

In 1809, a new Constitution was introduced, based on the division of powers. Soon Napoleonic Marshal Jean Baptiste Bernadotte was elected heir to the Swedish throne, and in 1818 he became King Charles XIV Johan (1818-44). His policies were conservative, but at the same time an influential liberal opposition emerged. During the reigns of his son Oscar I (1844-59) and grandson Charles XV (1859-72) many important events took place, including the introduction of compulsory education in 1842, the abolition of the guild system in 1846, the transition to free trade, the introduction of local government in 1862 and finally, the implementation of parliamentary reform in 1866. The last reform replaced the one that had existed since the 15th century. four-class Riksdag into a bicameral one.

In the end 19th century Broad popular movements arose: free churches, temperance, women and, most importantly, labor. The latter arose with the industrialization of the country and was reformist in nature. The first representatives of social democracy entered the government back in 1917. Universal suffrage was introduced in 1909 for men and in 1921 for women. In 1932, the Social Democrats became the ruling party, put forward plans for building a welfare society and implemented them after World War II.

Government and political system of Sweden

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The Constitution, which entered into force on January 1, 1975. The administrative division is 21 Leng: Blacking, Vermland, Vesterbotten, Vesternorland, Westmanland, Vestra Gotaland, Gotland, Dalarna, Joleborg, Emtland, Yoncheping, Kalmar, Krunubert, Norrbotten, Sudermanland, Skone, Stockhol m , Uppsala, Halland, Örebro, Österjetland.

The largest cities (thousands of people): Stockholm (1700 with suburbs), Gothenburg (800), Malmö (500). The Swedish Constitution consists of 4 separate documents: the Form of Government Act, passed in 1974, the Succession Act, in force since 1810, the Freedom of the Press Act 1949 (dating back to 1766) and the Freedom of Expression Act, which came into force in 1991. In addition Moreover, the Riksdag Act 1974 occupies an intermediate position between the Basic Law and ordinary statutory law.

The highest legislative body is the Riksdag.

The highest executive body is the government.

The head of state, King Carl XVI Gustaf (since September 19, 1973), is vested with purely representative or ceremonial functions and is a symbol of the Swedish state and nation.

Since 1971, the Riksdag of Sweden has been unicameral, consisting of 349 deputies elected by universal, direct and secret ballot once every 4 years. Residents of the country enjoy the right to vote from the age of 18. Seats in the Riksdag are distributed on a proportional basis among parties that received at least 4% of the votes in the elections. For most of the period since 1932, the Social Democratic Labor Party was in power in Sweden. Only in 1976-82 and 1991-94 the country was ruled by bourgeois governments. According to the results of the last elections, held on September 15, 2002, the Social Democratic Workers' Party of Sweden is represented in the Riksdag - 144 seats, 39.8% of the total votes; Moderate coalition party - 55 and 15.2%, respectively; People's Party - Liberals - 48 and 13.3%, Christian Democrats - 33 and 9.1%; Left Party - 30 and 8.3%; Center Party - 22 and 6.1%; Environmental Party - Greens - 17 and 4.6%. The prime minister is no longer appointed by the king, but by the chairman of the Riksdag.

The most famous Swedish politician in the world was Olof Palme (1927-86). In 1969-76 and 1982-86 he was the country's prime minister, and from 1969 until the day of his death he headed the Social Democratic Labor Party. He was killed on February 28, 1986 in the center of Stockholm. Palme's murder remains unsolved.

Dag Hammarskjöld (1905-61) was UN Secretary-General from 1953 until the day of his death. While performing his duties, he died in a plane crash over Zambian territory. He sought to ensure that the UN played the most active role in resolving international crises. The Swedish administrative system is characterized by a division of tasks between ministries and central administrative bodies. The central government consists of 13 small ministries (their staff does not exceed 100 people), mainly engaged in preparing bills for the government. The Council of Ministers meets once a week to approve decisions and bears collective responsibility for all decisions made. Enforcement of laws is entrusted to 100 relatively independent central institutions and the government of the villages.

Until 1971, Sweden was divided into 850 communes, each of which had its own elected assembly of representatives. The number of communes has now been reduced to 288. The rights and responsibilities of communes include the construction of various structures and the provision of a wide range of services: housing and road construction, sewerage and water supply, primary and secondary education, social assistance, care for the elderly, child care, etc. . Communes have the right to levy income taxes.

Between the state and municipal levels there is a regional level of government. At this level the country is divided into villages. State power is represented in each lan by the governor and the board of the lan. Line governors are appointed by the government for a period of 6 years and head the board of the line. Members of the county board are appointed by the county council, which is elected and responsible for health care and some types of education. The Landstings levy income tax.

Political parties are well organized in and outside the Riksdag. The Social Democratic Workers' Party of Sweden was founded in 1889, is the ruling party, the largest in the country, is closely connected with the workers' trade union movement, and represents the ideas of the Swedish model of democratic socialism. The conservative Moderate coalition party was founded in 1904 (until 1969 - the Right Party), expresses the interests of large companies and senior officials. The Center Party was founded in 1910 (until 1957 - the Peasant Union), expresses the interests of medium and small landowners, as well as parts of the middle and petty urban bourgeoisie. The People's Party - liberals - was founded in 1895 (until 1990 - the People's Party), representing the interests of the large, middle and part of the petty bourgeoisie, officials. The Left Party was founded in 1917 on the basis of the left wing of the Social Democratic Party (until 1921 - the Social Democratic Left Party, in 1921 it was renamed the Communist Party, in 1967 - the Left Party - Communists, since 1990 it has had its current name). The Green Party, founded in 1981, expresses the ideas of environmental protection. The clerical bourgeois party Christian Democrats was founded in 1964 (until 1987 - the Christian Democratic Union). Since 1966 the state has subsidized political parties that have a seat in the Riksdag.

The largest organization representing the business community is the Swedish Business Association, created in 1902.

The trade union movement plays an important role in the life of Sweden, which unites approx. 80% of the country's total economically active population. However, there is no single trade union center in the country. The Swedish Central Trade Union Association is the largest in the country, founded in 1898, uniting approx. 1.2 million people employed in leading industries, utilities and services. The Central Association of Employees' Trade Unions was formed in 1944 and unites employees of the private and public sectors. The central organization of persons with higher education was created in 1947, uniting teachers, engineers, doctors, etc.

During both world wars, Sweden maintained neutrality. Thanks to this, as well as due to other circumstances, she managed to stay away from hostilities. After World War 2, Sweden continued its traditional policy of freedom from alliances in peacetime and neutrality in time of war, and based its security on a strong national defense system. Therefore, in political terms, Sweden's involvement in European affairs did not go beyond participation in the Council of Europe.

In the 1960s - 70s. Sweden's foreign policy focused on aid to developing countries and global environmental issues, as well as support for UN disarmament efforts and confidence-building measures in Europe. One of the fundamental elements of Swedish foreign policy remains support for the UN and its Charter. Sweden allocates approx. 1% of its GDP to help developing countries.

In the 1980s The central element of Swedish foreign policy has become the doctrine of universal security, aimed at reducing armaments in Europe and supporting the idea of ​​general and complete disarmament throughout the world.

For a long time, Sweden's policy of neutrality prevented it from seeking EU membership. Sweden was content with membership in the less rigidly organized EFTA. However, changes in Europe and the end of the Cold War made it possible to reconsider this position. In July 1991, Sweden submitted an application for admission to the EU, in November 1994 the Swedish people approved joining the EU in a referendum, and in January 1995 Sweden became a full member of the EU.

Sweden has announced that it shares the EU's long-term goals and supports its measures to create an economic and political union. Within the EU, Sweden focuses on the EU enlargement process, increasing employment, greater transparency in decision-making, gender equality and stronger environmental policies.

Sweden's policy of non-participation in military alliances remains unchanged. This policy helps maintain stability in Northern Europe. Sweden also makes a significant contribution to strengthening security throughout Europe through active participation in the OSCE and the Council of Europe. Sweden is an observer in the WEU. Traditional northern cooperation is also developing within the framework of the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Sweden has traditionally pursued a free trade policy and is a supporter of an open multilateral trading system based on the principles of GATT and implemented within the WTO.

The main function of Swedish defense policy is to maintain peace while maintaining such a degree of readiness and military strength that the losses and casualties of a possible aggressor as a result of an attempt to seize the country significantly exceed possible gains. The Swedish Armed Forces include the Ground Forces, Navy, and Air Force. Every year, recruits at the age of 18 are called up for basic training for a period of 5 to 15 months. They are then called up for retraining every 4 years. In case of war, the Armed Forces can mobilize up to 850 thousand people. In peacetime, Army regiments exist only for training. Sweden does not have a standing army, and its airspace and territorial waters are under the constant control of the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. Military spending accounts for 2.1% of GDP. The armed forces, based on universal conscription of men aged 18 to 47, are being reduced. The decision of the Riksdag taken in 2000 meant a reduction in the number of military units and a simultaneous increase in their combat readiness and mobility. Great importance is attached to military aviation. Swedish units are in constant readiness to participate in international conflict resolution activities. More than 60 thousand Swedish military personnel served in UN units in various parts of the world. Sweden is actively involved in NATO's Partnership for Peace program and peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia.

Sweden has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1924).

Economy of Sweden

In 100 years, Sweden has gone from being a backward and one of the poorest countries in Europe, as it was in the middle. 19th century, where 70% of the population was employed in agriculture, turned into one of the most developed industrial countries in the world with a high standard of living of the population. The transformation of the economy from a backward to an advanced industrial one was facilitated by the presence of rich natural resources - iron ore, timber, hydropower, as well as talented engineers and skilled workers. In the 1870s Swedish iron ore and timber were essential to Europe's industrial development. The expansion of Swedish exports contributed to the industrialization of the country and the growth of the urban population. Based on Swedish inventions, new companies in metallurgy and mechanical engineering were created and quickly grew. In conditions of rapid population growth, emigration was important, primarily to North America (1.2 million Swedes left the country in 1860-1930), which made it possible to avoid hunger and mass unemployment.

Sweden avoided participation in both world wars, which allowed it not only to preserve its production potential and labor resources, but also to significantly enrich itself by supplying warring countries and during the restoration of the European economy.

The Swedish economy continued to develop rapidly for several decades after World War II. These were her “golden” years. A welfare state was built. However, in the 2nd half. 1970s and early 1990s Sweden has experienced serious economic crises. The volume of GDP decreased, the volume of public debt increased, and in the 1990s. The Swedish krona depreciated. The economy and public finances were subjected to severe reorganization. To the beginning 21st century The state budget became balanced, the inflation rate decreased and economic growth accelerated (in 1997-2000 it averaged 4%). High-tech enterprises were actively developing.

In 2002, GNP increased by 1.6% and amounted to 2340 billion crowns, and per capita - 262.2 thousand crowns. Inflation - 2.4%, gross capital investment - 400 billion crowns (2002).

In Sweden, 50% of the population works. This figure is high because more than 75% of women aged 16-64 are working. Until the beginning 1990s unemployment was low. However, then it grew significantly. In 2002, the economically active population was 4.4 million people, unemployment was 4%.

Sectoral structure of the economy: agriculture - 2%, industry - 29, service sector - 69 (by contribution to GDP), agriculture - 2, industry - 24, service sector - 74% (by employment).

Swedish industrial production is often based on local raw materials: timber and iron ore. Mechanical engineering enterprises, including the automotive industry, account for 40% of total production, the woodworking and pulp and paper industries account for a little more than 20%, and the share of the chemical industry is approx. 12%. In the 1990s. The most dynamically developing industries were pharmaceuticals, telecommunications equipment and automobiles. Information technology plays an increasingly important role in the economy. Sweden is one of the leading countries in this field.

Sweden's per capita energy consumption is among the highest in the world as a result of its cold climate, concentration of energy-intensive industry and high standard of living. Cheap hydropower was an important factor in the country's industrial development. OK. 15% of the energy is provided by power plants built mainly on the rivers of Northern Sweden. About 40% of the energy consumed in the country is provided by oil imports, 7% by imports of coal and coke. In 2000, electricity production amounted to 144.6 billion kWh. Hydroelectric power plants produce 54% of electricity, nuclear power plants - 37%.

Agriculture plays a rather limited role in economic life. Only 8% of Sweden's territory is used in agricultural production. At the same time, agriculture is highly productive. Sweden satisfies St. 80% of food needs come from our own production, incl. almost entirely in milk, meat, bread, potatoes.

Agriculture is dominated by feed grain crops (barley, wheat, oats and rye), potatoes, sugar beets and rapeseed. Most of the crops are devoted to barley, oats and winter wheat. Under the sown grasses there is approx. 1/3 of cultivated land. Agriculture is characterized by its close connection with forestry. OK. 75% of all farmers combine both types of activities.

The leading branch of agriculture is animal husbandry for meat and dairy production, which accounts for approx. 80% of income. The role of meat in commercial products is constantly increasing. Among other branches of livestock farming, bacon and meat pig farming are the most developed. Pork accounts for more than 1/2 of the country's total meat production.

Sweden is dominated by small family farms and approx. 80% of farmers farm on their own land. Farmers receive their main income from the sale of dairy products and meat. OK. 40% of cultivated land is leased.

Fishing in Sweden flourished in the 1950s and 1st half. 1960s mainly due to large stocks of herring in the North Sea. Depletion of fish stocks has led to a reduction in catches. Now more than 1/2 of the catch is herring and cod.

The total length of railways is 12,821 thousand km (of which almost 8 thousand km are electrified), highways - 211 thousand km, gas pipelines - 88 km. Merchant fleet - 174 vessels with a total displacement of 2.6 million tons. Main ports: Gothenburg, Stockholm, Malmo. 90% of Sweden's foreign trade travels by sea. On July 1, 2000, the Øresund Bridge was opened, connecting Malmö and Copenhagen. The country has 255 airports, 6 million telephones and approximately 4 million mobile phones, 169 television stations, 4.6 million televisions, 6.02 million Internet users (2002).

Over the past decades, Swedish trade has undergone significant changes to better accommodate consumers and their habits. The total number of stores decreased noticeably (from 9.2 thousand in 1980 to 6.8 thousand in 1998). Over the same period, sales volume increased almost 3 times. Now more than 1/2 of the stores selling ready-made goods are open on Sundays. The self-service system has become widespread. Self-service country stores (hypermarkets) have appeared, offering goods at low prices. Department stores, among which supermarkets stand out, have a full range of food and prepared goods. There are large "chain" stores in certain areas. Most wholesale trade is carried out by independent businesses. Cooperatives play an important role in trade.

Tight fiscal policy is aimed at stabilizing the positive balance of the state budget by approving spending ceilings and drawing up a budget for 3 years in advance. The most important issue in Sweden's economic policy remains participation in the EMU, which it abstained from joining in 1999 and following a referendum in 2003.

In recent years, Sweden's central bank, Sveries Riksbank, has set an annual inflation target of 2% and follows the European Central Bank in interest rates. Since 1992, the Swedish krona switched to a floating rate, which over the next decade decreased significantly.

In 2002, government revenues amounted to 56.9% of GNP, expenses - 55.5%, state budget balance - 1.4%, public debt - 52.4% of GNP, or 1235 billion crowns (2003). Government consumption amounted to CZK 656 billion (2002).

Duration of the working week - 40 hours. Paid vacation - 5 weeks. Since the tax reform of 1991, most employees pay only 100 kroner in state income tax (the maximum rate reaches 25%), and municipal income tax rates are approximately 31%. Corporate income tax 28%. Value added tax ranges from 6 to 25%. Employers contribute 33% and employees pay 6% to cover social costs. In addition, enterprises pay approx. 7% for pensions according to collective agreements.

The standard of living of the population in Sweden is considered one of the highest in the world. Women's wages relative to men in Sweden are the highest in the world. The hourly wage of a worker in the private sector is CZK 112.7, the monthly wage of an employee in the private sector is CZK 26,180 (2003). In terms of income equalization, Sweden is ahead of other countries in the world. The richest 10% of households accounted for 20% of income, the poorest 10% accounted for 4%. Personal consumption amounted to 1139 billion crowns (2002).

Sweden's economy is closely linked to the outside world and is heavily dependent on foreign trade. OK. 50% of manufactured industrial products are exported. Exports, which amounted to CZK 1,012 billion in 2002, are dominated by machinery and equipment (35%), vehicles, paper, pulp, timber, ferrous metals, and chemicals. 55% of exports were sent to EU countries (Germany - 11%, Great Britain - 9%, Denmark - 6%, Finland - 6%), to the USA - 11%, to Norway - 9% (2001). Imports, which amounted to CZK 871 billion, were dominated by machinery and equipment, oil and petroleum products, chemical products, vehicles, ferrous metals, food products, and clothing (2002). In 2001, 66% of imports came from EU countries (Germany - 18%, Great Britain - 9%, Denmark - 8%, the Netherlands - 7%, France - 7%), from Norway - 9%, from the USA - 7%.

In 2002, the positive balance of payments was 4.2% of GDP.

Science and culture of Sweden

Nine years of education is compulsory. Children go to school at the age of 6 or 7 years. Most children attend communal schools, where education is free. Almost all students (98%) then continue their education at a gymnasium (3 years) according to one of the theoretical or practical training programs. A little more than 1/3 of gymnasium graduates enter institutes or universities. Sweden's total R&D expenditure is 3.8% of GDP, the highest among OECD countries.

In Sweden approx. There are 40 higher educational institutions, mostly state-owned, and education in them is free. More than 100 thousand students, a large number of them are over 25 years old. They already have work experience, which makes it easier for them to enter a university. OK. 1/4 of the adult population have higher education.

Among the 6 universities, the oldest is the University in Uppsala (founded in 1477), a little later, in 1668, the University of Lund was opened. In the 19th century Universities opened in Stockholm and Gothenburg. The youngest universities are in Umeå and Linköping. There are polytechnic institutes in Stockholm and Gothenburg. The Karolinska Medical-Surgical Institute and the Graduate School of Commerce in Stockholm have gained worldwide fame.

A wide network of municipal schools for adults makes it possible for adults with insufficient education to receive the same level of education as ordinary schoolchildren. More than 2.5 million people. annually study in various courses and clubs formed by private educational organizations, but subsidized by the state.

The Swedish people have made a significant contribution to the development of world science and culture. The natural scientist Carl Linnaeus (1707-78), who founded the Royal Academy of Sciences in 1739, had a huge influence on the development of science in Sweden. He laid the foundations for the taxonomy of flora and fauna. His contemporary astronomer and physicist Anders Celsius (1701-44) created the oldest astronomical observatory in Sweden and introduced the centigrade scale for thermometers. A major contribution to the development of chemistry was made by Jöns Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848), who developed electrochemical and atomic theories and created scientific mineralogy, and Svante Arrhenius (1859-1927), who created the theory of electrolytic dissociation and received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1903. Alfred Nobel (1833-96) invented dynamite, which brought him fame and fortune. Nobel donated the bulk of his fortune to the foundation from which the Nobel Prizes are awarded annually. The awards are presented in Stockholm and Oslo on December 10, the day of the scientist’s death.

In the history of technology, the names of Jon Eriksson (1803-89), designer of the first ship propellers, steamships and steam locomotives, and engineer Carl Gustav Laval (1845-1913), who invented the steam turbine and separator, are known.

In the history of Swedish art, a special place belongs to the work of the poet, composer and singer of the 18th century. Karl Michael Bellmann (1740-95). The poet's birthday is celebrated every summer with folk festivals in Haga and Skansen parks. The name of the romantic poet of the 1st half is widely known in literature. 19th century Esaias Tegner (1782-1846). The masterpiece of his work is the poem “The Saga of Frithjof,” written on the plot of an ancient Scandinavian saga. August Strindberg (1849-1912) - a colossus of Swedish literature. His extensive creative heritage covers a wide variety of art genres. Outside Sweden he is best known as a writer of dramatic works. Romantic and folklore motifs fill the works of Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940), who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909. Her most famous novel is The Saga of Yeste Berling. The book “Nils's Amazing Journey with the Wild Geese”, written for children, gained worldwide fame. This book is a hymn to nature and the people of Sweden. During his lifetime, Wilhelm Muberg (1898-1973) was called a classic of Swedish literature, whose fame was brought by his epic novels about Swedish emigration to America. Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) was one of the most famous Swedes in the world. Her books for children have been translated into more than 60 languages, and 40 films have been made from them. Carlson, who lives on the roof, and Pippi Longstocking have earned the love of children all over the world.

In the fine arts of Sweden, the painting of Anders Zorn (1860-1920) stands out, whose paintings reproduce scenes of rural life and the nature of the province of Dalarna. The most famous sculptor is Karl Milles (1875-1955). The museum park, located in the Stockholm suburb of Lidingö, where he lived, worked and was buried, contains dozens of his sculptural ensembles. Among them, “Man and Pegasus” and “Hand of the Creator”, directed into the sky, stand out. He created a gallery of outstanding Swedish statesmen.

Sweden has made a significant contribution to world cinema. Ingmar Bergman (born 1918) is a theater and film director. During 1946-82 he created 40 films. The film “A Summer Night Smile” brought him worldwide fame. The last film was Fanny and Alexander. Bergman continues to work in the theater. “The Divine” Greta Garbo (1905-90) made her Hollywood debut in 1926. Her beauty and voice made her one of the most popular and attractive actresses in the world. Ingrid Bergman (1915-82) came to Hollywood in the early years. 1940s Her most famous film is Casablanca. She received three Oscars for her roles.

Jussi Björling (1911-60) was one of the world's leading tenors. He made his debut at the Stockholm Opera when he was not yet 20 years old. ABBA in the 1970s marked the beginning of an era of international recognition for Swedish pop music, which became an important export of the country. When ABBA ceased to exist in 1982, the number of records they sold reached 250 million copies.

Björn Borg (born 1956) received the title of the most popular Swedish athlete of the 20th century; he entered the history of tennis by winning the Wimbledon tournament 5 times in a row. Among other athletes, one can highlight alpine skier Ingemar Stenmark. Swedish national teams achieved great success in ice and bandy hockey, tennis and table tennis, football and other sports.

Brief information

Wealthy Swedes are now traveling all over the world. They reached Thailand, Vietnam and New Zealand. Meanwhile, every year more and more tourists come to Sweden itself than before. Sweden has a long history, in which the Vikings and King Charles XII left a big mark. In this country you can walk along amazing medieval streets, take a sea cruise along the coastal waters, go fishing in Swedish rivers and lakes rich in fish, and, of course, ski at local high-class ski resorts.

Geography of Sweden

Sweden is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula, in northern Europe. Sweden borders Finland in the northeast and Norway in the west. The south and east of the country is washed by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. The straits Öresund, Skagerrak and Kattegat separate Sweden from neighboring Denmark. The total territory of Sweden, including the islands, is 229,964 square kilometers, and the total length of the border is 2,333 km.

About 65% of Sweden's territory is covered by forests. In northern Sweden, where there are a lot of low mountains, there are taiga forests. In the west of the country there are the Scandinavian Mountains, which stretch across the entire peninsula for 1,700 kilometers. The highest peak in Sweden is Mount Kebnekaise (2,111 m).

There are many rivers in Sweden, the longest of which are Kalix Älv, Thurne Älv, Ume Älv and Skellefte Älv. A significant part of the Swedish territory is occupied by lakes (Vänern, Vättern, Elmaren, Mälaren).

Capital

The capital of Sweden is Stockholm, which is now home to more than 900 thousand people. In the early Middle Ages, there was a small fishing village on the site of modern Stockholm.

Official language

The official language in Sweden is Swedish, which belongs to the Scandinavian group of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.

Religion

More than 71% of Swedes are Lutherans (Protestants), belonging to the Church of Sweden. However, only about 2% of Swedes go to church every week.

Swedish government

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy in which the head of state, according to the Constitution, is the King.

Executive power in Sweden belongs to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. Legislative power belongs to the unicameral parliament - the Riksdag (349 deputies).

The main political parties in Sweden are the Liberal People's Party, the Center Party, the Christian Democrats, the Swedish Democrats, and the Social Democrats.

Climate and weather

Sweden is located in northern latitudes, but this Scandinavian country has a temperate climate with three distinct climatic zones:

Oceanic climate in the south;
- Humid continental climate in the central part of the country;
- Subarctic climate in the north.

Sweden's moderate climate is due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. In the southern and central regions of Sweden, the average air temperature ranges from +20C to +25C in summer and from -2C to +2C in winter.

Air temperatures in the northern part of the country are colder. Already in September in northern Sweden the air temperature drops below 0C.

Average air temperature in Stockholm:

January - -3C
- February - -3C
- March – 0С
- April - +5C
- May - +11C
- June - +16C
- July - +18C
- August - +17C
- September - +112С
- October - +8C
- November - +3C
- December - -1C

Sea in Sweden

In the east, Sweden is washed by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. Sweden's total coastline is 3,218 km.

Average sea temperature in Stockholm:

January – +3C
- February - +2C
- March - +2C
- April - +3C
- May - +6C
- June - +11C
- July - +16C
- August – +17C
- September - +14C
- October - +10C
- November - +7C
- December - +5C

Rivers and lakes

Sweden has a lot of rivers, the longest of which are Kalix-Älv (450 km), Skellefte-Älv (410 km) and Thurne-Älv (565 km) in the north, and Ume-Älv (460 km) in the central part of the country.

A significant part of the Swedish territory is occupied by lakes (Vänern, Vättern, Elmaren, Mälaren).

Many tourists come to Sweden to go fishing. Salmon, trout, salmon, pike, brown trout, perch and grayling abound in Swedish rivers and lakes. But, of course, in Sweden they also fish in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea.

Story

The Swedes were first mentioned as a nation in 98 AD. ancient Roman historian Tacitus. By the 7th century, Viking military squads were formed in Sweden and set off to conquer new lands with the hope of getting rich. The expansion of the Swedish Vikings was directed to the territory of modern Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and further to Constantinople and Baghdad.

Historians cannot yet say exactly when the Kingdom of Sweden was formed and who became its first king.

Christianity appeared in Sweden in 829, but paganism had a strong position among the Swedes until the 12th century.

In the years 1100-1400, Sweden was characterized by an internal struggle for power with numerous wars. In 1335, the Swedish king Magnus Erikson abolished slavery in the country.

The “father” of the modern Swedish nation is considered to be King Gustav I of Sweden, who in the first half of the 16th century violated the monopoly of the Hanseatic League on trade in the Baltic Sea. From this time on, the “golden age” of Sweden began. We can rightfully say that already in the 17th century Sweden became an influential European state.

During its "golden age", Sweden conquers several German principalities and invades Poland, and then Russia and Ukraine. In the end, the Swedish Emperor Charles XII is defeated by the Russian troops of Peter I near Poltava. This meant the beginning of the end of the Swedish empire. According to the Peace of Nystad in 1721, Sweden gave up most of the conquered territories.

In 1809, Russia managed to conquer Finland, which was then considered eastern Sweden.

During the two world wars of the 20th century, Sweden remained neutral. In general, the last time Swedish soldiers took part in the war was in 1814. True, Sweden is now sending peacekeepers to the “hot spots” of the world.

In 1946, Sweden was admitted to the UN, and in 1995 the country joined the EU.

Swedish culture

Sweden dominated the Scandinavian Peninsula for a long time in the Middle Ages. This means that Swedish culture had a noticeable influence on the traditions and customs of neighboring countries. However, the Swedes also borrowed a lot from the cultures of Finland, Denmark and Norway.

For foreigners, Swedish traditions may seem mysterious and somewhat strange.

Many Swedish traditions are religious in nature (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost), while others are associated with the seasons (Walpurgis Night, Advent and Lucia).

Nowadays, Sweden also celebrates Waffle Day and Cinnamon Bun Day every year.

Swedish cuisine

The main products of Swedish cuisine are fish (especially herring), seafood, meat, potatoes, and cheese. A large place in Swedish cuisine is given to mushrooms, game and berries, but this is not surprising, given that forests occupy a large area in this country. The Swedes' favorite traditional dish is meatballs, served with boiled potatoes and sauce. In northern Sweden, a popular fish dish is urströmming.

The traditional alcoholic drink in Sweden (as well as in other Scandinavian countries) is Aquavit, which is usually 40% ABV.

Sights of Sweden

Over many centuries, Sweden has accumulated a large number of attractions. Therefore, we advise tourists in Sweden to definitely see:

1. Ales Stones
2. Uppsala Cathedral
3. Drottningholm Palace
4. Carlsten Fortress
5. Uppsala Castle
6. Royal Palace in Stockholm
7. Kingdom of Crystal
8. Vasa Museum in Stockholm
9. Hallands Kulturhistoriska Museum in Gothenburg
10. Kalmar Castle

Cities and resorts

The largest Swedish cities are Gothenburg, Uppsala, Malmo, and, of course, Stockholm.

Sweden has many excellent ski resorts. Skiing season is from December to April.

The top ten best Swedish ski resorts, in our opinion, include the following:

1. Sälen
2. Vemdalen
3. Branäs
4. Tarnaby-Hemavan
5. Idre Fjäll
6. Funäsdalsfjällen
7. Tarnaby
8. Abisko National Park
9. Riksgransen

Souvenirs/shopping

Tourists from Sweden usually bring reindeer skins, salted licorice, cheese, handicrafts, ceramics, chocolate and candy, silver and gold jewelry, linen, tablecloths, etc.

Office hours

Most of the Scandinavian Peninsula, or rather its entire south and east, is occupied by a country covered with beautiful forests with more than a thousand years of history - Sweden. Its territory is officially divided into 21 administrative districts, and the largest cities after the capital Stockholm are Gothenburg, Malmö and Uppsala. In addition to Swedish, most of the population speaks English, and in the very north of the country the minority languages ​​of Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli (a dialect of Finnish) are relatively widespread. Native Swedes dominate the population structure (about 90%), however, in the last decade, the increased flow of economic and political immigrants from Iraq, Iran, Serbia, Somalia, Chile and other countries with low living standards has led to certain changes in the ethnic balance, such as the creation of national diaspora and Muslim communities.

Capital	Stockholm
Population
Population density	22 people/km 2
	Swedish
Religion	There is no state religion, Christianity is widespread
Form of government	constitutional monarchy
	Swedish krona
Time zone	UTC+1 UTC+2 (summer)
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Despite this, the government's policy of multiculturalism and targeted tolerance education has so far succeeded in ensuring relatively peaceful coexistence between Swedish citizens and foreign refugees. The Kingdom of Sweden is the world's largest producer of ball bearings and one of the European leaders in iron ore mining; It is also noteworthy that 9/10 of the country's electricity needs are generated by 3 nuclear and a number of hydroelectric power plants, which can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Another interesting fact is that Sweden (along with Norway) was Christianized only in the 13th century - the last of all European countries.

Climate and weather

The climatic conditions of different parts of Sweden differ from each other due to the considerable extent of the country: in the southern regions with a temperate climate, the air temperature in summer is usually +18...+22 °C, and in sunny and dry winter - about 0 °C during daylight hours; in the northern regions, a subarctic climate prevails (there is nothing surprising if you remember that the north of Sweden is already above the Arctic Circle), and the average temperature in summer is around +10...+15 °C, in winter - -15...-20 °C.

Precipitation is most significant in autumn and winter, so it is better to plan a tourist trip in late spring or early summer, but experienced skiers will prefer the period from mid-autumn to mid-spring, during which at least a meter of snow falls in the Scandinavian mountains.

It is important to remember that summer, despite being longer in the south and southwest of the country, is usually somewhat rainier than in the cold Swedish north.

Nature

More than half of Sweden is covered in forests; By this indicator, it is ahead of any European country. Also, about 10% of the country is occupied by the blue expanse of cool, clean lakes, around which lie spacious meadows.

But when going on a trip through resinous coniferous forests or fishing in the rivers of Sweden rich in salmon and trout, it is advisable to carefully study the local environmental legislation: it is prohibited to make fires and break branches, wash vehicles with water from natural reservoirs, cross the borders of nature reserves without special permission and even just picking flowers. Fishing is prohibited in most bodies of water, and a tin can or plastic bottle thrown in the wrong place can result in a significant fine. Thanks to such strict prohibitive measures, the Swedish government managed to preserve for true connoisseurs of beauty a real protected area, where you can admire many natural wonders: from centuries-old oak trees in the south of the country to predatory lynxes living in the north, but not dangerous to humans.

Attractions

One of the most beautiful European capitals is the Swedish city of Stockholm, located almost entirely on 14 islands. There are about 75 museums available for visiting here to suit every taste, including the unique Museum of Dance, which has no analogues in the whole world. For art connoisseurs, Stockholm provides an amazing opportunity to walk through the halls of as many as 100 (!) art galleries, which, among other things, contain originals of stunning paintings by such masters as Carl Larsson and Ferdinand Fagerlin.

However, other cities in the country are sometimes not inferior to the capital Stockholm in architectural and cultural terms; for example, the port of Gothenburg, located on the west coast of Sweden, is the residence of the Swedish bishop, and on the main square of the city there is one of the best concert halls in the world and the unusual Poseidon fountain.

You can also visit many attractions in Malmö (town hall and Renaissance castle), Uppsala (the oldest university in Scandinavia and the house-museum of the great scientist Carl Linnaeus), as well as on the large island of Gotland, famous for Bronze Age burials, and the slightly smaller island of Öland , home to ancient windmills, Iron Age forts and medieval castle ruins.

Nutrition

Traditional Swedish cuisine was based on dishes that could last for a long time. This was due to long winters and low population density. All kinds of smoked foods, pickles, preserves and jams, various types of homemade cookies and bread, as well as other simple natural products: cheese, eggs, sausages, minced meat, game and fresh berries were popular. Today, Swedish cuisine is also rich in first courses (the beer soups alone are worth it!), salads, various appetizers, pastries and delicate desserts. The food etiquette of the so-called buffet is interesting: it implies self-service, and the food is not divided into portions in advance - everyone cuts or puts in as much as they see fit, and therefore it is not customary in Sweden to leave food on the plate.

Accommodation

There are many housing options for those wishing to stay in Sweden: you can rent a double house (bungalow) with heating and a kitchen for $25-70 per day or a room on a country farm for only $150 per week. A day's rent of a room in the city center will cost $30-40, a hotel room - $90. In Sweden there are also numerous chalets (villages for visitors), campsites and youth tourist centers, many of which provide decent living conditions at very reasonable prices (up to $30 per day).

Entertainment and relaxation

You can take part in cheerful round dances to traditional acoustic music during the summer solstice at the end of June, hear folk choral songs and admire huge bonfires on April 30, when the Swedes celebrate the arrival of spring, and the opportunity to try juicy ham in mustard sauce and many other culinary delights is presented Christmas evening, December 24th.

Sweden is home to the magnificent ski resorts of Salen and Åre, operating from October to May; In Salen, more than 140 km of trails have been laid for skiing enthusiasts, almost 100 ski lifts have been built, and dog sledding and powerful high-speed snowmobile rides are also organized. And Åre has almost 90 km of slopes of varying difficulty.

In the country's major cities, especially in the capital Stockholm, nightlife is in full swing 7 days a week from the beginning to the end of the calendar year, so adherents of the club lifestyle are sure to stay here for a long time, enthusiastically discovering new boundaries of Swedish fun, drive and luxury.

Purchases

Most shops in Sweden have not very long working hours: 8-9 hours on weekdays (usually from 10:00 to 18:00) and 4-5 hours on Saturday (often from 9 am to 2 pm), on Sundays only the most open large stores.

The most popular souvenirs among tourists are trolls, Vikings, moose, as well as Swedish crystal and all kinds of runic amulets.

By the way, in Sweden there is a state monopoly on alcohol (except for light beer) - it is sold exclusively in specialized stores at very high prices, and only on weekdays.

Transport

The Swedish transport network is remarkably developed: intercity communication is carried out by high-speed trains and buses, buses run in cities, and in Stockholm there are also metro and electric trains. There is also a taxi system, but without prior reservation you will rarely see one on city streets. The roads in Sweden are of really high quality, but only an adult driver (according to Swedish law, over 21 years old) with at least 1 year of experience, with a credit card and, of course, an international driving license, can rent a car. In addition, in large cities there are problems with parking spaces. And in smaller settlements, the time allowed for parking in the center is often limited. A good alternative to renting a car in Sweden can be to rent a bicycle - special paths are equipped next to many highways, which makes it a popular and convenient means of transportation around cities and even the whole country.

Connection

Sweden has very modern telephony: there are 3 cellular operators using NMT900, MT450 and GSM standards, as well as an extremely extensive communication network of regular landlines, including street phones. By the way, in addition to standard communication cards, which are sold everywhere, you can often pay for the use of a payphone immediately with a credit card, which is especially convenient if you need to call abroad (and most payphones in Sweden provide this option).

Safety

In Sweden, it is important to strictly follow numerous traffic rules: always turn on low beam headlights, wear seat belts for all vehicle passengers, and so on. On the roads, the police practice periodic sobriety checks of drivers. When traveling around Sweden by car, you should be aware of the numerous wild animals, some of which may unexpectedly appear on the road at the most inopportune moment.

Drinking alcohol in public places is strictly prohibited here and is punishable by significant fines; The situation is the same with smoking.

It should also be noted that the social problems created by the massive influx of immigrants who do not want to assimilate: for example, some Swedish cities (for example, Malmö) today are secretly divided into a directly Swedish and immigrant part - in fact, a ghetto, where it is undesirable to be in the dark.

Business climate

Sweden has an extremely simple system for registering firms and companies, with fairly low corporate taxes and capital taxes. In addition, the concept of VAT is completely absent here, which is why there is practically no shadow business in the country that is unprofitable in such conditions. The Swedish government adheres to a policy of non-interference in the activities of entrepreneurs, which makes it easy to obtain loans and makes projects highly attractive to investors. All this creates quite favorable conditions for doing business in this stable northern country. Especially in the medium-sized business sector.

Real estate

In Sweden, real estate is not inherited (after the death of the owner, it returns to the public housing stock); any redevelopment must be formalized in the most detailed manner, in accordance with all legal rules. And the cost of a residential or commercial property has almost nothing to do with its location due to the well-developed transport network. So a building on the very outskirts of the city can be significantly more expensive than one located in the very center - due to the newness of the building, recent renovation or a successful design solution.

The Kingdom of Sweden is the largest country in Scandinavia. Although Sweden is on the outskirts of Europe, it has never been a cultural province. Many famous architects worked on the appearance of its cities. But the main wealth of this country is its nature, changing as you move from south to north, from the sandy shores of the Baltic with well-kept estates to the rugged forests and cliffs near the border with Norway. Sweden is home to bustling cities and small villages, lakes and rapids of wild rivers, high mountains and skerries in the form of thousands of small islands. The unique diversity of nature appears in its pristine beauty in Stockholm National Park with its unique flora and fauna.

Sweden is too diverse and rich in contrasts to express impressions in one word. And there is nothing to be surprised at the differences between the southern part of Sweden, which is almost no different from the rest of continental Europe, and its north, snow-covered Lapland. Sweden has everything: lively cities, scatterings of wooden houses, usually painted red, reservoirs, either fresh or salty, stormy rapids rivers, and sleepy lakes. and islands, and skerries in the form of thousands and thousands of freckles on the surface of the sea, and high mountains, and lovely valleys.

There are medieval castles, rune stones, thousands of Iron Age archaeological monuments, and one of the oldest universities. Sweden is the birthplace of the great storyteller Astrid Lindgren, where the eccentric Carlson and the favorite of all the children of the world, Pippi Longstocking, live.

Geography

Sweden is located in Northern Europe, in the eastern and southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the west, Sweden borders on Norway, in the north-east on Finland, and on the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. In the south, the straits Öresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak separate Sweden from Denmark. Sweden includes two large islands in the Baltic - Gotland and Öland. The area of ​​Sweden is 450 thousand square meters. km.

Time

It is 2 hours behind Moscow.

Climate

Moderate. The temperature in summer rarely rises above +22 C. In winter, the temperature does not drop below -16 C. Precipitation ranges from 500-700 mm per year (on the plains) to 1500-2000 mm (in the mountains).

Language

Almost nine million people live in Sweden. The only official language in Sweden is Swedish, which belongs to the Scandinavian group of Germanic languages.

Religion

Lutherans - 87%, others - 13%.

Population

The population is 8,850,000 people. Peoples: 90% Swedes, 3% Finns, 0.15% Sami - the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland.

Electricity

The mains voltage is 220 Volts.

Emergency numbers

Single number for police, fire brigade or ambulance: 9-00-00.

Connection

The country has GSM, MT 450 and NMT 900 standards of three operators - Europolitan, Tele2/Comviq and Telia Mobile. The cost of a call across the country between operators differs slightly and is about 5.5 CZK during the day, and in the evening and at night (from 19.00 to 7.00) and on weekends - about 2 CZK (plus the cost of the call - 40 Ere). Cellular numbers begin with the numbers 450 and 900; calls to such phones are made directly, without dialing the area code or operator.

The telephone network is very developed and modern. From a regular city payphone you can call anywhere in Sweden and any country in the world. Payphones are installed everywhere and work with telephone cards (30, 60 and 100 CZK, sold in newsstands and tobacco kiosks, Telia offices and post offices) and regular credit cards. The cost of calling within the city is 1 CZK per minute plus 2 CZK for the connection.

Currency exchange

Swedish krona, one krona is 100 øre, one US dollar is approximately equal to 10 Swedish kronor. Most banks in the country are open only on weekdays from 9.30 to 15.00, some banks in the center of Stockholm - from 9.00 to 17.30. Exchange offices operate seven days a week at airports, train stations, marinas, and main post offices. In some exchange offices, the cost of the service is expressed as a percentage of the exchange amount, while in others there is a fixed fee for the transaction, regardless of the amount. ATMs operate 24 hours a day. They accept all major credit cards: American Express, Diner's Club, Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa. By the way, it is better to buy crowns in Moscow or St. Petersburg - it will cost you less than in Sweden.

Visa

To enter the country, you must have a foreign passport and a visa (Schengen), obtained on the basis of an invitation. Consular fee of 25 US dollars. Russians with a stay of no more than 3 months are not subject to registration.

Customs regulations

The import of national and foreign currency is not limited. The export of foreign currency is not limited, national currency - no more than 6 thousand crowns in banknotes of no more than 1 thousand crowns. You can receive a partial VAT refund by using the tax-free system on purchases of goods over $50. When purchasing, you must present your passport and you will receive a special export receipt. You can import duty-free a liter of strong alcoholic drinks with an alcohol content over 22° or two liters of strong wines with an alcohol content from 15° to 22°, two liters of wine up to 15° and two liters of beer, as well as 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 550 g of tobacco. Alcohol is allowed to be transported only by persons over 20 years of age, tobacco products - by persons over 18.
Prohibited for export are food products (except for tea and coffee), animals and plants without special permits, drugs and doping substances, and mobile phones that do not meet the requirements of the Swedish telephone network. Weapons, flammable and explosive substances, and art objects also cannot be exported without special permission.

Holidays and non-working days

January 1 - New Year
January 6 - Epiphany
April 13 - Good Friday
April 15 - Easter
May 1 - Labor Day
June 3 - Trinity
June 6 - Swedish Independence Day
November 1 - All Saints' Day
December 24 - Christmas Eve
December 25-26 - Christmas

The "Water Festival", which has been held for the seventh year in a row, is a grandiose event not only in Sweden, but throughout Northern Europe. The culmination of the festival is the “Duck Race”: a swim of 40 thousand numbered plastic ducks (Water-festa emblem). The owner of the winning bird receives a prize - a Volvo 850, which is presented in the main hall of Stockholm City Hall, where the king and queen arrive to the sound of fanfare.

Transport

Trains are the main mode of transport outside major cities, serving regional centers. The railway network is most developed in the southern part of Sweden, where most of the country's cities are concentrated. Well developed bus service. Buses are the only mode of transport to reach remote parts of the country. SweBus express lines connect more than 1,500 settlements. Bus fares are significantly lower than train fares. Swedish roads meet the highest standards, only spoiled by the appearance of moose and reindeer on the roads at dusk and at night.

Ships ply between Stockholm and Gothenburg and the islands of the Stockholm archipelago. And steamboats on lakes such as Vättern, Siljan and Tonrnetäsk in Lapland offer cruises in the summer, which are very popular with the local population.

Arlanda's main international airport is located half an hour north of Stockholm. There are daily flights to most European countries. Most flights from North America and Asia usually land in Copenhagen, where you will have to make a connection. Ferries serve rail and bus lines for travel to Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Poland, Estonia and the UK and other European countries.

Tips

Hotel prices include service charges. Restaurant service is included in the bill. Late evening fees are higher. Taxi drivers should not take tips.

Stores

Stores in Sweden do not have strictly defined days of the week and opening hours. As a rule, this is Monday - Friday from 9:30 to 18:00. Department stores and other large stores are usually open on Sundays, from 12:00 to 16:00. Grocery stores are open every day, usually until 20:00, and some even longer.

National cuisine

Swedes traditionally use in their cooking mainly those products that can withstand long-term winter storage. Dishes prepared by Swedish chefs are usually hearty and contain a lot of fat and sugar. For frying and stewing, Swedes use lard (lard). Fish dishes are also popular. For example, the Swedes usually start any feast with an appetizer with salted herring, followed by other fish. After fish dishes, it is customary to change plates and then move on to other dishes.

Surely everyone is familiar with the expression “buffet”. In Swedish it sounds like "Smergasbrod". The history of this table is as follows: in ancient times, when the Swedes gathered guests for some reason, they naturally thought, first of all, about how to feed all the guests. And the guests, it should be noted, arrived from afar, from different villages scattered across the expanses of this large and sparsely populated country. In order not to make them wait long, they served dishes that could last for several days: salted herring, potato and boiled vegetable salads, hard-boiled eggs, cold meat and, of course, sandwiches. In the modern sense, a buffet is a reception at which self-service is organized for a large number of guests. They usually eat standing or sitting somewhere away from the table, so as not to disturb other guests approaching the table.

Swedish cuisine includes a large number of fish dishes. These are salted herring, herring in mustard, in wine, with onions, herring fillet with white sauce, grilled or oven-baked herring with lemon, herring in glassmestarsil marinade, as well as crustaceans, caviar, boiled sea pike "lutfisk" and river fish. Fish dishes are complemented by salads of potatoes and boiled vegetables, hard-boiled eggs with various sauces, and hearty soups such as beer soup "elebrad" or oyster soup "nasselsuppa-med-egg."

Among the meat dishes, highlights include pork roll "Flaskrulader", spicy pork sausage "Esterband", minced venison "Renstek", pate "Leverpashte", large dumplings "Kottbullar", Christmas ham and roasted elk "Unstect Allg". For dessert they serve pancakes, muffins, biscuits, pies (apple and blueberry with rhubarb are especially tasty) and cookies. Swedes prefer coffee and mineral water when it comes to drinks. Punch and grog are popular among alcoholic drinks.

Attractions and resorts

The main attractions of Sweden, of course, can be seen in Stockholm- one of the most beautiful capitals of Northern Europe: the Maritime Museum, churches of the 13th century, the royal palace, the Knight's House of the 17th century, the Church of St. Nicholas of the 13th century, the National, Historical and Northern museums. IN Uppsala and Lunde the 12th century cathedrals are well known; The castles of the 16th century deserve special attention Gripsholm, Vadstena and Kalmar. The main attractions of Sweden include the main city of the largest Gotland Islands- Visby, which was an important trading center in the Middle Ages, and today it is known as the city of “ruins and roses”, which preserves 92 church towers. You can also visit the second largest island of Sweden - Öland, connected to the mainland of the country by a modern bridge. Stockholm is called the “Venice of the North”, since a dozen large and small islands connected by bridges are located within the city. Stockholm is the residence of the king and a major trading port on the Baltic.

The legendary northern region - Lapland, belongs to Finland, Norway, Russia (in the west of the Kola Peninsula) and Sweden. The nature of Lapland is not only forests and snow-covered plains. This is a land of picturesque nature, which is carefully protected in numerous National Parks. The most famous national parks in this region are Abisko, Padjelanta, Muddus, Sarek. Padjelanta and Sarek parks are the largest in Sweden, the area of ​​each of them exceeds 200 thousand hectares, of which 90% are occupied by mountains. Padjelanta National Park has about 400 species of plants, as well as a wide variety of animals, which is not typical for mountainous areas. Sarek National Park presents tourists with more than 200 mountains, the height of which exceeds 1800 m. The 13 highest points of the country are located here. Sarek is ideal for hiking enthusiasts, but its trails are very difficult and close to mountaineering, especially since there are no campsites in Sarek, so it is recommended for experienced tourists to visit it. Here you can meet such animals as bears, lynxes, wolverines, and moose. In Abisko National Park there is a deep chasm that rises up from Lake Torneträsk. This place is one of the most popular for “winter” tourists who want to see the Northern Lights with their own eyes. Muddus National Park is almost entirely covered in dense forests and swamps, and the swamps around Lake Muddusjärvi are home to a large number of bird species. In the summer in Lapland, white nights are observed for 100 days, that is, the Sun does not set below the horizon, and in the winter the polar night sets in for three whole months. It is during this season of the year that you can see the northern lights.

Sweden's northernmost city is Kiruna, it is located above the Arctic Circle and is often called the “city of white nights”. The Kiruna Samgard Museum with an exhibition dedicated to the culture of the Sami people and the Kiruna Church are of interest here. The church was built in 1912. The free-standing bell tower at the front is supported by piers and the tombstone of founder Kiruna. Above the main door of the church is a relief dedicated to a group of Sami people under the clouds in the sky. In 2001, the church was recognized as the most beautiful building in Sweden.

IN Gothenburg there are 16 museums, among which the most interesting are the City Museum, the Art Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Ross Museum (the only museum of artistic crafts and design in Sweden), the Museum of the History of Medicine, the Banking Museum, the Observatory, the Skansen Kronan Museum of Military History, the Science Museum "Experimentum", Museum of Natural History and Museum of Navigation "Sjofarthistoriska Museum". Gothenburg is home to Sweden's largest botanical garden, displaying more than 12,000 plant species, flowers, herbaceous and woodland plants from around the world. The famous Göta Canal begins from Gothenburg, which ends in the vicinity of the city of Söderköping and connects the Kattegat Strait and the Gulf of Bothnia. Construction of the canal began in 1810 and ended a quarter of a century later. The canal passes through a variety of landscapes and passes through the Vanern Lake. A boat trip along the Göta Canal is considered one of the main excursions in Sweden.

In the very south of Sweden, in the resort region of Skåne, there is a city Malmo. Tourists will be amazed by the variety of museums in the city, the largest of which are the History and Art Museum and the Art Museum with an excellent collection of paintings by Russian artists. Also interesting are the Gothic Church of St. Petrichurka, built in 1319; Renaissance town hall (1546) and Malmehus castle (1542). The central square of Malmo, Lilla Torg, is very beautiful; it is paved with cobblestones and surrounded by buildings from the 16th to 18th centuries. In the very center of the city there are many parks where you can stroll and relax. Malmö is connected by a bridge to Copenhagen across the Åresund Strait.

The religious capital of the country is an ancient city Lund. This status is confirmed by the Romanesque Cathedral, the remains of the ancient Drottens Church, the estate of Sancta Maria Minor and the Renaissance royal palace. Lund Cathedral was built in the Romanesque style; the cathedral towers reach a height of 55 meters. Its interior is made of sandstone. Below the cathedral there is a chapel and ornate carved passages.

Ski resort Ore consists of four villages: Duved, Tegefjall, Ope By and Are Bjornen— and five ski areas: Duved, Tegefjall, Ope By, Are Bjornen and Rodkulle. All villages are connected by bus routes. Regardless of which village the tourist lives in, he can ski throughout the entire Åre complex. Åre meets all global requirements for a high-level ski resort. For its highest technical characteristics, it is often called the “Scandinavian Alps”. Alpine skiing World Cup stages have already been held here three times (one of them being the final), and the World Championships in this sport are scheduled for 2007. Åre has the best lift system in Northern Europe, 100 km of ski slopes, a height difference of 900 meters (374-1274) and guaranteed snow from November to May.