SWEDEN is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world, today it is a country of parliamentary democracy. The king, retaining the status of the head of state, performs only representative functions. According to the "Act on the Form of Government", all state power in Sweden comes from the people, who, by free secret vote, elect a parliament (Riksdag) every four years.
The first human settlements on the territory of the modern city were discovered on the island of Stadsholmen - one of the 14 islands on which the city is now located. The first mention of Stockholm dates back to 1252, and since the 13th century the city has been the permanent residence of the Swedish kings.
Traveling around Sweden, you will see quiet northern villages, where wooden houses are painted red and decorated with national ornaments, lively cities, the sea coast with wonderful sandy and pebble beaches, over which bizarre cliffs hang. Sweden is very diverse and rich in contrasts.
Sweden has preserved many monuments of medieval architecture: stone churches of the Romanesque style (in Uppsala, Lund), Gothic churches (in Stockholm, Uppsala), castles and palaces of the Renaissance.
Geographical position: Sweden is located in Northern Europe, in the eastern and southern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the west, Sweden borders Norway, in the northeast - Finland, and in the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. In the south, the straits of 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 kilometers.
Climate: Moderate. The temperature in summer rarely rises above +22 C. In winter, the temperature does not fall below -16 C. Precipitation ranges from 500-700 mm per year (on the plains) to 1500-2000 mm (in the mountains).
Capital: Stockholm.
Political status: Constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king. The legislative body is the parliament (Riksdag).
Population: 8.5 million people live. About 87% of the population are Swedes. About a million residents of the country are either immigrants or their descendants, among them the majority are Finns, Yugoslavs, Norwegians, Danes, Turks and Poles.
Language: The official language is Swedish. In the north of the country - Lappish. Among foreign languages, English is widespread.
Religion: Protestants and in smaller numbers representatives of other faiths.
Money: The monetary unit is the Swedish krona (SEK).
Cuisine: The Swedes, like all northern peoples, cannot boast of a large variety of national dishes. But they have become famous throughout the world for their manner of serving food: the "buffet" - a unique way of serving dishes - has gained popularity in all countries.
Swedish cuisine uses almost no seasonings or spices; the excellent taste of the dishes is created by the natural, excellent quality of the original products. Local delicacies primarily include venison and elk dishes, crayfish, vendace caviar, and salmon. However, for the Swedes themselves, salmon is a common food product—it is inexpensive and is offered in a variety of forms (raw, smoked, salted, etc.)
The most commonly consumed drinks are mineral water and coffee. Coffee "Swedish style" is a weak solution that can only be compared with the same "Finnish style". Therefore, if you want really strong coffee, order "espresso".
The attitude towards alcohol in Sweden is very cautious. A glass of alcohol drunk after work is considered a sign of incipient alcoholism. Alcohol is appropriate for holidays, weekends, and vacations.
Transport: The largest cities - Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö - and their suburbs have a well-developed network of urban public transport. However, in most parts of the country, a car is almost necessary.
Attractions: In the north, in Lapland, you can see the northern lights, huge herds of reindeer, visit "Santa Claus" or stay in a hotel that is really built of ice and snow, and which disappears in the spring, and in November appears again in new forms.
About 200 km from Stockholm, you can visit a real safari - Kolmården Park with wild lions walking freely, giraffes, elephants and ostriches. You can also visit the dolphinarium, where you will see a fascinating show performed by marine artists.
In the southwest of Sweden, you can visit the second largest city in the country and the port - Gothenburg. The famous Liseberg amusement park throughout Scandinavia will leave an unforgettable impression on you and especially on your children.
We also invite you to the West Coast - a popular holiday destination for Swedes. Here you will find the resorts of the North Sea, where it is pleasant to swim in the summer thanks to the warm Gulf Stream.
In Uppsala, one of the oldest cities in the country, in addition to the famous Dome Cathedral and one of the oldest universities in Europe, you can visit the Füreshov water park - the largest bathing and sports center in the north.
For those who wish, we offer holidays or cruises to the island of Öland, where the summer palace of the royal family is located, and the pearl of the Baltic Sea - the island of Gotland, where the city of "roses and ruins" Visby is still surrounded by a fortress wall.
Holidays:
1st and 6th January,
Good Friday,
Easter Monday,
1st and 25th May,
1st Monday and 24th June,
4th November,
25th and 26th December.
