A short message about the country sweden. What is a Swede like? Air traffic in Sweden

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 subdivided 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 languages ​​of national minorities are relatively widespread: Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli (a Finnish dialect). Indigenous Swedes dominate in the structure of the population (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 a low standard of living has led to certain changes in the ethnic balance, such as the creation of national diasporas and Muslim communities.

Despite this, the government's policy of multiculturalism and targeted education for tolerance has so far coped with the task of ensuring a relatively peaceful coexistence of Swedish citizens and foreign refugees. The Kingdom of Sweden is the world's largest manufacturer 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 demand is generated at 3 nuclear and a number of hydroelectric power plants, which can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. It is also interesting that Sweden (along with Norway) was Christianized only in the XIII 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 length of the country: in the southern regions with a temperate climate, the air temperature in summer is usually + 18 ... + 22 ° С, and in sunny and dry winters - about 0 ° С during the daytime; in the northern regions, the subarctic climate prevails (there is nothing to be surprised if we remember that the north of Sweden is already beyond the Arctic Circle), and the average temperature in summer is around + 10 ... + 15 ° С, in winter - -15 ... -20 ° С.

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, although long in the south and southwest of the country, is usually slightly rainy than in the cold Swedish north.

Nature

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

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

sights

One of the most beautiful European capitals is the Swedish city of Stockholm, almost entirely located on 14 islands. About 75 museums for every taste are available for visiting here, including the unique Dance Museum, which has no analogues in the whole world. For connoisseurs of art, Stockholm provides an amazing opportunity to walk through the halls of as many as 100 (!) Art galleries, which, among other things, have originals of stunning paintings by masters such as Karl 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 western coast of Sweden, is the seat of the Swedish bishop, and the main square of the city is home to one of the best concert halls in the world and the unusual Poseidon fountain.

Also, many attractions can be visited in Malmö (the town hall and castle of the Renaissance), Uppsala (the oldest university in Scandinavia and the house-museum of the great scientist Karl Linnaeus), as well as on the large island of Gotland, famous for burials of the Bronze Age, and the somewhat smaller island of Öland , where there are ancient windmills, forts of the Iron Age and the ruins of a medieval castle.

Nutrition

Traditional Swedish cuisine was based on long-lasting dishes. This was due to long winters and low population density. All kinds of smoked products, pickles, preserves and jams, various types of homemade biscuits and breads, as well as other simple natural products were popular: cheese, eggs, sausages, minced meat, game and fresh berries. Today, Swedish cuisine is also rich in first courses (which are only beer soups!), Salads, various snacks, pastries and delicate desserts. The food etiquette of the so-called buffet is interesting: it means self-service, and food is not divided into portions in advance - everyone cuts off or puts as much for himself as he sees fit, and therefore it is not customary to leave food on a plate in Sweden.

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. Daily 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), campings and youth tourist centers, many of which provide decent living conditions at quite reasonable prices (up to $ 30 per day).

Entertainment and recreation

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

Sweden is home to the excellent ski resorts of Salen and Are, operating from October to May; in Salen, for lovers of skiing, more than 140 km of trails have been laid, almost 100 ski lifts have been built, as well as dog sledding and powerful high-speed snowmobiles are organized. And Åre is almost 90 km of slopes of varying difficulty.

In large cities of the country, especially in the capital Stockholm, nightlife is in full swing all 7 days a week from the beginning to the end of the calendar year, so fans of the club lifestyle will probably 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 a.m. to 2 p.m.), on Sundays only the most large stores.

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

By the way, Sweden has 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 well 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 pre-ordering it is rarely seen on city streets. Roads in Sweden are of a really high quality, but only an adult driver (according to Swedish law, over 21 years old) with at least 1 year of experience can rent a car with a credit card and, of course, an international driver's license. In addition, in large cities there are problems with parking spaces. And in smaller settlements, the time of admissible parking in the center is often limited. A good alternative to renting a car in Sweden can be a bicycle rental - 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 a very modern telephony: there are 3 cellular operators using the NMT900, MT450 and GSM standards, as well as an extremely extensive communication network of ordinary landline phones, including street phones. By the way, in addition to standard communication cards sold everywhere, the use of a payphone can often be paid for immediately with a credit card, which is especially convenient if you need to call abroad (and most payphones in Sweden provide this opportunity).

Security

In Sweden, it is important to impeccably comply with numerous traffic rules: always turn on the dipped headlights, seat belts for all passengers of the vehicle, and so on. On the roads, the police practice periodic sobriety checks on drivers. When driving around Sweden, you should be aware of the many wild animals, some of which can unexpectedly hit the road at the most inopportune moment.

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

It should 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 tacitly divided into a direct 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 of registration of firms and companies, fairly low corporate taxes and taxes on capital. In addition, the concept of VAT is completely absent here, which is why there is practically no shadow business, which is unprofitable in such conditions. The Swedish government adheres to a policy of non-interference in the activities of entrepreneurs, which determines the ease of obtaining loans and the high attractiveness of projects for 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 is returned to the state housing stock), any redevelopment must be detailed in accordance with all legal rules. And the cost of a residential or commercial facility 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 much more expensive than a building located in the very center - due to the novelty of the building, recent renovation or a successful design solution.

Geography of Sweden

Sweden is a northern state located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The country borders on Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by the Øresund Bridge. The population of Sweden is about 9.5 million people, its density is quite low - only 21 inhabitants per sq. km. Most Swedes live in the southern part of the country, 85% in cities. The largest city in the country and its capital is Stockholm.

In the west of the state, there is a chain of Scandinavian mountains that separates Sweden from Norway. 65% of the country's territory is covered by forests. The largest islands in Sweden are Gotland and Oland, the largest lakes Vänern and Vättern. The highest point of the country is Mount Kebnekaise with a height of 2,111 m.

State structure of Sweden

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a king at the head of state. However, the monarchy in Sweden performs more of a ceremonial function. Legislative power in the country is exercised by the Rikstag (Swedish Parliament), which is headed by the country's Prime Minister.

Weather in Sweden

Most of Sweden's territory is in the temperate zone. In the southern part of the country, the weather conditions are much warmer, the Norwegian mountains serve as a kind of rain barrier, so there is a moderate amount of precipitation. Swedish summers are usually sunny and warm, with an average July temperature of + 20 ° C in the south and + 17 ° C in the north.

Swedish language

The country's official language is Swedish. Finnish, Romani and Yudish are also common in the country. Thanks to the influence of Anglo-American culture in Sweden, they are fluent in English (this is the main foreign language at school, and all foreign films in Sweden are not dubbed, but are released exclusively with Swedish subtitles).

Religion in Sweden

71.3% of the Swedish population are followers of the Swedish Church (Lutherans), and only 2% of them regularly attend church.

Currency of Sweden

The monetary unit of Sweden is the crown. 1 crown = 100 ore.

Currency is exchanged in Sweden most often at Forex points, you can also use the services of banks or mail, but the commission is usually higher there. You can pay for purchases and services with international plastic cards Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.

Customs restrictions

The following items can be brought into the country without paying any duty:

• 200 pcs. cigarettes or 100 pcs. cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco *.
• 1 liter of strong alcohol / 2 liters of fortified or sparkling wine / 2 liters of table wine / 16 liters of beer **
• a reasonable amount of perfume.
• gifts in the amount of 1 700 CZK.

* travelers must be over 18 years old.
** travelers must be over 20 years old

Prohibited items: drugs, weapons, meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, potatoes from non-EU countries, fireworks, alcohol above 60% alcohol.

National characteristics of Sweden.

Tips

In most hotels in Sweden, 10-15% of the service charge is already included in the service invoice. However, in restaurants and cafes, tax is not included in the bill, so tourists can leave up to 10% of the bill as a tip for good service.

Purchases

In Sweden, as in most European Union countries, you can get a part of the money spent on purchases (that is, part of the value added tax). Many state shops operate on the "taxfree" system. Therefore, if you bought a $ 50 item, take a receipt from the seller and present it when you leave the country.

Souvenirs

Popular Swedish souvenirs include moose figurines, T-shirts with their images, as well as all kinds of items with pictures of Vikings and trolls: wine glasses, wine glasses, mugs, plates, ashtrays, etc.

Opening hours of institutions

Banking institutions of the country work 5 days a week (Mon-Fri) from 9:30 to 15/18: 00. Currency exchange offices are open every day. Stores in Sweden start working at 10 am and usually close on weekdays at 6 pm, on Saturday at 4 pm.

Traditions

Many traditions in Sweden are associated with the changing seasons. So, for example, the meeting of spring falls on the last day of April (Walpurgis Night), when songs welcoming spring are heard everywhere. The summer solstice is celebrated with round dances around the maypole. In the fall, candles light up in honor of All Saints' Day.

Mains voltage:

Code of the country:

Geographic first level domain name:

Emergency phones:

The uniform number of the police, fire brigade and ambulance is 900-00 or 112
24-hour medical hotline - 644-9200

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

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

Sweden landmarks

Geography of Sweden

Located between 11 ° and 24 ° E and 55 ° and 69 ° North. It is washed from the east by the Baltic Sea and its Gulf of Bothnia, from the southwest by the Øresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak straits. The total length of the highly indented coastline exceeds 7 thousand km. Along the entire coast there are thousands of islands that form large archipelagos. The coastline 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 to the north of Gothenburg also has a significant ruggedness. In the Baltic Sea, Sweden owns two large islands - Gotland (3001 km2) and Öland (1344 km2). It shares borders with Norway in the west (1,619 km), with Finland in the northeast (586 km).

Sweden is dominated by low plateaus and hilly plains. The relatively flat relief 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, the Middle Swedish Lowland is located - the most populated and economically developed part of the country. Further south is the Småland Upland. The extreme south of the country, the Skåne Peninsula, is a vast plain with fertile soils; it is the main agricultural region.

The bowels of Sweden are rich in metals and poor in mineral fuels. The 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 in the Arctic Circle, in Lapland. The largest deposit is Kirunavaara. Lapland ores are 2/3 metal, but they contain a lot of phosphorus, so their industrial use became possible only in the end. 19th century after the discovery of the Thomas method of smelting. Another iron ore region - Bergslagen, known since the Middle Ages, is located in Central Sweden. There is less ore, but it differs in a low 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-Christineberg region containing copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver, pyrite, arsenic; deposits of lead (Laisvall) and copper (Aitik). Previously, one of the richest copper deposits in all of Europe in the Falun area of ​​Central Sweden is severely depleted. The reserves of uranium contained in oil shale deposits in Central Sweden are quite large.

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

Thanks to the warm Atlantic current of the 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 with 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 snowfalls are moderate. In the south, there is a mild, humid sea-type climate with significant precipitation. The climate in the eastern regions of Central Sweden is more continental. In Northern Sweden, winters are harsh, snowy and long.

The relief and climate of the country are favorable for the development of a dense network of rivers and lakes. Rivers flow in narrow valleys and are teeming with rapids and waterfalls. They are mainly used as energy sources. In terms of hydropower reserves, Sweden is second only to Norway in Western Europe. The most energetic rivers in Northern Sweden, originating on the eastern slopes of the Scandinavian mountains, crossing the stepped Norrland plateau and flowing into the Gulf of Bothnia. These are, first of all, Luleelv, Umeelv, Ongermanelven, Indalselven, Dalelven. The longest rivers are: Muonioelven - Tourneelven (570 km), Dalelven (520 km), Klarelven - Geta-Elv (520 km). Numerous lakes and expansions in river basins serve as natural reservoirs that regulate water flow throughout the year. Rivers and lakes occupy 9% of the total area of ​​the country. The largest of them lie in the low-lying part of Central Sweden. The largest lake in Western Europe, Lake Venern, with an area of ​​5,585 km2, stands out especially. A short but full-flowing river Geta-Elv with a high Trollhattan waterfall flows out of the lake, which flows into the Kattegat. Other large lakes are Vettern (1912 km2), Malaren (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 slopes of the mountains, they are replaced by birch forests, and even higher - mountain tundra, occupying approx. 1/8 of the country. To the south of 60-61 ° north latitude, coniferous forests give way to mixed ones. Broad-leaved species appear - maple, ash, oak, linden. In the extreme south and southwest, there are beech forests. Sweden ranks 1st in terms of timber reserves in Western Europe, with 90% of the total reserves accounted for by conifers. A lot of money has been spent on the restoration of 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, 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: they are home to herring, eel, cod, shrimp, and lobster. In rivers and lakes, there are salmon, trout, pike, perch, pike perch, burbot, bream, and in the north - grayling.

Population of Sweden

The growth rates are 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 the 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 - 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.

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

Until 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 are approx. 87% of the population. Approximately 1 million inhabitants are either immigrants or their descendants. These are Finns, immigrants from the former Yugoslavia, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks.

Swedish belongs to the northern subgroup of the Germanic language group. The linguistic minority is 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 equated with other denominations. Among the believing population there are also Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Baptists, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists.

History of Sweden

The first man appeared on the territory of Sweden about 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 the 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 unified state. Christianity becomes the dominant religion, and in 1164 an archbishopric is established in Uppsala. The process of centralization of the state under royal rule lasted two centuries (from the middle of the 12th century). In 1397, the Danish queen Margareta unites Denmark, Norway and Sweden in the so-called. The Kalmar Union under the Danish crown.

Constant strife both within the united states and between them gradually led to open conflict between the Swedes and the Danes. The final collapse of the union at 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 12-13 centuries. was conquered by the Swedes, on the other. The culmination was the so-called. The Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520, when more than 100 prominent representatives of various classes in Sweden were executed during the accession to the throne 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, who was elected king of Sweden in 1523, was enthroned.

Gustav Vasa, advocating Swedish sovereignty, decisively thwarted attempts to revive the Kalmar Union and carried out a number of important reforms that played an important 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 introduces a hereditary monarchy (before that it was elective). The attempts of the highest nobility to restore their power during the reign of Eric XIV (1560-68), Johan III (1568 92) and Sigismund (1592-99) failed. During the reign 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 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 Christine (1632-54), Charles X Gustav (1654-60) and lost its validity in 1680 under Charles XI (1660-97). After that, the nobility became a bureaucratic class, obedient to the will of the king.

After the breakdown 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 the 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 Bohuslan, 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 1648 Westphalian and 1658 Roskilde peace treaties with Denmark, Sweden became a great power in Northern Europe. Sweden even briefly established a colony in North America (where the state of Delaware is now located).

However, Sweden remained a purely agrarian country with a subsistence economy (not counting small metallurgical plants and copper ore mining in Falun) and did not have the resources to maintain its position as a great power for a long time. In 1700 Russia, Saxony allied with Poland, as well as Denmark and Norway together opposed the strengthening of the Swedish Empire. Although the young Swedish king Karl XII (1697-1718) won victories in the first period of the Great Northern War (1700-21), he still could not afford the vast plan of forcing Russia to surrender by siege of Moscow. The defeat in the Battle of Poltava in 1709, and then the death of Charles XII during the siege of a Norwegian fortress in 1718 and the conclusion of the Nystadt peace treaty with opponents, to which England, Hanover and Prussia later joined, put an end to the Swedish great power. Sweden lost most of the provinces on the opposite side of the Baltic, and its territory shrank to about what is now Sweden and Finland.

The Russo-Swedish War of 1808-09 resulted in 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 the decision of the Congress of Vienna from Denmark to Sweden. The union, which annexed Norway to Sweden, existed until 1905 and was dissolved at the initiative of Norway as a result of peace negotiations.

After a short-term war with Norway in 1814, when the union was created, Sweden no longer participated in wars and, since World War I, pursued a foreign policy of freedom from alliances in peacetime and neutrality during war. After the death of Charles XII and the defeat of Sweden in the Great Northern War, the Swedish parliament, the Riksdag, has been permanently operating since the 15th century. and leading its origin from the election of tribal elders and leaders of the Vikings, introduced a new Constitution that abolished royal absolutism and transferred power into the hands of the Riksdag. During the period of the so-called. In the era of freedom (1719-72), Sweden 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 d'état in 1809, the political development of Sweden went on more calmly and peacefully.

In 1809, a new constitution was introduced based on the separation 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 reign 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 and, finally, the implementation of parliamentary reform in 1866. The latter reform replaced the one that had existed since the 15th century. a four-estate Riksdag to a bicameral one.

In the end. 19th century widespread popular movements arose: free churches, sobriety, women and, most importantly, workers. The latter arose with the industrialization of the country and was of a reformist nature. The first representatives of the Social Democracy entered the government as early as 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 to build a welfare society, and carried them out after World War II.

Government and political system of Sweden

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The Constitution is in force, which entered into force on January 1, 1975. Administrative divisions - 21 Län: Blekinge, Värmland, Västerbotten, Västernorrland, Westmanland, Västra Götaland, Gotland, Dalarna, Gävleborg, Emtland, Jonköping, Kalmar, Krunuberg, Sørdermotone , Uppsala, Halland, Örebro, Österjetland.

The largest cities (thousand people): Stockholm (1700 with suburbs), Gothenburg (800), Malmö (500). The Swedish Constitution consists of 4 separate documents: the Act on the Form of Government, adopted in 1974, the Act on Succession to the throne, in force since 1810, the Freedom of the Press Act of 1949 (dating back to 1766) and the Act on Freedom of Expression, which entered into force in 1991. Besides Moreover, the Riksdag Act 1974 is intermediate 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 endowed with purely representative or ceremonial functions and is a symbol of the Swedish state and nation.

Since 1971, the Swedish Riksdag 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 to parties that receive at least 4% of the vote in an election. For most of the period since 1932, the Social Democratic Labor Party has been 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 Labor Party of Sweden is represented in the Riksdag - 144 mandates, 39.8% of the total number of votes; Moderate coalition party - 55 and 15.2% respectively; People's Party - Liberals - 48 and 13.3%, Christian Democrats - 33 and 9.1%; The Left Party - 30 and 8.3%; Center Party - 22 and 6.1%; Environmental Protection Party - "green" - 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 prime minister of the country, 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. The murder of Palme has not yet been solved.

Dag Hammarskjold (1905-61) was the UN Secretary General from 1953 until the day of his death. Carrying out his duties, he died in a plane crash over the territory of Zambia. He strove to ensure that the UN plays 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 the preparation of bills for the government. The Council of Ministers meets once a week to approve decisions and is collectively responsible for all decisions taken. Law enforcement is entrusted to 100 relatively independent central institutions and lane boards.

Until 1971 Sweden was divided into 850 communes, each of which had its own elected assembly of delegates. 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, childcare, etc. ... Communes have the right to levy income tax.

There is a regional level of government between the state and communal levels. At this level, the country is divided into lanes. State power is represented in each lane by the governor and the lane board. The lane governors are appointed by the government for a term of 6 years and preside over the lane board. The lane board members are appointed by the Landsting, which is elected and is responsible for health care and certain types of education. Landstings levy income tax.

Political parties are well organized inside and outside the Riksdag. The Social Democratic Labor Party of Sweden was founded in 1889, is the ruling, largest in the country, is closely associated with the movement of workers' trade unions, represents the ideas of the Swedish model of democratic socialism. The Conservative Moderate Coalition Party was founded in 1904 (until 1969 - the Rightist Party), representing the interests of large companies and high-ranking officials. The center party was founded in 1910 (until 1957 - the Peasant Union), and expresses the interests of the middle and small landowners, as well as part of the middle and petty urban bourgeoisie. The People's Party - the Liberals - was founded in 1895 (until 1990 - the People's Party), represents the interests of the big, 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 into the Communist Party, in 1967 - into the Left Party - Communists, since 1990 it has the current name). The Environmental Party - Greens - founded in 1981, expresses the idea 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 take place in the Riksdag.

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

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

Sweden remained neutral during both world wars. Thanks to this, as well as due to other circumstances, she managed to stay away from hostilities. After World War II, Sweden continued its traditional policy of freedom from alliance in peacetime and neutrality in 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 has focused on helping developing countries and global environmental issues, as well as supporting UN disarmament efforts and confidence-building measures in Europe. Support for the UN and its Charter remains one of the fundamental elements of Swedish foreign policy. Sweden allocates approx. 1% of its GDP to aid developing countries.

In the 1980s. the central element of Sweden's foreign policy was the doctrine of general security, aimed at reducing armaments in Europe and supporting the idea of ​​general and complete disarmament throughout the world.

For a long time, the policy of neutrality did not allow Sweden to seek EU membership. Sweden was content with membership in the less rigidly organized EFTA. However, the changes in Europe and the end of the Cold War made it possible to reconsider this position. In July 1991 Sweden applied for admission to the EU, in November 1994 the Swedish people in a referendum approved accession to the EU, and in January 1995 Sweden became a full member of the EU.

Sweden has announced that it shares the long-term goals of the EU and supports its efforts to create an economic and political union. Within the EU, Sweden is focusing on the EU enlargement process, increased employment, greater transparency in decision-making, gender equality and tighter environmental policies.

The Swedish policy of non-participation in military alliances remains unchanged. This policy contributes to the maintenance of stability in Northern Europe. Sweden also makes a significant contribution to strengthening security throughout Europe through its 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 the GATT and implemented within the framework of the WTO.

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

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

Economy of Sweden

For 100 years, Sweden from the 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. The transformation of the economy from a backward to an advanced industrial one was facilitated by the availability 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 for the industrial development of Europe. The expansion of Swedish exports contributed to the industrialization of the country and the growth of the urban population. New companies in metallurgy and mechanical engineering were created and grew rapidly on the basis of Swedish inventions. In conditions of rapid population growth, emigration was of great importance, primarily to North America (in 1860-1930, 1.2 million Swedes left the country), which made it possible to avoid hunger and mass unemployment.

Sweden avoided participation in both world wars, which allowed it not only to preserve production potential and labor resources, but also to significantly enrich itself on supplies to the belligerent countries and during the recovery of the European economy.

For several decades after World War II, the Swedish economy continued to develop rapidly. These were her golden years. The welfare state was built. However, in the 2nd floor. 1970s and early. 1990s Sweden has experienced severe economic crises. The volume of GDP decreased, the volume of public debt increased, and in the 1990s. the exchange rate of the Swedish krona was declining. The economy and public finances were severely reorganized. By the beginning. 21 c. 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 kroons, and per capita - 262.2 thousand kroons. Inflation - 2.4%, gross capital investment - 400 billion kroons (2002).

Sweden employs 50% of the population. This figure is high because over 75% of women aged 16-64 are employed. Before the beginning. 1990s the unemployment rate was low. However, he then grew significantly. In 2002, the economically active population was 4.4 million, unemployment - 4%.

The sectoral structure of the economy: agriculture - 2%, industry - 29, services - 69 (in terms of contribution to GDP), agriculture - 2, industry - 24, services - 74% (in terms of employment).

Swedish industrial production is often based on local raw materials such as timber and iron ore. Mechanical engineering enterprises, including the automotive industry, account for 40% of the total production volume, the woodworking and pulp and paper industry - a little more than 20%, the share of the chemical industry - approx. 12%. In the 1990s. the most dynamically developed pharmaceuticals, the production of telecommunications equipment and automobiles. Information technologies play an increasing role in the economy. Sweden is one of the leading countries in this area.

Per capita energy consumption in Sweden is one of the highest in the world as a result of the cold climate, concentration of energy-intensive industries and high living standards. Cheap hydropower has been an important factor in the country's industrial development. OK. 15% of the energy comes from power plants built mainly on the rivers of Northern Sweden. St. 40% of the energy consumed in the country comes from oil imports, 7% from coal and coke imports. 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. Agricultural production uses only 8% of Sweden's territory. At the same time, agriculture is highly productive. Sweden satisfies St. 80% of food needs come from own production, incl. almost completely in milk, meat, bread, potatoes.

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

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

Small family farms predominate in Sweden, 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 the cultivated land is leased.

Fishing flourished in Sweden in the 1950s and first half. 1960s mainly due to the large stocks of herring in the North Sea. The 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. The merchant fleet consists of 174 vessels with a total displacement of 2.6 million tons. The main ports are Gothenburg, Stockholm, Malmö. 90% of Sweden's foreign trade goes by sea On July 1, 2000, the Øresun Bridge was opened, connecting Malmö and Copenhagen. The country has 255 airports, 6 million telephones and about 4 million mobile phones, 169 TV broadcasting stations, 4.6 million televisions, 6.02 million Internet users (2002).

Over the past decades, there have been significant changes in Swedish trade in order to better adapt to consumers and their habits. The total number of stores decreased noticeably (from 9.2 thousand in 1980 to 6.8 thousand in 1998). During the same period, the volume of sales increased almost 3 times. More than 1/2 of the convenience stores are now open on Sundays. The self-service system has become widespread. Country self-service stores (hypermarkets) have appeared, offering goods at low prices. Supermarkets, among which supermarkets stand out, have a full range of food and ready-made goods. There are large chain stores in selected areas. Most of the wholesale trade is carried out by independent enterprises. Cooperatives play an important role in trade.

A 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, from which it abstained 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 terms of interest rates. Since 1992, the Swedish krona floated, which depreciated significantly over the next decade.

In 2002, government revenues accounted for 56.9% of GNP, expenditures - 55.5%, state budget surplus - 1.4%, public debt - 52.4% of GNP, or 1235 billion kroons (2003). Government consumption amounted to 656 billion kroons (2002).

Working week - 40 hours. Paid vacation - 5 weeks. After the 1991 tax reform, most employed people pay only 100 kroons in state income tax (the maximum rate goes up to 25%), and the communal income tax rates are around 31%. Corporate income tax 28%. Value added tax ranges from 6 to 25%. Employers deduct 33% and employees pay 6% to cover social expenses. In addition, companies deduct approx. 7% for pension benefits according to collective agreements.

The standard of living of the population in Sweden is considered one of the highest in the world. The wages of women in relation to men in Sweden are the highest in the world. The hourly wage of a worker in the private sector is 112.7 kroons, the monthly wage of an employee in the private sector is 26 180 kroons (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, and the poorest 10% - 4%. Personal consumption amounted to 1139 billion kroons (2002).

The Swedish economy is closely connected with the outside world and is highly dependent on foreign trade. OK. 50% of manufactured industrial products are exported. Exports, which amounted to 1,012 billion kroons in 2002, are dominated by machinery and equipment (35%), vehicles, paper, cellulose, timber, ferrous metals, and chemical products. 55% of exports went to the EU countries (Germany - 11%, Great Britain - 9%, Denmark - 6%, Finland - 6%), to the USA - 11%, to Norway - 9% (2001). Imports, which amounted to 871 billion kroons, are dominated by machinery and equipment, oil and oil products, chemical products, vehicles, ferrous metals, food products, clothing (2002). In 2001, 66% of imports came from the 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

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

In Sweden approx. 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 in Lund was opened. In the 19th century. opened universities 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 Higher School of Trade in Stockholm are world-famous.

A wide network of public adult schools enables adults with insufficient education to receive the same level of education as ordinary schoolchildren. More than 2.5 million people every year they study at various courses and in circles 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 Karl Linnaeus (1707-78), who founded the Royal Academy of Sciences in 1739, greatly influenced 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. Jones Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848), who developed electrochemical and atomistic 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, made a great contribution to the development of chemistry. 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), the designer of the first ship propellers, steamships and steam locomotives, and the 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 Mikael Belmann (1740-95). The poet's birthday is celebrated every summer with folk festivities in the Haga and Skansen parks. In literature, the name of the romantic poet is widely known. 1st floor. 19th century Esaias Tegner (1782-1846). The masterpiece of his work is the poem "The Saga of Fridtjof", written on the plot of the ancient Scandinavian saga. August Strindberg (1849-1912) is a colossus of Swedish literature. His vast artistic heritage spans a wide variety of art genres. Outside Sweden, he is best known as a dramatic writer. Romantic and folklore motifs fill the works of Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940), who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909. Her novel The Saga of Este Berling is best known. The book "Niels's Amazing Journey with Wild Geese", written for children, has gained worldwide fame. This book is a hymn to the nature and people of Sweden. Wilhelm Muberg (1898-1973) was called a classic of Swedish literature during his lifetime, who was famous for the epic novels about the 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 ​​of the world, 40 films have been made on them. Rooftop Carlson and Pippi Longstocking have won the love of children around the world.

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

Sweden has made a significant contribution to the world of cinematography. Ingmar Bergman (born 1918) is a theater and film director. Between 1946 and 1982 he created 40 films. The film "The Smile of a Summer Night" brought him worldwide fame. The last film was "Fanny and Alexander". Bergman continues to work in the theater. "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) arrived in Hollywood early. 1940s Her most famous film is Casablanca. For her roles, she received three Oscars.

Jussi Björling (1911-60) was one of the world's leading tenors. He made his debut at the Stockholm Opera before he was 20 years old. ABBA in the 1970s marked the beginning of an era of international recognition for Swedish pop music, which has become an important export item for the country. When ABBA ceased to exist in 1982, they sold 250 million records.

Björn Borg (born 1956) became the most popular Swedish athlete of the 20th century, he went down in tennis history by winning the Wimbledon tournament 5 times in a row. Among other athletes, skier Ingemar Stenmark can be distinguished. The Swedish national teams have achieved great success in ice hockey and ball hockey, tennis and table tennis, football and other sports.

The Swedish kingdom is the largest country in Scandinavia. Although Sweden is located 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 treasure of this country is its nature, which changes as we move from the south to the north, from the sandy shores of the Baltic with manicured estates to the harsh forests and rocks near the border with Norway. Sweden is bustling cities and small villages, lakes and rapids of turbulent rivers, high mountains and skerries in the form of thousands of small islands. The unique diversity of nature appears in its pristine beauty in the Stockholm National Park with a unique flora and fauna.

Sweden is too diverse and rich in contrasts to express an impression in one word. And there is nothing to be surprised at the differences between the southern part of Sweden, which is almost indistinguishable from the rest of continental Europe, and its north - snow-covered Lapland. Sweden has it all: bustling cities, and scattering of wooden houses, usually painted red, and reservoirs, sometimes fresh, sometimes salty, and turbulent rapids, 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, runestones, thousands of archeological monuments of the Iron Age, one of the oldest universities. Sweden is the birthplace of the great storyteller Astrid Lindgren, the eccentric Carlson and the favorite of all children in the world, Pippi Longstocking, live here.

Geography

Sweden is located in Northern Europe, in the eastern and southern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the west, Sweden borders on Norway, in the northeast - with 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 Oresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak straits separate Sweden from Denmark. Sweden has two large islands in the Baltic - Gotland and Öland. The area of ​​Sweden is 450 thousand square meters. km.

Time

Lags behind Moscow by 2 hours.

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. Peoples: 90% Swedes, 3% Finns, 0.15% - Sami - the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland.

Electricity

The voltage in the network is 220 volts.

Emergency telephones

The uniform number of the police, fire brigade or ambulance: 9-00-00.

Connection

Three operators - Europolitan, Tele2 / Comviq and Telia Mobile - operate on the territory of the country. The cost of a national call between operators differs insignificantly and is about 5.5 kroons during the day, and in the evening and at night (from 19.00 to 7.00) and on weekends - about 2 kroons (plus the cost of a call - 40 ore). Cellular numbers begin with the digits 450 and 900, the call to such phones is made directly, without dialing the area code or operator.

The telephone network is highly developed and modern. From an ordinary city payphone, you can call anywhere in Sweden and anywhere in the world. Public telephones are ubiquitous and work with telephone cards (30, 60 and 100 kroons, sold at newsstands, tobacco kiosks, Telia offices and post offices) and regular credit cards. Calls within the city are charged at CZK 1 per minute plus CZK 2 per call.

Currency exchange

Swedish krona, in one krona 100 era, one US dollar is approximately equal to 10 Swedish krona. 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 work seven days a week at airports, railway stations, marinas, and main post offices. In some exchange offices the cost of the service is expressed as a percentage of the amount exchanged, in others there is a fixed fee for the operation, regardless of the amount. ATMs work around the clock. They accept all major credit cards: American Express, Diners 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 passport and a visa (Schengen) obtained on the basis of an invitation. Consular fee of USD 25. 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 - no more than 6 thousand kroons in banknotes of no more than 1,000 kroons. You can get a partial VAT refund by using the tax-free system on purchases over $ 50. When buying, you must show your passport, and you will receive a special export receipt. You can import duty-free a liter of spirits with an alcohol content of over 22 ° or two liters of strong wines with a strength of 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 only to persons over 20 years old, tobacco products - to persons over 18.
It is prohibited to export food products (with the exception of tea and coffee), animals and plants without special permits, drugs and doping agents, mobile phones that do not meet the requirements of the Swedish telephone network. Weapons, flammable and explosive substances, and objects of art cannot be exported without a special permit.

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 is being held for the seventh year in a row, is a grandiose event not only on the scale of Sweden, but also of the whole of Northern Europe. The culmination of the festival is "Duck Race": a swim of 40 thousand numbered plastic ducks (Water-festa emblem). The owner of the winning bird receives a prize - "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 of 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. Bus service is well developed. Buses are the only mode of transport to reach the remote corners of the country. SweBus express lines connect more than 1,500 settlements. Bus fares are significantly lower than train fares. Swedish roads are of the highest standard, only the appearance of moose and reindeer on the road at dusk and at night spoils them.

Ships ply between Stockholm and Gothenburg and the islands of the Stockholm archipelago. Steamers on lakes such as Vättern, Silyan and Tonrentesk in Lapland make summer cruises that 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 need to connect. 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 are not required to take tips.

The shops

Stores in Sweden do not have strictly defined days of the week and opening hours. As a rule, it 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 daily, usually until 20:00, and some even longer.

National cuisine

Swedes traditionally use in their cooking mainly those products that can withstand long winter storage. The dishes prepared by Swedish chefs are usually hearty and contain a lot of fat and sugar. For frying and stewing, the Swedes use lard (spig). Fish dishes are also popular. For example, it is customary for the Swedes to begin any feast with a salted herring appetizer, followed by another 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 any reason, they thought, of course, 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 vastness 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 where a large number of guests are self-service. They usually eat while standing or sitting somewhere away from the table, so as not to interfere with other guests coming to the table.

Swedish cuisine includes a wide variety of fish dishes. This is salted herring, herring in mustard, in wine, with onions, herring fillet with white sauce, herring grilled or baked in the oven with lemon, herring in glasmastarsil marinade, as well as crustaceans, caviar, boiled sea pike "lutfisk" and River fish. The fish dishes are complemented by salads of potatoes and boiled vegetables, hard-boiled eggs with various sauces, hearty soups such as elebrad beer soup or nasselsuppa honey yegg oyster soup.

Meat dishes stand out from the Flaskrulader pork roll, Easterband spicy pork sausage, Renstek chopped venison, Leverpashte pâté, Cottbullar big dumplings, Christmas ham and Unstect alg fried elk. For dessert, pancakes, muffins, biscuits, pies (apple and blueberry with rhubarb are especially tasty) and biscuits are served. Swedes prefer coffee and mineral water as drinks. Punch and grog are popular alcoholic beverages.

Attractions and resorts

The main sights of Sweden can of course 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 Knights' house of the 17th century, the Church of St. Nicholas of the 13th century, the National, Historical and Northern museums. V Uppsala and Lunde the 12th century cathedrals are well known; especially noteworthy are the castles of the 16th century in Gripsholme, Vadstene and Kalmar... The main attractions of Sweden include the main city of the largest Gotland Islands- Visby, which in the Middle Ages was an important trade center, and today it is known as the city of "ruins and roses", which has preserved 92 church towers. You can also visit Sweden's second largest island - Öland, connected to the mainland by a modern bridge .. Stockholm is called the "Venice of the North", as fifteen large and small islands connected by bridges are located within the city. Stockholm is the residence of the king and a major commercial port on the Baltic.

Legendary northern edge - Lapland, belongs to Finland, Norway, Russia (in the west of the Kola Peninsula) and Sweden. Lapland's nature is not only about forests and snowy 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, Padielanta, Muddus, Sarek. The Padjelanta and Sarek parks are the largest in Sweden, each with an area of ​​more than 200 thousand hectares, of which 90% are occupied by mountains. There are about 400 plant species in Padjelanta National Park, as well as a wide variety of animals, which is not typical for mountainous regions. Sarek National Park presents to tourists more than 200 mountains, the height of which exceeds 1800 m. The 13 highest points of the country are located here. For hikers, Sarek is ideal, but its trails are very difficult and close to mountaineering, especially since there are no campsites in Sarek, so it is recommended to visit it for experienced hikers. Here you can find such animals as bears, lynxes, wolverines, moose. There is a deep crevice in Abisko National Park that rises from Lake Tornetrask. This place is one of the most popular for "winter" tourists seeking to see the northern lights with their own eyes. The Muddus National Park is almost entirely occupied by dense forests and marshes, and the marshes around Lake Muddusjärvi are home to a large number of bird species. In summer, Lapland has white nights for 100 days, that is, the Sun does not set below the horizon, and in winter the polar night sets in for three months. It is during this season of the year that you can see the northern lights.

The northernmost city in Sweden is Kiruna, it is located above the Arctic Circle and is often called the "city of white nights". Interesting here are the Kiruna Samgard Museum with an exposition dedicated to the culture of the Sami people and the Kiruna Church. The church was built in 1912. The freestanding bell tower in front is supported by the pillars and tombstone of the founder Kiruna. Above the main door of the church is a relief dedicated to the Sami group under the clouds in the sky. In 2001, the church was recognized as the most beautiful building in Sweden.

V Gothenburg there are 16 museums, among which the most interesting are the City Museum, the Art Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Ross Museum (Sweden's only museum of arts and crafts and design), the Museum of the History of Medicine, the Museum of Banking, the Observatory, the Skansen Kronan Museum of Military History, the Science Museum "Experimentum", Natural History Museum and Maritime Museum "Syofarthistoriska Museum". Gothenburg is home to Sweden's largest botanical garden, with over 12,000 plant species, flowers, herbaceous and forest plants from all over the world. From Gothenburg, the famous Göta Canal begins, which ends in the vicinity of the city of Söderköping and connects the Kattegat Strait and the Gulf of Bothnia. The construction of the canal began in 1810 and ended a quarter of a century later. The canal runs through varied landscapes and runs through the Vanern Zero. A boat trip on the Göta Canal is considered one of the main excursions in Sweden.

In the very south of Sweden, in the resort region of Skane, there is a town Malmo... Tourists will be amazed by the variety of museums in the city, the largest of which are the Historical and Art Museum and the Art Museum with an excellent collection of paintings by Russian artists. Also of interest are the Gothic Church of St. Petrichurk, built in 1319; Renaissance town hall (1546) and Malmechus castle (1542). The central square of Malmö Lilla Torg is very beautiful; it is paved with cobblestones and surrounded by buildings of the 16-18 centuries. In the very center of the city, there are many parks where you can walk and relax. Malmö is connected by a bridge to Copenhagen across the Öresund 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 church of Drottens Ciurcherun, the estate of St. Maria Minor and the Renaissance royal palace. Lund Cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, the towers of the cathedral reach 55 meters in height. Its interior is made of sandstone. There is a chapel and ornate carved passages under the cathedral.

Ski resort Ore consists of four villages: Duved, Tegefjall, Are 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 the village in which the tourist settled, he can ski on the territory of the entire Åre complex. Are meets all the world requirements for a high-level ski resort. For the highest technical characteristics it is often called the "Scandinavian Alps". The stages of the World Cup in alpine skiing have already been held here three times (and one of them is the final one), and the 2007 World Championship in this sport is scheduled. Åre has the best ski lift system in Northern Europe, 100 km of ski slopes, an altitude difference of 900 meters (374-1274) and guaranteed snow from November to May.