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Sweden - Travel Guide
Description
Located in Northern Europe between Finland and Norway, Sweden forms the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is a land of seemingly endless tranquillity and beauty and has, on its surface, over 20,000 lakes.
Southern Sweden is more populated than the Northern region, and has a less severe climate. In the North lie the glacier-scarred mountains of the Kjølen range, rising to an altitude of 2,000m. It is a beautiful but desolate part of the country, with dramatic scenery, fast flowing rivers and thick conifer woods (the source of Sweden's timber). The South is the location of Stockholm, Sweden's capital and Gothenburg. Both these beautiful cities are set against a dramatic, watery backdrop and are perfect places for experiencing Sweden's art and culture. Stockholm has the best of the country's museums as well as exclusive restaurants, a variety of nightlife and The Swedish Royal Opera and Ballet.
The Swedes are a health-conscious population. They eat a lot of fish and thoroughly enjoy any kind of outdoor activity. From bird watching to fishing, orienteering to skiing, there are amenities to satisfy everyone who wishes to brush up on their skills or learn some new ones. From the far north to the deep south there is such a range of scenery, activities and climates that your senses will be continually stimulated.
The rugged natural environment which emerges as you travel north through Sweden, simply has to be explored. In the far north, the high latitude means that, the daylight hours are incredibly long in the summer and short in the winter.
When you visit Sweden you may be tempted to shop for a souvenir or two. Modern crafts such as ceramics, glass, textiles and, of course, furniture have managed to achieve international recognition as good value and excellent quality products so, who knows, you may just return home with a bargain, or an amazing piece of modern art.
Driving Guide
Two tips which apply to Scandinavia more than the rest of Europe are: ensure you carry snow chains in winter, and beware at all times of wild animals, especially deer and moose! If you do travel in winter, please note that it is not necessary to report minor accidents, unless there is an injury, when you must contact the police. Speed limits vary more than for most other countries: on motorways 110km/h; on motorways around towns 70km/h; on major roads out of towns up to 90km/h; in built-up areas 50km/h; and near schools 30km/h. If you are driving slowly on a motorway, you will be expected to move onto the shoulder of the road to allow others to pass, but do not stay on the shoulder. Dipped headlights must be used at all times, and the vehicle must carry a warning triangle, while a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher are highly recommended. The horn should be used only in emergencies. Seat-belts are compulsory both front and back, and children under 7 should travel in an approved seat or harness. The minimum age for driving is 18. When parking, always park in the direction of the flow of traffic. There are surprisingly high fines for parking violations, so be careful. Always remember that trams have priority, so look out for passengers disembarking. Do NOT drink and drive.
Sweden - Key Facts
Timezone: UK+1.Languages spoken: Swedish. English & German widely spoken.
Capital City: Stockholm.
Major Cities: Gothenburg, Malmo.
Mojor Airports: Gothenburg, Malmo, Stockholm.
Population: 9 million
Area: 449,964 sq km - 173,731 sq miles.
Climate Guide: Most of Sweden has a continental climate with a fairly large range of temperatures between summer and winter. Rainfall is quite low except on higher ground and it is rather wetter in summer than winter when most rain in the N falls as snow. Winters become colder and longer travelling N with many days below freezing. Summer temperatures are surprisingly similar throughout the country as long days in the N help to raise temperatures to the same as those in the relatively warm S.
Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK 1 = 100 ore).
Notes: SEK: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000.
Coins: SEK: 1, 5, 10. Ore: 50.
Telephone Code: 46
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz.
UK Tourist Information: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Sweden House, 5 Upper Montagu St
London W1H 2AL
Tel: 020 7870 5600 (trade); 020 7870 5603 (press)
00800 3080 3080 (freephone brochures)
Fax: 020 7724 5872
E-mail: info@swetourism.org.uk
Website: www.visit-sweden.com
Hotel Class: There is no official hotel classification system in Sweden. Arbitrary categories of £ up to £££££ are given here based on rack rates, facilities and perceived quality which equate to the commonly used 1- to 5-star system. These categories serve only to compare relative standards within any given area.