Geography

Sweden is one of Europe's largest countries. With an area of 449,964 square kilometers is about Sweden eleven times larger than the Netherlands. From north to south, the country is 1574 kilometers long, the largest width is 500 kilometers. In the western borders Sweden to Norway, in northern Finland. The border with Norway is 1643 kilometers long, with Finland 536 kilometers. In the southwest borders Sweden to the Skagerrak and Kattegat in the east to the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. To the east lie the islands of Öland and Gotland. The coastline is 2,500 kilometers long, including bays even 7500 kilometers.

For historical reasons, Sweden to participate in three areas: South, Central and northern Sweden. South Götaland Sweden or the closest populated area. Central Svealand or Sweden is the historic heart of Sweden. Northern Sweden and Norrland covers the largest part of Sweden and is also the least densely populated. In the inhospitable part of Norrland attend flaps with their reindeer herds. The mineral wealth of this part, however, an important area for the industry.

Sweden has many lakes, some of which are among the largest in Europe (such as Vännern or Vättern and Mälaren). For the east coast are countless rocky islets (shaving), partially covered, some are completely bald. Shaving area (Archiapelago) is a popular holiday resort. The predominantly flat southern coast has a few places sandy beaches. The total number of Swedish islands is estimated at 150,000.

A long mountain chain in the northwest stretches along the border with Norway. This chain is not high, averaging 1200 meters. The highest peak is 2123 meters high Kebnekajse, west of Kiruna, the Äpartjåkko would be 27 meters higher. Typical for the country, the long hill ridges, some of which are adjacent to each other, most are covered with forests. In total, 58 per cent of the Swedish soil covered with forests. From the mountains is the landscape of the Norwegian-Swedish border to the Baltic Sea off. In this direction also flows than most rivers. Southern Sweden is gently sloping and covered with forests, meadows and fields. The sloping central Sweden has forests and lakes, but less land. The rugged northern Sweden, mountains, swamps and vast forests.
 

Climate

Most of Sweden has a continental climate with cold winters and pleasant warm summers. However, there are major differences, as Sweden ranging from 55 to 69 degrees north latitude. The southern part of the country has a maritime climate, with generally mild and humid weather. Under the influence of the warm Gulf Stream, which runs along the west coast, it is relatively warmer than elsewhere on the same latitude. The summer is just as hot as in Western Europe. Thanks to the Gulf, the average summer temperature is four degrees higher than in the Netherlands. Central Sweden has a continental climate with cold winters and hot, dry summers. The ports in the Gulf of Bothnia freeze in the often harsh winters up. The summer months (June-August) are quite hot, Stockholm in the summer average daily temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. Approximately one seventh of Sweden lies north of the Arctic Circle. This leads together with the mountainous location that winter temperature in the north is low. The winter begins in late September and the temperature can drop to -40 degrees Celsius, but because the air is dry and the wind often missing is the cold but tolerable. In the summer the sun (almost) and are not subject to temperatures very comfortable heights.