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Lesson 1 / 13

Sweden as a country

Geography, climate, nature and population

Sweden's position in Europe

Sweden is located in northern Europe on the Scandinavian peninsula. The country borders Norway in the west and north, Finland in the northeast, and the Öresund strait separates Sweden from Denmark in the south. In the east, Sweden borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia.

Sweden is the fifth largest country in Europe by area with a total area of ​​approximately 450,000 square kilometers. The country is oblong and stretches approximately 1,600 kilometers from north to south – about the same distance as from Stockholm to North Africa.

Three parts of the country: Norrland, Svealand and Götaland

Sweden is traditionally divided into three large parts of the country: Norrland in the north, Svealand in the middle and Götaland in the south. Each part of the country has its own character, nature and history.

Sweden is also divided into 21 counties and 25 provinces. The landscapes are historical divisions without a political function, but live on in the culture and identity.

Mountains and mountains

In the northwest, the mountain chain stretches along the border with Norway. Here is Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise, which reaches 2,097 meters above sea level. Fjällvärlden attracts hundreds of thousands of hikers and skiers every year.

Lakes and waterways

Sweden is a country rich in lakes with almost 100,000 lakes. The three largest are Vänern, Vättern and Mälaren. Lake Vänern is not only Sweden's but all of Scandinavia's largest lake, with an area of ​​5,650 square kilometers - roughly the same size as Blekinge and Skåne combined.

The rivers in Sweden mainly flow east and empty into the Baltic Sea or the Gulf of Bothnia. The northern rivers – Luleälven, Ångermanälven, Indalsälven and Dalälven – are important for hydropower production and supply large parts of the country with electricity.

Islands and coasts

Sweden has a coastline of approximately 3,200 kilometers and is surrounded by sea on three sides. There are approximately 250,000 islands in Sweden - more than in any other country in the world. Most are uninhabited rocks and skerries in the archipelago.

Forest and nature

Approximately 70 percent of Sweden's surface is covered by forest. Sweden is one of Europe's most forested countries. The forest is dominated by spruce and pine in the north and transitions to more deciduous forest in the south with beech and oak in Skåne.

Sweden has 30 national parks that protect unique nature – from the mountain world in Sarek and Abisko in the north to the beech forests in Söderåsen in the south. Nature conservation and biological diversity are important issues in Sweden.

Climate and seasons

Sweden has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, the climate varies greatly from north to south. In the south, winters are mild and summers are warm, while northern Sweden has cold winters with abundant snowfall and short but sometimes hot summers.

Population and cities

Sweden has approximately 10.5 million inhabitants. The country is sparsely populated in relation to its surface - most people live in the southern parts. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in cities and towns.

Life expectancy and health

Sweden is one of the healthiest countries in the world. The average life expectancy is high: women live on average to about 84 years and men to about 81 years. It depends on good healthcare, clean water, good food and healthy lifestyles.

Climate law and environmental work

In 2018, Sweden adopted a climate law with the ambitious goal that net emissions of greenhouse gases should be close to zero by 2045. Sweden also has a strong recycling culture – more than 99 percent of all household waste is recycled or used for energy.

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