Sweden
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both world wars. Sweden’s long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 and 2009 by the global economic downturns, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.
🇸🇪 Sweden Tourism Information…
🇸🇪 The Best of Sweden…
Götaland
Blekinge
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Bohuslän
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Dalsland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Gotland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Halland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Öland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Östergötland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Öland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Scania
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Smäland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Västergötland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Norrland
Gävleborg
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Jämtland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Norrbotten
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Västerbotten
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Västernorrland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Svealand
Dalarna
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Närke
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Örebro
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Södermanland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Stockholm
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Stockholm – For more detailed information go to our ➾ Stockholm web page.
Uppsala
- Cities:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Värmland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Västmanland
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Here is a list of some of the most interesting and visited places. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit. |
Goteborg Archipelago Haga Gotland Icehotel-Jukkasjärv Kosterhavet Nat. Park Millesgarden-Lidingo Lund Malmö Marstrand Island Skåne Stockholm The Archipelago Drottningholm Palace Gamla Stan Kungliga Slottet Skansen Museum Stadshuset Vasa Museum Uppsala Visby Ystad |
🇸🇪 Sweden Country Information…
Capital:
Stockholm
Largest City:
Stockholm
Government:
Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy
Currency:
Swedish Krona (SEK)
Area:
Total: 450,295 km2 water: 39,960 km2 land: 410,335 km2 ranked 57th
Climate:
Temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Population:
9,880,604 (July 2016 est.) ranked 90th
Language:
Swedish (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Ethnic Groups:
Indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
Religion:
Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%
Electricity:
230V, 50Hz (European plug C, F,)
Telephone Code:
+46
Local Emergency Phone Number:
112
Internet TLD:
.se
Time Zone:
CET (UTC+1) Summer (UTC+2) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Road Driving Side:
Right
Anthem:
Du gamla, Du fria “Thou ancient, thou free”
Motto:
För Sverige – i tiden “For Sweden – With the Times”
Monarch:
King Carl XVI Gustaf
Prime Minister:
Stefan Löfven
🇸🇪 Holidays and Observances in Sweden in 2021
Date | Name | Type | |
---|---|---|---|
Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | Public holiday |
Jan 5 | Tuesday | Twelfth Night | De facto half holiday |
Jan 6 | Wednesday | Epiphany | Public holiday |
Feb 14 | Sunday | Valentine’s Day | Observance |
Mar 20 | Saturday | March Equinox | Season |
Mar 28 | Sunday | Daylight Saving Time starts | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time |
Apr 2 | Friday | Good Friday | Public holiday |
Apr 3 | Saturday | Holy Saturday | De facto holiday |
Apr 4 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Public holiday |
Apr 5 | Monday | Easter Monday | Public holiday |
Apr 30 | Friday | Walpurgis Night | De facto half holiday |
May 1 | Saturday | May 1st | Public holiday |
May 13 | Thursday | Ascension Day | Public holiday |
May 22 | Saturday | Whit Saturday | De facto holiday |
May 23 | Sunday | Whit Sunday | Public holiday |
May 30 | Sunday | Mother’s Day | Observance |
Jun 6 | Sunday | National day | Public holiday |
Jun 21 | Monday | June Solstice | Season |
Jun 25 | Friday | Midsummer Eve | De facto and Bank holiday |
Jun 26 | Saturday | Midsummer Day | Public holiday |
Sep 22 | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season |
Oct 31 | Sunday | Daylight Saving Time ends | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time |
Nov 5 | Friday | All Saints’ Eve | De facto half holiday |
Nov 6 | Saturday | All Saints’ Day | Public holiday |
Nov 14 | Sunday | Father’s Day | Observance |
Nov 28 | Sunday | First Advent Sunday | Observance, Christian |
Dec 5 | Sunday | Second Advent Sunday | Observance, Christian |
Dec 12 | Sunday | Third Advent Sunday | Observance, Christian |
Dec 19 | Sunday | Fourth Advent Sunday | Observance, Christian |
Dec 21 | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season |
Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Eve | De facto holiday |
Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day | Public holiday |
Dec 26 | Sunday | Boxing Day | Public holiday |
Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Eve | De facto and Bank holiday |
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Imports:
$615.9 billion (2017 est.)
partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017)