1UpTravel


 

You are here1Up Travel > Geography and Facts > Sweden


ADVERTISEMENT

Country

 At a Glance

  Introduction

  Topography

  History-Culture

  Local Life

  Local Cuisine

  Local Holidays

  Festivals

  Embassies

  Administration

  Newstand


 Worth a Visit !!

  Cities

  Sight Seeing

  Maps

  Shopping

  Eating Out

  Recreation

  Essentials

  Travel Links


 Country Facts

  Introduction

  Geography

  People

  Government

  Economy

  Communications

  Transportation

  Military

  Transnational issues


Related

  Country Guide
  Detailed Maps
  Hotel Database
  Country Flag
  More Flags
  Geography
  Travel Warning



1UpTravel - Geography Info and Facts of Countries : . - Sweden


Sweden Geography and Facts

Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway

Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total: 449,964 sq km
land: 410,934 sq km
water: 39,030 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:
total: 2,205 km
border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km

Coastline: 3,218 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines
territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)

Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north

Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower

Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 1%
forests and woodland: 68%
other: 24% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

Environment - current issues: acid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas


Geography

Sweden, country in northern Europe, occupying the eastern portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Sweden has a total area of 449,964 sq km (173,732 sq mi). Stockholm is the capital and largest city.

Sweden's topography consists of high mountains in the northwest, bounded on the east by a plateau that slopes down to lowlands and plains in the east and south. Many rivers flow southeast from the mountains to the Gulf of Bothnia, providing abundant waterpower.

One-seventh of Sweden is above the Arctic Circle, where daylight is continuous for about two months in the summer and darkness is continuous for about two months in the winter.

Despite the northern latitude, warm ocean winds keep temperatures moderate, except in the north, where mountains block the moderating influence. The principal natural resources are the forests, which cover about two-thirds of the country. Most of Sweden's cultivated land is in the south.

Sweden has large deposits of iron and other minerals and an estimated 15 percent of the world's uranium deposits. Alpine and arctic vegetation prevail in the north and at higher altitudes.


Climate

The climate is comparatively moderate, considering that Sweden is located at a very northern latitude. The principal moderating influences are the Gulf Stream and the prevailing westerly winds, which blow in from the relatively warm North Atlantic Ocean.

In winter these influences are offset by cold air masses that sweep in from the east. The climate of northern Sweden is considerably more severe than that of the south primarily because it has higher altitudes and because the mountains cut off the moderating marine influence.

The average temperature in February, the coldest month, is below freezing throughout Sweden, with an average temperature range in Stockholm of -5° to -1°C (22° to 30°F), in Göteborg of -4° to 1°C (25° to 34°F), and in Piteĺ, in the northern part of the country, of -14° to -6°C (6° to 22°F).

In July, the warmest month, the average temperature range is 14° to 22°C (57° to 71°F) in Stockholm, 14° to 21°C (57° to 70°F) in Göteborg, and 12° to 21°C (53° to 69° F) in Piteĺ.

The proportion of daylight hours increases in the summer and decreases in the winter as the latitude becomes more northerly. In the one-seventh of Sweden above the Arctic Circle, daylight is continuous for about two months in the summer, and continuous darkness occurs for about two months in the winter.


Background:

Having long lost its military prowess of the 17th century, Sweden has evolved into a prosperous and peaceful constitutional monarchy with a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements.

As the 20th century comes to an end, this long successful formula is being undermined by high unemployment; the rising cost of a "cradle to the grave" welfare state; the decline of Sweden's competitive position in world markets; and indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe.

A member of the European Union, Sweden chose not to participate in the introduction of the euro on 1 January 1999.


Sweden is a prosperous industrial nation in northern Europe. The people of Sweden have developed highly prosperous industries based on their country's three most important natural resources--timber, which makes up about a fifth of the country's exports, a very high grade iron ore, and water power.



Geography of Countries

Click here for Geography of other Countries

 





Make 1Up Travel your HomepageSend this Page to a FriendGo to Top of PagePrint this PageAdd 1Up Travel to your Favorites


CHANNELS

Compare Country InfoHotel DirectoryGeographyFlagsWorld MapsTravel WarningsNational Parks

DESTINATIONS

AsiaAfricaCaribbeanMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaCentral AmericaOceania PacificEuropePolar Regions

PHOTO SPECIAL

DestinationsMonumentsAncient WondersModern Wonders Natural Wonders

UTILITIES

World TimeISD CodesTravel Links Link Exchange

 



Disclaimer: Although we've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.

Copyright © 1Up Travel All Rights Reserved.
Go Up

Privacy Policy