About Sweden

Sweden is located in Scandinavia, North Europe. With just over nine million inhabitants in an area larger than California and nearly as large as France or Spain, Sweden has plenty of unspoilt nature. The Swedish countryside is full of green forests and beautiful lakes, a perfect place for outdoor activities like fishing, golfing, horse riding and bathing in the summer.

In the bigger cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö you find a rich nightlife bolstered by plentiful cultural and social happenings in addition to an abundance of first-class restaurants.

The country attracts visitors all year round, not only thanks to its diversity in landscape, but also its vital energy and contrast of lights, shades and seasons that offer new discoveries with every visit

During the hardest winter months, the northern parts of Sweden is known for its limited sunlight which, coupled with the northerly location, makes it one of the best places on earth to see the Northern Lights. October through April, when weather conditions are favourable, you can see the kaleidoscopic Aurora Borealis light up the dark winter sky, a spectacular phenomenon not to be missed. Sweden more than makes up for this lack of sunlight during the summer time; May through August provides long days with bright nights.

Population: Just over 9 million.
Capital: Stockholm.
Prime Minister: Mr. Fredrik Reinfeldt.
Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK), plural Kronor.
Language: Swedish (Second language is English).
Total area: 449,964 km2/ 173,731 sq.miles
Location: Sweden is located in Scandinavia,  North Europe, between Norway and Finland.
Form of Government: Sweden is a parliamentary democracy.

Getting around in Sweden

Flying
Several local airlines have regular flights to many of the bigger towns in all parts of Sweden.

Buses
Buses run between all cities all year round.
Buses can be few and far between so make sure you plan your bus trip thoroughly beforehand.

Driving
Driving around Sweden in a rented car or your own vehicle gives you greater flexibility than the bus system. All highways and bigger roads are fully surfaced. Many other roads are gravel surfaced, but should be fairly easy to drive, although they tend to slow the traveller down a bit. To get in-depth information about the roads in Sweden, go to the web page of the Swedish Road Administration (http://www.vagverket.se/).

Opening hours
Shops are usually open from 10:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, weekends 11:00-16:00. Opening hours of stores vary greatly between places though, especially in the countryside. Office hours are generally from 09:00 to 17:00 and opening hours of banks and post offices are generally from 10:00 to 15:00.

General prices
Water at bars, restaurants and cafés: Free, Milk, 1 litre: 9 SEK, Coca-Cola ½ litre: 12-17 SEK, Hot dog: 15-25 SEK, A loaf of bread: 20-30 SEK, ½ litre beer at a restaurant or bar: 40-70 SEK, ½ litre beer at liquor store: 15-20 SEK, Petrol 1 litre: 13-14 SEK, Entrance to nightclubs: 0-140 SEK