Sweden Geography: A Comprehensive Overview of the Scandinavian Country

Geography of Sweden Browse the article Geography of Sweden

Introduction to Geography of Sweden

Sweden, or Kingdom of Sweden, a country of northern Europe. Its Swedish name is Sverige. Sweden is a long, narrow country occupying the eastern two-thirds of the Scandinavian Peninsula and lying at about the same latitude as Alaska. On the west, Sweden shares a long boundary with Norway; on the northeast is a much shorter border with Finland. Sweden's eastern shores face the Baltic Sea and its northern arm, the Gulf of Bothnia. On the southwest are the Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Öresund straits, beyond which lies Denmark.

The largest of the Scandinavian countries in area, Sweden is also the most populous. It is a major manufacturing and trading nation, and its people, well educated, healthy, and energetic, enjoy one of the world's highest standards of living. They take part in a comprehensive social welfare system that seeks to protect every citizen from poverty.

Facts in brief about SwedenCapital: Stockholm.Official language: Swedish.Official name: Konungariket Sverige (Kingdom of Sweden).Area: 173,732 mi2 (449,964 km2). Greatest distances—north-south, 977 mi (1,572 km); east-west, 310 mi (499 km). Coastline—4,700 mi (7,564 km).Elevation: Highest—Mount Kebnekaise, 6,926 ft (2,111 m) above sea level. Lowest—sea level along the coast.Population: Current estimate—9,179,000; density, 53 per mi2 (20 per km2); distribution, 84 percent urban, 16 percent rural. 2005 official government estimate—9,028,944.Chief products: Agriculture—barley, beef cattle, dairy products, hogs, oats, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat. Forestry—beech, oak, pine, spruce. Manufacturing—agricultural machinery, aircraft, automobiles, ball bearings, diesel motors, electrical equipment, explosives, pharmaceuticals, plastics, precision tools, safety matches, ships, stainless steel goods, steel, telephones. Mining—copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver.National anthem: "Du gamla, du fria, du fjallhoga nord" ("Thou Ancient, Thou Free, Thou Mountain-Crowned North").Flag and coat of arms: Sweden's flag has a yellow cross on a blue background. The colors come from the coat of arms. The flag, first used in the mid-1400's, was made official in 1663. The coat of arms features an ornate crown above a shield with three gold crowns that were added by King Albert in 1364. It was made official in 1908.National holiday: Flag Day, June 6.Money: Basic unit—Swedish krona. One hundred ore equal one krona.

Physical Geography

Sweden is a country in northern Europe.

Unlike its neighbors—mountainous Norway and flat, lake-dotted Finland—Sweden has considerable diversity in its landscapes. There are fertile farmlands, rolling woodlands, and barren mountain crags. There are also noticeable differences in climate and vegetation from one region to another.

Land

Sweden can be divided into three major physical regions: Norrland, Svealand, and Götaland.

Norrland consists of the northern two-thirds of the country. It is basically a tilted plateau sloping downward gradually toward the east. Marking the western edge of this plateau are rugged mountains, part of the long Kjölen range that extends along the Sweden-Norway border. The mountains reach their maximum height of about 6,900 feet (2,100 m) at Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest peak. East of the mountains, deep river valleys cut the plateau. Extreme northern Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle, is part of Lapland, an area that also includes parts of Norway, Finland, and Russia.

Svealand lies between the western coast and the Baltic Sea, and includes most of the area between Lakes Siljan and Vättern. Glaciers of the last Ice Age did much to shape this region, carving great lake beds and leaving ridges called eskers and moraines. Besides containing the country's largest lakes—Vänern and Vättern—the region is the site of many of Sweden's larger cities and manufacturing industries.

Götaland is a rocky upland bordered on its seaward sides by low, almost flat plains. The upland area, known as Småland, rises to its greatest elevation, about 1,200 feet (365 m), just south of Lake Vättern. In the far south is the fertile plain of Skäne, Sweden's most productive farm area. Offshore in the Baltic Sea are the largest of the country's many islands, Gotland and Öland.

Water

Sweden is rich in rivers and lakes. Dozens of swift rivers pour out of the northern mountains, widening as they reach the plateau to form long glacially carved lakes. Development of the vast power potential of these northern rivers was vital to Sweden's growth as a manufacturing nation. The Lule, Skellefte, Ume, and Ångerman rivers each have several large hydroelectric installations

The Svealand region of Sweden is notable more for its lakes than for its rivers. Lakes Vänern and Vättern, each more than 90 miles (145 km) in length, are among the largest lakes in Europe. Almost as large is Lake Mälaren, which is open to the Baltic Sea near Stockholm.

Climate

Because it is close to the comparatively warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Sweden has a milder climate than most areas this far north. The ocean's influence is especially noticeable in the south, where the climate somewhat resembles that of New England. Southern summers are moderately warm, with daytime temperatures reaching between 70° and 80° F. (21° and 27° C.). Winters in the south are damp and fairly cold, with temperatures below freezing much of the time.

The north, partially blocked from the warm ocean winds by mountains, has a more severe climate than the south. Summers are short and quite cool; winters are long and cold, with average temperatures ranging from 5° to 20° F. (-15° to -7° C.). North of the Arctic Circle, a period of winter darkness adds to the harshness of the climate. The same area in summer has several weeks when the sun is always above the horizon, helping to raise temperatures somewhat.

Precipitation is moderate almost everywhere. The seasonal distribution is fairly even, although slightly greater amounts usually are received in summer. The southwestern coast and the mountains average about 30 inches (760 mm) yearly. Elsewhere, totals range from 25 inches (640 mm) in the southeast to 15 inches (380 mm) in Lapland. Winter snow is frequent, but only in the north does it fall in large amounts.

Vegetation

Forests occupy more than half the land and rank as one of Sweden's richest resources. Most of the north is covered by dense stands of pine, spruce, and birch trees. In Lapland, the forests thin and finally give way to scrub growth and tundra vegetation. In the river valleys of the north grow deciduous trees such as alder and aspen.

Southern Sweden's forests are somewhat less extensive than those of the north. Centuries of settlement have led to the clearing of many areas for crops and pastures. Predominant species of trees in the south include beech, oak, and elm.

Economy

In the mid-19th century the Swedish economy was largely based on agriculture, and Sweden was one of the poorest countries in Europe. Beginning in the 1870's, the country underwent rapid industrialization, which was made possible by Sweden's abundance of two industrially important natural resources, iron ore and timber. Today Sweden is a major manufacturing nation. Its farmers, although using only a tenth of the country's land, manage to provide most of the food supply.

Few nations have reached the economic level enjoyed in Sweden. Personal incomes and the standard of living are among the highest in the world. Poverty and slums are virtually nonexistent.

Sweden has a mixed economy, with elements of both socialism and the private-enterprise system. Most companies are privately owned. The government, however, has an important role in regulating business and industrial activity. In addition, railways, postal and telecommunications services, and most electric utilities are state-owned. Government policies are designed mainly to insure steady economic growth and to provide for the security of every citizen through an extensive social welfare system.

Economic production in SwedenEconomic activities% of GDP producedNumber of workers% of all workersCommunity, government, & personal services 271,615,00038Finance, insurance, real estate, & business services 24632,00015Manufacturing 20679,00016Trade, restaurants, & hotels 12653,00016Transportation & communication 7265,0006Construction 4242,0006Utilities 327,0001Agriculture, forestry, & fishing 290,0002Mining 6,000Total 1004,209,000100Manufacturing

As have many other older industrialized nations, Sweden has been faced with the task of modernizing many of its manufacturing facilities and techniques. Since the mid-1970's, the government has become increasingly involved in revitalizing older manufacturing enterprises. Shipbuilding and the making of steel and textiles are among the large industries with significant levels of government involvement.

The engineering industries are of major importance. They turn out a vast array of products, including automobiles, trucks, aircraft, electrical and communications equipment, and agricultural, mining, and construction machinery. Products such as these account for nearly half of Sweden's exports.

The production of chemicals and chemical products—including pharmaceuticals, explosives, petrochemicals, and fertilizers—is also important.

Sweden's vast forest resources provide the basis for a large wood-processing industry. Forest products such as paper, pulp, and timber account for about one-fifth of Sweden's exports.

Sweden's iron and steel industry, once a mainstay of the economy, has declined in importance since the mid-1970's. The production of raw steel has in large part given way to the production of high-quality finished steel.

Until the late 1970's, shipbuilding was one of Sweden's principal industries, and Swedish-built ships accounted for about a tenth of the world fleet. For many years the Swedish shipbuilding industry concentrated mainly on the production of bulk carriers such as tankers. Today Swedish shipyards have diversified and produce a variety of vessels and equipment, including ferries, offshore oil platforms, and refrigerated ships.

Traditional Swedish crafts such as glass-making, weaving, and woodworking are still carried on. Ceramic articles and furniture are among the many other finely crafted items for which Sweden is noted.

Mining

Sweden has extensive deposits of iron ore. Most of it comes from Lapland, in the far north. Lapland's deposits, centered at the towns of Kiruna and Gällivare, are considered to be among the world's largest iron ore reserves. Europe's single largest deposit of lead ore is located near Skellefteå, in the north.

Other ores and minerals occur in relatively small quantities. Copper and zinc are mined in the north. Other metals produced include silver, gold, and uranium. Sweden has little coal or petroleum and must rely on imports for these fuels.

Agriculture

Only about one-tenth of Sweden is used for agriculture. The heaviest concentration of farming is in the southern third, where temperatures and rainfall are favorable. Careful land management, combined with the use of fertilizers and crop rotation, results in high yields. Nearly all farms are privately owned. Many have sizable stands of timber that provide additional income.

The principal crops include wheat, oats, barley, rye, sugar beets, and potatoes. Only in the rich plains of the far south is the emphasis strongly on cultivated crops. Here, the land is planted chiefly in wheat and sugar beets. Hogs are raised in the south as well. Elsewhere, emphasis is on the raising of cattle and feed crops such as oats and clover. About three-fourths of all farm income is from the sale of livestock and dairy products.

Forestry

Besides providing much lumber, Sweden's extensive forests furnish raw material for the thriving pulp and paper industry. Particularly important are the slow-growing but valuable pine and spruce trees of the north. Timber cutting in Sweden has become highly mechanized, with wide use of tree harvesters, power saws, and specialized log-handling equipment. Large trucks haul most of the timber directly to the mills, although the traditional method of floating logs downstream is still used in places.

About half of the forested land is owned privately, mostly by farmers. The rest is divided between corporations and the government. Strict conservation programs are carried on, and both the government and private interests conduct research to improve both the quality and the quantity of Sweden's timber.

Other Activities

A small but modern fishing industry is centered on Sweden's southwest coast. Fishing is done mostly in the waters of the Baltic, the Skagerrak, and the Kattegat, and the catch is made up largely of cod, herring, and mackerel. Fishermen market their catch both at home and in nearby foreign ports.

Tourism is also important to Sweden's economy, bringing considerable income to the country.

Transportation and Trade

Sweden has modern, well-maintained networks of roads and railways. A system of paved, multilane highways connects the cities of central and southern Sweden; secondary roads reach smaller communities.

Swedish railways are owned by the government. Like roads, they are mostly in the southern half of the country. Fast, modern passenger trains link Stockholm with Göteborg and most other cities. Many lines are electrified, including the route reaching Lapland. An extension of this line carries iron ore over the mountains to Narvik, Norway.

Sweden cooperates with Norway and Denmark in operating the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), a major international carrier. Domestic service is provided to Sweden's larger cities and towns by several airlines. Stockholm has the main international airport; other important terminals are at Göteborg and Malmö.

Ocean shipping is centered at three major ports. Göteborg is the principal port; Stockholm and Hälsingborg handle trade primarily with Baltic and other European nations. Both Stockholm and Göteborg have access to the interior through lakes, rivers, and canals. Winter ice, however, closes these interior routes, as well as most coastal ports north of Stockholm.

Sweden is highly dependent on foreign trade. Much of the trade is with other European nations, especially Germany, Great Britain, Norway, and Denmark. The United States and Japan are also important trading partners. Sweden's principal exports are pulp and paper, machinery, chemicals, and transportation equipment. Imports include fuels, especially petroleum; machinery; and food, particularly fruits and vegetables.

The People

Sweden, largest and most populous of the Scandinavian countries, is also the most homogeneous—in ethnic composition, language, and religion. Most of its people are native Swedes, Scandinavians closely related to the Danes and the Norwegians. There are small minorities of Finns and Lapps. In recent years there has been some immigration from other European countries.

Language and Religion

Swedish, the official language, belongs to the Nordic branch of Germanic languages. It is closely related to Norwegian and Danish. English is taught in schools as a second language.

The Church of Sweden (Evangelical Lutheran), to which the vast majority of Swedes belong, is the established state church, but the constitution guarantees religious freedom. Other denominations include the Swedish Mission Covenant, the Pentecostal Movement, the Salvation Army, and the Baptist, Methodist, and Roman Catholic churches.

Education

There is almost no illiteracy in Sweden. Its educational system was reformed in the mid-20th century to provide equal opportunity for all students. Education is free and compulsory from age 7 to 16. Students attend nine-year comprehensive schools designed to provide basic academic training. Secondary schools provide two, three-, and four-year programs, chosen by the students according to their goals of study. Both college-preparatory and vocational courses are offered. Most purely vocational programs require only two years.

All universities are supported by the government. The oldest is Uppsala University (founded in 1477); the largest is Stockholm University. There are also schools for such areas as medicine, dentistry, technology, commerce, agriculture, and social work. Extensive facilities are available for adult education.

Sports and Recreation

Sports and outdoor recreational activities are extremely popular with the Swedish people, who give great attention to physical fitness. Skiing (both Nordic and Alpine), tennis, swimming, hiking, and sailing are favorite outdoor activities. The leading spectator sport is soccer, played in summer; ice hockey is popular in winter. Many Swedish athletes have gained international recognition, especially in tennis.

Native Swedish sports are bandy, which is similar to hockey; varpa, which resembles discus throwing and horseshoe pitching; and orienteering, a kind of zigzag cross-country run using map and compass. ( )

Of all of Sweden's festivals and holidays, Christmas is the most elaborately celebrated, beginning on Lucia Day, December 13. ( In some parts of Sweden, colorful costumes are worn at Midsummer Eve and other festivals.

Culture

The Swedish cultural heritage dates back to before the Viking period. However, Sweden's arts and literature were little known outside of Scandinavia until modern times, exceptions being the religious writings of Saint Bridget and the philosophic works of Emanuel Swedenborg.

The poems of Esaias Tegnér, the plays of August Strindberg, and the novels of Selma Lagerlöf and Pär Lagerkvist have received worldwide acclaim.

Noted artists include painter Anders Zorn and sculptor Carl Milles. Swedish contributions to music have been greatest in the area of song, with such singers as Jenny Lind, Christine Nilsson, and Birgit Nilsson winning international fame. Sweden has been a leading producer of motion pictures since their inception. The works of Swedish director Ingmar Bergman are especially notable.

Stockholm is the cultural center of Sweden. Located there are the Royal Opera and its orchestra and ballet corps, the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the National Museum of Art, and the Swedish Academy, which promotes development of the Swedish language and literature and awards the annual Nobel Prize for literature. Other Nobel prizes (except Peace) are awarded by the Royal Academy of Sciences and the Royal Caroline Institute of Medicine, also in Stockholm.

There are government-supported municipal theaters and symphony orchestras in most of the large cities.

Government

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy. The constitution of 1972, which became effective in 1975, confirmed an already existing situation by formally limiting the king's position to that of a symbolic head of state with purely ceremonial powers and no influence on the affairs of the country.

Executive power rests with the cabinet, led by the prime minister and including the heads of the various government ministries and a number of ministers-without-portfolio. The prime minister is chosen from the majority party or coalition in parliament; the prime minister selects the other cabinet members.

Sweden has a one-house parliament, the Riksdag. Its 349 members are elected directly by all citizens 18 years of age and older to serve three-year terms.

The judicial branch of government includes the highest tribunal in the nation, the Supreme Court of Judicature; six courts of appeal; and numerous district courts, which handle both civil and criminal cases.

Local Government

For regional administration, Sweden is divided into 21 counties. Each has a governor, appointed by the national government, and an elected county assembly. Within each county are a number of municipalities, each having an elected assembly.

Defense

Military service is compulsory for men between the ages of 18 and 47, who usually serve a period of 7 to 15 months and then are subject to recall for brief periods. Military forces include the Royal Swedish army, navy, and air force. There is also a trained but ordinarily inactive force called the home guard, made up of volunteers.