Sweden is the largest Scandinavian country in Northern Europe with about 9 million inhabitants. It borders Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast. In the east, the country is bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia, and in the southwest by the straits of Kattegat and Skagerrak, opposite which lies Denmark. The two largest islands of Sweden are Gotland and Öland. The Åland Islands, which belong to Finland, can also be included in the Swedish cultural sphere.

The country has been a member state of the European Union since 1995.

Best time to travel: The most pleasant time to travel are the summer months from June to September, for winter sports enthusiasts the time from January to March is suitable.

Official language: Swedish

Currency: Swedish krona

Time difference: CET and CEST

Provincial capital: Stockholm

Highlights:

Stockholm – the capital, which is spread over 14 islands.
Gothenburg – the second largest city on the west coast, mouth of the river Göta älv
Malmö – located in the south, opposite Denmark’s capital Copenhagen, on the Öresund Sound