A land of lakes and forests, and home of the Vikings, Sweden is the biggest country in Scandinavia. It attracts around 6m visitors a year. Roughly three times the size of Britain, its population is just 8.8m. A relatively recent member of the EU, Sweden has yet to commit to the euro. Outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing and iceskating are very popular. Other attractions include: Stockholm's nightlife, 13th century old quarter and museums; Vadstena's castle and abbey; Liseberg amusement park and the beautiful harbour at Gothenburg; the ruins and lighthouses of the island of Oland. Not to be forgotten is the ancient Viking capital, Visby, on the southern island of Gotland - home to film-maker Ingmar Bergman. The south of Sweden is now more accessible from the rest of Europe thanks to the Oresund bridge, opened in 2000, which links it with Denmark. But the far north, with the aurora borealis, moose and reindeer are also worth laying eyes on.
Best sites
· Visit Sweden Events listings and basic destination information from Swedish Tourism.
· Smorgasbord In-depth coverage and good links to all the main regions and towns, nature, sports and culture.
· Abba Read the lyrics to the songs by Sweden's most famous export.
· Greta Garbo Tribute Want to be left alone?
· Virtual Sweden Delve into the minds of Swedish youth, and find links to topics ranging from environment to welfare at Virtual Sweden.
· Nobel e-Museum Founded in 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has become arguably the most important international award.
· Exotic Sweden Not as fruity as it sounds, but a bizarre collection of photo-galleries depicting Swedish cultural life - includes Cruising, Elkhunting and Crayfish Parties.
· The CIA World Factbook
· The Foreign Office travel advice
If you only do three things ...
Meander through the old town on the magical island city of Stockholm, explore Gotland and walk the waterfront in Gothenburg.
News and current affairs
Sweden's online publications from the world news guide.
Language
Swedish. Sami is spoken by the small indigenous population of Samis, who live mainly in the far north. English is also very widely (and convincingly) spoken.
Climate
May to July are the warmest months, and the midnight sun is visible above the arctic circle around this time. Stockholm can reach the low to mid 20s in summer, but for much of the year it ranges from 5-15C. In the north, winter-like conditions can prevail even in summer. Coastal cities can get iced up in the depths of winter and temperatures can plunge, though on the whole the weather is relatively mild, tempered by warm Gulf Stream currents.
Health
Excellent standard of healthcare; no vaccinations needed.
Food
The Swedes eat a lot of fish, usually fried, poached or pickled, while potatoes are the mainstay vegetable. Herring is ubiquitous, often served pickled with onions and mustard, but sometimes fermented (surstromming). Home of the smorgasbord - traditionally 120 hot and cold dishes - the Swedish version will most likely include salmon, herring, meatballs, salads, pies, boiled eggs, bread and fried potatoes; from all this vegetarians should find enough to keep them happy. Pea soup with pork, reindeer or elk meat, cabbage rolls and pancakes served with a yellow alcoholic punch are also typical. Like the rest of Scandinavia, alcohol is extremely expensive.
Currency
£1 buys approx. 13 Swedish krona (SEK).
Events
February Jokkmokk Sami Winter Fair; the indigenous people of northern Sweden celebrate their unique lifestyle with singing, reindeer races and market stalls. April 30 Walpurgis Night (Night of the Witches); bonfires and fireworks to celebrate the coming of spring. Midsummer's Eve Dancing around the maypole and drinking into the small hours. August Stockholm: Vatten Festival; Huge water festival with bands, fireworks and partying. Timra: Surstromming Festival; lovers of foul-smelling, fermented herring gather together to dance, drink and eat. December 13 Lucia Festival; processions, singing and drinking in lead-up to Christmas.
• More details at What's on when
What to buy
Homewares, furniture, crystal (eg Kosta Boda, Orrefors), designer hand-blown glass, brassware, aquavit.
Embassies and visas
UK: Embassy of Sweden 11 Montagu Place, London W1H 2AL (020 7917 6400).
Sweden: British Embassy, Skarpögatan 6-8, Box 27819, 115 93 Stockholm (46 8 671 3000). Consulates around the country.
Visa requirements: Citizens of the UK, the US and European countries do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Other nationalities, check for details at the Swedish Embassy website.
Time zone
GMT +1. Daylight saving time (GMT +2) from late March to late October.
Getting there
Most international flights land at Arlanda, just north of Stockholm. Scandinavian Airlines (0845 607 2772) has daily direct flights from most European capitals. Overland travel by bus, train and car is possible to Finland and Norway and ferries create easy links to Estonia, Germany, Denmark, Poland. From the UK DFDS Seaways ferries travel from Newcastle to Gothenburg, via Kristiansand in Norway. A bridge opened in July 2000 which allows car or train travel from Malmo, in southern Sweden, to Copenhagen.
Related literature
Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren Title book in this series of popular Swedish children's books about a nine-year-old girl who can do exactly what she likes. Also available in English.
The Emigrants, Vilhelm Moberg Follows a group of Swedes starting a new life in America in the 19th century.
Marianne Fredriksson Contemporary tale of Swedish women, set in Stockholm.
