Sweden

I

Introduction

Sweden, officially Konungariket Sverige (Kingdom of Sweden), constitutional monarchy in northern Europe, occupying the eastern portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is bordered on the north and west by Norway, on the north-east by Finland, on the east by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea, and on the south-west by further bodies of water: the Öresund (Øresund), the Kattegat, and the Skagerrak. Sweden includes the islands of Gotland and Öland in the Baltic Sea. The total area of Sweden is 449,964 sq km (173,732 sq mi). It is the fourth-largest country in Europe. Stockholm is the country’s capital and largest city.

II

Land and Resources

The extreme distance from north to south in Sweden is about 1,575 km (980 mi), and from east to west about 500 km (310 mi). The coastline totals about 7,565 km (4,700 mi) in length. Sweden may be divided into six topographical regions. In the north-western section are extensions of the Kjölen Mountains, which form part of the boundary with Norway. The highest point in the range, and the highest point in Sweden, is atop Mount Kebnekaise 2,111 m (6,926 ft). To the east of the mountains is a long plateau, which slopes east to a coastal plain bordering the Gulf of Bothnia. An upland region, known as the Småland highlands, is located south of the lowland. The plains of Skåne occupy the south-eastern tip of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The lowest elevation point is sea level along the coast.

Sweden is part of the Fennoscandian Shield, which extends over part of northern Europe. The rocks, except those in the north-west, are primarily ancient Precambrian granites, schists, and gneisses. Younger metamorphic rocks are characteristic of the northern part of the country. Sedimentary rocks are found in the southern Skåne plains and in the islands of Gotland and Öland.

The present topography of Sweden was formed largely during the Quaternary Ice Ages by a continental ice sheet, which receded about 8,000 years ago. The mountains, except for several of the highest peaks, were rounded by glaciation. The ice sheet scraped out deep valleys and created numerous glacial lakes. Ridges of rock, gravel, sand, and clay were deposited in many places by the retreating ice. Glacial seas left fertile marine clay soils in the south and in the central lake area. Some permanent glacier fields still remain in the high mountain regions.

A

Rivers and Lakes

The mountains of northern Sweden are the source of many rivers, which flow south-east to the Gulf of Bothnia. These rivers, which often have elongated lakes and a number of falls and rapids, constitute a valuable source of hydroelectric power. The principal rivers are the Ångermanälven, Dalälven, Klarälven, Lake Ume (Ume älv), and Lake Torne (Torne älv). In south-central Sweden is a lowland area with many lakes, including the largest lakes in the country, Lake Vänern and Lake Vättern.

B

Climate

The climate is comparatively temperate, considering that Sweden is located at such a 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 influences. Snow lasts for four to seven months.

The average temperature in February, the coldest month, is below 0° C (32° F) throughout Sweden, with temperatures ranging from -3° C (27° F) in Stockholm to -1° C (30° F) in Göteborg and -11.7° C (11° F) in Haparanda in the northern part of the country. In July, the warmest month, the average temperatures are 17° C (63° F) in Göteborg, 18° C (64° F) in Stockholm, and 15° C (59° F) in Haparanda.

The proportion of daylight hours increases in the summer and decreases in the winter. In the part of Sweden above the Arctic Circle, daylight is continuous for some two months in the summer and continuous darkness occurs for some two months in the winter.

The average annual precipitation in Sweden is about 535 mm (21 in). In Stockholm, average precipitation is 550 mm (22 in) and in Göteborg, 670 mm (26 in). Precipitation is heaviest in the south-west and in the mountains along the Norwegian border. Rain falls mainly in the late summer; heavy snows are common in central and northern Sweden.