SWEEDEN

Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, along with vast boreal forests and glaciated mountains. Its principal cities, eastern capital Stockholm and southwestern Gothenburg and Malmo, are all coastal. Stockholm is built on 14 islands. It has more than 50 bridges, as well as the medieval old town, Gamla Stan, royal palaces and museums such as open-air Skansen. The capital - Stockholm - is built on water and is a pleasurable mixture of trendy design and charming old royal history. A stroll through the old town and a boat trip on the canals would be a good place to start, followed maybe by a visit to the ABBA museum and a taste of the local gravlax (marinated salmon). The coast of Sweden offers both romantic archipelagos and long white beaches, idyllic villages, and fishing huts, you can even cruise all the way across the country along the Gota Canal. The countryside varies from forests and lakes to mountains further up north, one might encounter an elk, visit a reindeer farm or experience the cold beauty of the fabulous ice hotel in Jukkasjarvi.

Capital: Stockholm
Currency: Swedish krona
Dialing code: +46
Capital and largest city: Stockholm; 59^o21'N 18^o4'E /59.350^oN 18.067^oE