Capital: Stockholm

Sweden is bordered by Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, with a long Baltic coast to the east and south. Much of Sweden is forest, and there are thousands of lakes, large stretches of water between Gothenburg and the capital, Stockholm.

The land, as well as its people, has an air of reserved calm, and while best known for its automotive and musical exports – Volvo and Abba. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Stockholm, where dozens of museums deal with all imaginable aspects of the past, and medieval and Baroque edifices housing boutiques and cafes overlook the attractive harbor.

Language: Swedish. There are also Finnish-speaking minorities. English is taught from the age of nine.

Electricity: 230 volts, three-phase AC, 50Hz. Two-pin continental plugs are used.

Climate: In spite of its northern position, Sweden has a relatively mild climate, which varies greatly, to its length. The summers can be very hot but get shorter further north. The midnight sun can be seen between mid-May and mid-June above the Arctic Circle. Winters can be bitterly cold, especially in the north.