| Sweden: |
In geographical terms, Sweden is easily the biggest of the
Scandinavian countries - a massive 450,000 square kilometres, larger than
California and twice as big as Britain - although its population numbers barely
nine million. Essentially one vast coniferous forest punctuated by some 100,000
crystal-clear lakes, Sweden reposes contentedly within an endless natural
beauty. Remote, austere, cold - all these generalizations may be partly true,
but Sweden is also friendly and efficient and, as it boasts no single
concentration of sights (other than in Stockholm), you're as likely to fetch up
on a sunny Baltic beach as camp in the forest or hike through the national
parks of Swedish Lapland.
One aspect of the country most likely to impinge on the cluttered eye of
Europeans is the sense of space. Away from the relatively densely populated
south, it's easy to travel for miles without seeing a soul, and taking in these
vast, unpopulated stretches in a limited time can be exhausting and
unrewarding. Better, on a short trip, to delve into one or two regions and
experience the natural beauty that pervades and shapes the Swedes' attitude to
life: once you've broken through the oft-quoted reserve of the people there's a
definite emotive feel to the country. And initial contact is easy, as almost
everyone speaks English. |
| Find out more information on Sweden by
clicking on the following links: |
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Sweden tourism: http://www.visit-sweden.com
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