[...]... Siljan LITHUANIA RUSS FED GREAT BRITAIN SWEDEN Sveg LATVIA DENMARK IRELAND E14 RUSSIA ESTONIA SWEDEN ệrnskửldsvik Skavsta Nykửping 0 miles 50 30 I N T R O D U C I N G S W E D E N 15 A PORTRAIT OF SWEDEN S wedes are passionate about nature and the outdoors, and justly so since their country contains some of Europes last surviving areas of wilderness As a nation, Sweden has built its wealth on its natural... crowned in 1818 southern Sweden, but the heaviest as Carl XIV Johan, King of Sweden snow fell in 1998, with 150 cm (5 ft) and Norway Carl XVI Gustaf came to accumulating on 45 December in the throne in 1973 and married the German Silvia Sommerlath Despite Gọvle in central Sweden doubt over the kings choice of a commoner for his bride, Swedes SPACE FOR ALL soon took Queen Silvia to their Sweden covers an area... dog sledding or large herds in the forests Norrland offers the first snow-mobiling, this region is and hills around the provinglimpse of Swedens wild one of the best places in cial capital, Sveg (see p261) Sweden to have a go and the Kungsleden Trail (see p2745) is Swedens longest hiking path at over 400 km (248 miles) long Arvidsjaur (see p273) is an excellent spot to get to grips with the history... AND POLITICS Sweden is both a parliamentary Lars Magnus Ericsson, setting Sweden on the path to democracy and a hereditary monarchy industrialization by founding Ericsson in 1876 As the head of state, the king has no country, the temperature in autumn political power, but he is considered and spring can vary by more than to be an important representative of 20 C (68 F) from one end to the Sweden to the... where Swedens rich folklore (see pp24041) is still alive today At Midsummer people don traditional dress and dance around the Maypole Nearby, the interesting Orsa Grửnklitt bear park (see p244) offers visitors a chance to come face to face with the king of the forest, as well as wolves, lynx and wolverine 12 I N T R O D U C I N G S W E D E N c Ar Putting Sweden on the Map C tic irc le The kingdom of Sweden. .. to the throne inhabitants Swedes have Swedens parliament, the plenty of space In the forested Riksdag, has 349 members areas, towns can be few and far and is Swedens legislative between Emblem of assembly Elections are held Towards the end of the 19th state every four years century and thanks largely to Since World War II, a balance has the coming of the railways, Sweden began to exploit her rich natural... fluent in English Berry- and mushroom-picking in rural areas, with permission under Swedens Right to Roam A SPORTING NATION Swedens abundance of clean, unpolluted waters makes fishing a popular hobby, and the long coastline, glorious archipelagos and numerous waterways have made it a nation of sailors For a small nation Sweden has proud traditions, especially in winter sports Skiing and ice hockey as... (see p25) in art and handicrafts which can be seen in the galleries and shops SWEDEN ON THE WORLD STAGE Swedes are keen musicians, and The neutrality which protected many play in local orchestras or sing Sweden from two world wars has in choirs Folk music and dancing remained a guiding principle enjoy a natural high season from Sweden did not join NATO, choosing Midsummer to the end of August instead to... cm (8 ft), are Swedens largest birds of prey They nest along the east coast and also on lakes in Lappland Wolves are a threatened species and, despite migration from neighbouring countries, there are only around 200 in Sweden THE ARABLE SOUTH The flat lands of Skồne with their fields of crops, willow windbreaks and half-timbered houses topped by storks nests are a familiar image of Sweden But just... they are so common in southern and central Sweden that they are known to raid local gardens in search of food Hedgehogs rely on their 5,000 spines for protection and curl into a ball at the approach of danger But this is of little effect against cars, and the popular doorstep guest is in decline A P O R T R A I T O F S W E D E N 19 SWEDENS FLORA Considering Swedens unusually rich flora, it is not surprising . EYEWITNESS TRAVEL SWEDEN