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Welcome to SWEDEN an extra service of European City Guide / ECG
Information about SWEDEN
The depth and variety of Sweden"s cultural heritage has been inspired by two main sources - nature with its clearly defined seasons, and its mingling with other cultures, dating back to the Viking era. Sweden"s simplest joys are fresh air, landscape and culture, all of which are free, while its cities beckon with urban delights. The passing of the seasons is enthusiastically marked by the Swedes and Midsummer, held at summer solstice, is Sweden"s most celebrated festival. Sweden offers a rugged natural environment that begs to be conquered. In the winter local children and enthusiasts take to skating on frozen lakes and canals wherever the ice is thick enough. Downhill and cross-country skiing are also popular, while in the summer, cycling is everybody"s favourite way to take in the warmth. The dominant characteristics of the Swedish landscape have been left by glacial activity. The 7000km-long scenic coastline, particularly in the west and near Stockholm, is constantly cut by fjords (long, narrow sea inlets) and there are many idyllic islands offshore, and about 100,000 lakes inland. When hungry, Swedes enjoy a diet rich in fish, which is usually poached or fried in lard. Pickled herring is especially popular. The potato is an indispensable part of the Swedish diet, and, as well as being versatile in cooking, is critically important in the production of excellent Swedish distilled liquor, "Aquavit". Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labour force.
General Information Capital: Stockholm Area: 449,964 km2 Population: 9,113,257 Electricity: 230V IDD: +46 Emergency number: 112 Timezone: GMT +1 Hr (+2 Hrs MAR-OCT)
Language Language: Swedish. Lapp is spoken by the Sámi population in the north; there are also Finnish-speaking minorities
Government Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Religion Religion: Around 86% of the population belongs to the Church of Sweden (Evangelical Lutheran) , 13% Roman Catholic .
Health Health: The following vaccinations are recommended: Tetanus.
Currency Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK) 1.00 = 100 Øre
Exchange Rate Exchange Rate: All 100.00 = USD = 690.303 SEK - EUR = 1,033.69 SEK - GBP = 1,141.61 SEK - CHF = 683.962 SEK
Business Hours Business Hours: Flexible working hours, with lunch between 12.00-13.00.
Speed Limit Speed Limit: Cities: 50 km/h , Outside cities: 70 km/h , Motorway : 90/110 km/h.
Traffic Traffic: Traffic drives on the right. Minimum age 18 years. Driving on dipped headlights and wearing of seat belts is compulsory.
Driving License Driving License: National license
National Holidays National holidays: Jan 1 Jan 6 May 1 Jun 6 National Day, Jun 23 Nov 3 Dec 25 Dec 26
Climate Climate: Temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Temperatures Temperatures: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec A -3 -3 -1 4 10 15 18 17 12 7 3 0 P 43 30 25 31 34 45 61 76 60 48 53 48 S 1 3 5 7 9 11 10 8 6 3 1 1 A=Aver. Daily Temp. (°C)
Mobile Network Mobile Network: GSM 900/1800/3G 2100
Shopping Hours Shopping Hours: Generally Mon-Fri: 09.00-18.00 Sat: 09.00-16.00
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