Sweden

Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula, occupying a vast area that stretches from the Baltic Sea in the east to the Scandinavian Mountains along the border with Norway in the west. It also shares a border with Finland to the northeast and is connected to Denmark by the Øresund Bridge. Sweden's long coastline along the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia, together with its numerous lakes, rivers, and forests, has greatly influenced its economy, settlement patterns, and cultural development. The capital and largest city is Stockholm, which is built on a group of islands connected by bridges.

Geographically, Sweden is characterized by remarkable natural diversity. The western part of the country is dominated by the Scandinavian Mountains, where many of Sweden's highest peaks are located, including Kebnekaise, the country's highest mountain at approximately 2,096 metres above sea level. East of the mountains, the landscape gradually changes into forests, rolling hills, fertile plains, and thousands of lakes. Sweden is home to nearly 100,000 lakes, including Vänern and Vättern, the two largest lakes in the European Union. The southern region, known as Götaland, contains fertile agricultural land, while the central region, Svealand, includes many of the country's major cities. Northern Sweden, or Norrland, is sparsely populated and covered largely by forests and tundra. The climate varies from temperate in the south to subarctic in the north, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers, although the Gulf Stream moderates temperatures more than expected for such northern latitudes.

Sweden has a long and influential history. The region has been inhabited since the end of the last Ice Age, and during the Viking Age (approximately 800–1050 CE), Swedish Vikings travelled eastward through Russia to the Black and Caspian Seas, establishing important trade routes with the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world. During the Middle Ages, Sweden gradually developed into a unified kingdom and became part of the Kalmar Union (1397–1523), which united Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under a single monarch. Sweden left the union in 1523 under King Gustav Vasa, whose reign marked the beginning of the modern Swedish state.

During the 17th century, Sweden emerged as one of Europe's leading military powers, establishing a large empire around the Baltic Sea. However, following the Great Northern War (1700–1721), Sweden lost much of its territory and influence. In the 19th century, Sweden underwent rapid industrialization while maintaining political stability. Since 1814, the country has remained at peace, avoiding participation in major wars. Sweden developed into a constitutional monarchy with a strong parliamentary democracy and became internationally known for its welfare system, commitment to human rights, and environmental protection. It joined the European Union in 1995 while retaining its national currency, the Swedish krona.

Agriculture occupies a relatively small proportion of Sweden's land area because much of the country is covered by forests or mountains. Most farming takes place in the fertile southern regions, particularly in Skåne. Major crops include wheat, barley, oats, rye, rapeseed, potatoes, and sugar beet. Livestock farming is also important, especially dairy cattle, beef cattle, pigs, and poultry. Swedish agriculture is highly mechanized and places strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and efficient resource use. Organic farming has expanded steadily in recent decades.

Fishery has traditionally been an important economic activity due to Sweden's long coastline and numerous inland lakes. Commercial fishing takes place mainly in the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Bothnia, the Kattegat, and the Skagerrak. Important species include herring, cod, salmon, mackerel, sprat, and shrimp. Inland fisheries harvest species such as pike, perch, and trout from lakes and rivers. Aquaculture has also grown, particularly the farming of rainbow trout, Arctic char, and mussels. Sustainable fisheries management has become increasingly important to address declining fish stocks and protect marine ecosystems.

Forestry is one of Sweden's most significant natural resource sectors and contributes substantially to the national economy. Approximately 70% of the country's land area is covered by forests, making Sweden one of Europe's most heavily forested nations. The forests consist mainly of Norway spruce, Scots pine, and birch. Sweden has developed one of the world's most advanced forestry industries, producing timber, pulp, paper, cardboard, and engineered wood products for international markets. Sustainable forest management is a central principle of Swedish forestry, ensuring that timber harvesting is balanced by reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and climate protection. Swedish forests also provide habitats for wildlife such as moose, brown bears, wolves, lynx, reindeer, and numerous bird species, while offering extensive opportunities for recreation and ecotourism.

Overall, Sweden is a country where vast forests, abundant freshwater resources, and a northern climate have strongly shaped both its economy and society. Its rich historical development, from the Viking Age to a modern constitutional monarchy, together with its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship, has made Sweden one of the world's most prosperous and environmentally conscious nations.

1980 with Georg and Michael in Gerolds car and the just received driving licence to Sweden to the acquaintances of Michael, Jussi Brodt, pastor in southern Sweden, Norrköping. There it was already a nice trip. The woods and the lakes and we had wonderful weather, only the mosquitoes bothered Georg a lot. After three days we arrived at the farm of Jussi. Very idyllic, like Peterson and Findus. We could sleep in his shed, did a lot with him: fishing, boating, etc.. We drove on to Uppsala, where we visited another friend of Dörries, he also had a motorboat at his house in the archipelago, which he lent us quite frankly. It was the first time we drove a motorboat. Fishing was not so successful, the fish just jumped over the line. On the second tour made Gerold with Michael, Marlis, Helga (his girlfriend), we also went to Jüssi again. It was also a nice tour again, but with friends it is something different. The two weeks in Sweden have left us with the impression that there is an intact and beautiful world near our home. Gerold likes Sweden very much, the landscape, the people and the culture. In 1990 Geroid went back to Sweden with Michael to pick up his sister Meike, who had spent a year in Gothenburg learning Swedish. She translates Swedish children's books into German. She picked them up. It was deep winter and very cold with lots of snow. Michael's diesel almost didn't make it (had to drag it along again and again and make sure that the diesel didn't freeze). In 2006 Gerold drove through Sweden on my way to Norway over the Öresund Bridge, Gothenburg (both directions). On a field he saw a wild moose for the first time, not far away from Gothenburg, from the motorway. In 2014 Gerold came back to Sweden with Klaudia to Malmö and Hörby to take a World of Agriculture picture. 3 days there been in June, was nice and good weather. Not much different than in Schleswig-Holstein. In 2021 Gerold passed Sweden on the tour to Norway via Göteborg.