So, where in the world are we?

The picture above gives You a hint on how far north we are. This far north usually means that summer is very short, but the influence of the Gulf Stream makes it more than habitable, in fact the summers can be fairly long and very nice.

Some might have the notion that all of Europe is very heavily populated, this is not so. Living in the region described on this site there’s less than 1 person per square kilometre. The region have been called Europe's last wilderness, but in my opinion this should also include the northern part of Norway and Finland.

On the CIA World Fact book site You can, among other things, read the following information:

“A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole twentieth 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 labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs.

Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Executive branch: chief of state:  King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)

Area: 449,964 square kilometres

Population: 8,875,053  (July 2001 estimate)"

For potential visitors it might be nice to know that most of the people born in Sweden since the late 50:s speak English.