Sweden - Thụy Điển

Sweden is a country in the Scandinavian peninsula. The capital is located in Stockholm. The official language is Swedish. Sweden is bordered by Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast Denmark by the Öresund Bridge in the south, the remaining border is bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat Sea.

overview

Sweden (Swedish: Sverige), the current state name is the Kingdom of Sweden (Konungariket Sverige) in Swedish) is a kingdom in Northern Europe bordering Norway in the west and Finland in the northeast, connected to Denmark by the Öresund bridge in the south, the rest of the border is bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat Sea.

With an area of ​​449 964 km, Sweden is the third largest country in the Union Europe, with a population of 9.4 million. Sweden has a low population density of 21 people/km² but is highly concentrated in the southern half of the country. About 85% of the population lives in urban areas and it is expected that this number will increase gradually because of the ongoing urbanization process. The capital of Sweden is StockholmIt is also the largest city in the country. The second largest city is Göteborg with a population of about 500,000 and 900,000 of the total region. The third largest city is Malmo with a population of about 260,000 people and 650,000 people in the total region.

The independent and unified country of Sweden emerged in the Middle Ages. In the 17th century Sweden expanded its territory and created the Swedish Empire. Most of the territory beyond Scandinavia was lost in the 18th and 19th centuries. The eastern half of Sweden, present-day Finland, fell to the Russian Empire in 1809. The last war Sweden was directly involved in. in 1814, when Sweden used military force to force Norway into the Union of Sweden and Norway, an alliance that lasted until 1905. Since then, Sweden has been a pacifist country, adopting a policy towards nonaligned foreign policy in peacetime and a policy of wartime neutrality.

Today, Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system and a highly developed economy. Sweden ranks first in the world's democracy index according to The Economist magazine and seventh in the United Nations' human development index. Sweden is a member of the Union Europe in 1995 and is a member of the OECD.

History

At the end of the Ice Age (about 12,000 BC) the first people began to migrate to the coastal regions by land between virtue and Scania (southern of present-day Sweden). The oldest archaeological sites dating to about 13,000 years ago were found in the region of Scania. When this overland road disappeared around 5,000 BC the central and coastal areas of Sweden were already populated. Also according to archaeological sites, from AD to 400 there was a prosperous trade with the Roman Empire. Scandinavia is mentioned for the first time in Roman documents from 79, such as in Gaius Plinius Secundus' Naturalis Historiae or in Gaius Cornelius Tacitus' De Origine et situ Germanorum.

In the early 11th century the kingdom was a loose confederation of autonomous regions with separate councils, laws, and courts, bound together only through the individual of the king of relatively little power. The kingdom was actually founded during the Middle Ages, between 1000 and 1300, at the same time as Christianity. After 1000 the titles of kings began to take shape in Götaland (southern Sweden) and in Svealand (central Sweden). The position was initially controversial, unsustainable, and often of regional importance. Under Birger Jarl, who was closely related to his brother-in-law King Erik Eriksson, extensive social and political reforms began to bring about a centralized power and an organized society. follow the example of feudal countries Europe.

In 1388, the Danish queen Margarethe I was recognized as the ruler of Sweden by an opposing aristocracy. In 1397 Margarethe's grandson Erik of Pommern was crowned king of the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, establishing the Kalma Union.

Battle of Poltava in 1709. In 1611, after the death of his father, Gustav II Adolf ascended the throne at the age of 17, starting the period when Sweden rose to become a great power. He fought in many wars of that time. In 1700, three neighboring countries were Denmark, Poland and Russia started the Great Nordic War (1700-1721) against Sweden. King Karl XII of Sweden defeated the Danish army, the Russian army and the army in turn Poland. But in 1709, a great king in Russian history, Peter the Great, defeated the Swedish army at the Battle of Poltava (1709). King Karl XII died in 1718, and then Sweden was no longer a great power, losing its land to the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. However, the Swedish government still wants to restore the strong role of the country. They pushed the country into war with the Russians in the 1740s, resulting in the Swedes' defeat. Since then, the Tsar has more and more intervened in Sweden's internal affairs. During the Seven Years' War (1756 - 1763), Sweden entered the war in the Austro-French-Russian alliance, to fight Prussia with the desire to regain Pomerania province. But a great king in Prussian history, Frederick II the Great, fought bravely, eventually the alliance gradually disintegrated and the Swedes had to withdraw.

King Karl XIV Johan painting by Fredric Westin In the war against Russia (1788 - 1790) of King Gustav III, the Swedish army reaped many troubles and did not receive any land.. Not only that, the war King Gustav IV Adolf's war against Napoleon caused even more damage to Sweden. Because Tsar Alexander I at that time allied with "the antichrist" Napoleon (1807), the Russian army drove the Swedes out of Finland, and this caused a group of Swedish nobles to go mad and overthrow King Gustav II. Adolf in 1809. In 1813, Sweden entered the war in a coalition against France - an alliance that included both Russia and Prussia; After Emperor Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Leipzig, King Karl XIV Johan was still at war with Denmark. In the Treaty of Kiel of 1814 Denmark was obliged to cede Norway in return for the Swedish land Vorpommern. When Norway later declared independence, in a brief and almost bloodless war, King Karl XIV Johan succeeded in forcibly forming a Swedish-Norwegian alliance in which Norway remained a part of the country. separate kingdom. After this last war Karl XIV Johan adopted a consistent peace policy, which was the basis for Swedish neutrality. Sweden's 200-year period of peace from this time to the present is unique in the world today.

Sweden's population increased markedly during the 19th century, and between 1750 and 1850 the population doubled. Many people in rural areas, where the majority of people live, are unemployed, poor and addicted to alcohol. So between 1850 and 1910 there was a great migration, mainly to America. However, as the Industrial Revolution began to progress in Sweden, people gradually joined the city and organized socialist unions. A threatening socialist revolution was avoided in 1917, followed by the re-establishment of parliamentary rule and the country becoming a democracy.

During the 20th century, Sweden was neutral during World War I and World War II, although its neutrality during World War II is disputed. Sweden remained neutral during the Cold War and to this day is not a member of a military alliance. After World War II, thanks to natural resources and not being destroyed, Sweden was able to develop an industry to supply reconstruction work. Europe and thus became one of the wealthiest countries in the world in the 1960s. As other economies began to grow, Sweden was surpassed in the 1970s but still belonged to the standing countries. in terms of people's happiness.

On December 19, 1946, Sweden joined the United Nations, November 1959 joined the Free Trade Association Europe (EFTA). Under the reign of King Gustavus V (1907-1950), the economy prospered like never before. Sweden remained neutral during World War I. Once again, Sweden remained neutral during World War II. The Social Democratic Party continued to rule under Prime Minister Per Albin Hasson (1932-1946) and Prime Minister Tage Erlander (1946-1969). The economy is still growing and the Swedish model continues to be strengthened. However, under Prime Minister Olof Palme (1969-1979), the Government had to cope with the socio-economic crisis.

In 1976, conservatives came to power. In 1982, O. Palme returned to the position of Prime Minister. Palme was assassinated in 1986, Ingvar Carlsson became his successor. In 1991, the conservative leader, Carl Bildt, became Prime Minister. In 1994, the Social Democratic Party returned to power. In 1995, Sweden joined the Union Europe, but refused to adopt the use of the euro in 1999.

Region

City

• Stockholm, the capital, largest city, political, cultural and economic center of Sweden.
• Gothenburg ( Gothenburg) - a port and industrial city on the west coast, the second largest in size
• Kiruna - a mining city in Lappland, and the northernmost city of Sweden
• Linköping - Sweden's 5th most populous city, and a university city
• Luleå - port and industrial city in northern Norrland, with a technical university
• Malmo - connected to the Danish capital Copenhagen by the Öresund . bridge
• rebro - secondhand shoe manufacturing center located between Stockholm and Oslo
• Umeå - university city in Norrland
• Uppsala - lively university city, fourth largest city in Sweden
• Västerås - the center of Swedish industry

Other destinations

• Abisko is a national park on the northern edge of Sweden.
• Bohuslän is Sweden's largest fishing area, rich in marine wildlife.
• Ekerö is a freshwater archipelago of Drottningholm, the residence of the British Royal family, and the Viking settlement Birka.
• Laponia is Western Europe's largest wild, in the northern mountains.
• Siljansbygden is an archetype of Swedish folklore in the center Dalarna.
• Stockholm Archipelago includes islands of all shapes and sizes.
• Salen is a famous ski resort with the beginning of Vasaloppet.
• Ystad is a picturesque riverside town, known from serie Wallander .
• re is one of Sweden's largest ski resorts, with 44 lifts.
• land is Sweden's second largest island, with long beaches.

Arrive

Entry

Sweden is a member of the Schengen Agreement. There is no border control between countries that have signed and implemented international treaties - Union Europe (except Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Likewise, visas issued to any Schengen member are valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. But beware: not all EU members have signed the Schengen agreement, and not all Schengen members are part of the Union. Europe. This means that there may be a customs check location but no immigration check (traveling within the Schengen area but to/from a non-EU country) or you may have to clear immigration but no customs (traveling within the EU but to/from a non-Schengen country).

Airports in Europe thus divided into "Schengen" and "non-Schengen" areas, which in effect act as "domestic" and "international" parts elsewhere. If you are flying from outside Europe If you become a Schengen country and so on, you will clear immigration and customs in the first country and then proceed to your destination with no further checks. Travel between a Schengen member and a non-Schengen country will result in normal border checks. Note that regardless of whether you are traveling within the Schengen area or not, many airlines will insist on seeing your ID card or passport.

Citizens of the EU and EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) countries only need a valid national identity card or passport for entry - otherwise they will need a long-stay visa. any.

People from non-EU/EFTA countries will usually need a passport to enter a Schengen country and most will need a visa.

Only nationals of the following non-EU/EFTA countries do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area: Albania*, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Macedonia *, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Serbia */**, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan *** (Republic of China), USA, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, additional people with the title of British National (overseas), Hong Kong or Macao. Visa-free non-EU/EFTA visitors may not be able to stay more than 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen area in total, not being able to work during the break (although a Some Schengen countries do not allow certain nationalities to work - see below). People count the days from when you enter any country in the Schengen area and do not reset it by leaving a particular Schengen country for a Schengen country, or vice versa. However, New Zealand citizens can stay longer than 90 days if they only visit special Schengen countries.

By air

For flight arrival and departure times, as well as much more information about flights and airports in Sweden, visit Luftfartsverket -Swedish Airport and Air Transport Service[1]

Major airports:

• Arlanda Stockholm (IATA : RNA) (ICAO: ESSA) [2] - serving the largest airlines. To watch Sigtuna for airport facilities, and Stockholm for information on transfers between the airport and central Stockholm.
• Landvetter Gothenburg (IATA : GOT) (ICAO: ESGG) [3] - Serves several international airlines and offers convenient bus transfers (~20 minutes) to the hub Gothenburg.
• Copenhagen Kastrup (Denmark) (IATA : CPH) (ICAO: EKCH) [4] - serving the largest airline. Located on an island in the middle of Copenhagen and Malmo and is ideal for traveling in southern Sweden. Train connections depart from the airport to both cities.

Smaller airports:

• Stockholm Skavsta (IATA : NYO) (ICAO: ESKN) [5] - airport for low fare airlines like Ryanair [6] and Wizzair [7]. Located quite far (about 100 km) from Stockholm, near town Nyköping.
• Stockholm Västerås (IATA : VST) (ICAO: ESOW) [8] - international flights to/from Copenhagen and London. Also about 100 km from Stockholm.
• Gothenburg City Airport (IATA : GSE) (ICAO: ESGP) [9] - located just 14 km from the center Gothenburg, this airport is used by Ryanair, Wizzair and Germanwings [10].
• Malmö-Sturup (IATA : MMX) (ICAO: ESMS) [11] - serve domestic flights and low fares. Located about 30 km from Malmo.

Most airports can be reached by car Flygbussarna - airport bus[12] tickets are about 70 to 100 SEK. Copenhagen Airport is best reached by train. To watch Skånetrafiken[13] for schedule.

By train

You can reach Sweden by train from three other countries:

• Denmark: Train departs Copenhagen and Copenhagen airport for Malmo every 20 minutes, and only cost about 100 SEK ("Öresundståg / Øresundstog" regional train). Great passing train resund bridge to get to Sweden in less than 30 minutes. Furthermore direct train (X2000) to from Copenhagen to Stockholm. NS Elsinore - Helsingborg connections, known as one of the busiest ferry routes in Europe, can also be used (changing trains).
• Norway: central connection Oslo and Stockholm and Gothenburg as well as the connection between Trondheim - Are - stersund and Narvik - Kiruna - Boden - Stockholm.
• virtue: Berlin Go Malmo with "Berlin Night Express". There are also several daily trains from Hamburg to Copenhagen, and night trains from Munich, Basel, Cologne and Amsterdam to Copenhagen.
• Finland: Pass Kemi - Tornio - Haparanda - Luleå / Boden by bus. Interrail tickets are valid on buses. There is no train connection as Finland and Sweden use different gauges.

By car

By bus

By boat

Go

Language

The ubiquitous language is Swedish. Norwegian is also understood almost everywhere because it is very similar to Swedish. Some regions say Finnish and Sami language.

In Sweden, Finnish, Meänkieli, Jiddisch, Romanian and Sami have the status of recognized minority languages. Nearly 80% of Swedes say English as a foreign language because in part English is the first foreign language in school and the other part is because English There are many in TV shows. Most students choose German is a second foreign language, but recently Spanish is gaining popularity and has surpassed German in some schools. Really German was the first foreign language in Sweden until 1950 as well as in the rest of Northern Europe.

Shopping

Expense

Food

Swedish cuisine is primarily a dish of meat, fish and potatoes, dating back to the days when people needed to chop wood all day. Besides the popular potato, modern Swedish cuisine is to a large extent based on breads. Traditional daily food called husmanskost. These include:

• Meatball ( kottbullar), famous Swedish dish in the world. This dish consists of meat, potatoes, brown sauce and fruit jam photo.
• Minced dishes (pyt i panna) includes meat, onions and potatoes, all chopped and fried. Sliced ​​radish and a fried or boiled egg are both required ingredients.
• Bean soup (ärtsoppa) with diced pork, followed by thin cake (crepes). The tradition of eating on Thursdays dates back to medieval times when the public had half the day off because it was an easy meal to prepare. Some lunch restaurants in Sweden will serve soup and cake every Thursday.
• Pickled herring (sill), used in sauces. Usually served with bread or potatoes for a summer lunch or as a starter. Almost mandatory in the middle of summer and very popular for Christmas.
• Blodpudding, black sausage made of blood and flour. Cut it, sauté and eat it with marmalade.
• Gravlax, a cold appetizer widely known and appreciated for its thin slices of salted salmon, sugar and dill.
• Falukorv, a smoked sausage from Falun. One of the most popular ways of this dish is sliced, fried and then served with ketchup and mashed potatoes.
• Sweden has many varieties bread than most other countries. Many of them are whole grains or cereal blends, containing wheat, barley, and oats, compact and high in fiber. Some notable examples are tunnbröd (thinly wrapped bread), knäckebröd (hard bread - may not be a pleasant experience, but is almost always available), and different types of seasoned buns. Bread is mainly eaten as simple bread, with thin slices of cheese or cold meat. Some more weird spreads are messmor (dairy butter) and leverpastej (liver paste).
• Tunnbrödrulle, a fast food dish, consisting of a baguette with mashed potatoes, a hot dog and some vegetables.
• Kroppkakor Potato dumplings stuffed with diced pork.
• Ost . hard cheese. Swedes eat a lot of hard cheese. In a typical food market you can usually find between 10 and 20 different types of cheese. Sweden's most famous hard cheese will be Västerbotten, named after a region in Sweden.

Drinks

Accommodation

Learn

Do

Safe

Medical

To respect

Contact

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