Sweden is a European country on the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, which borders Norway and Finland, is connected to Denmark via the bridge of Öresundand. It is washed by the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat. Sweden is the third-largest country in the European Union by area, and its total population is about 9.7 million people. The capital of the country is Stockholm. The official language is Swedish; about 89% of Swedes can speak English.

The national currency is the Swedish krona. Major credit cards (some restriction may apply to American Express) are widely accepted.

About 65% of Sweden is covered with forests. The northernmost part of the country is north of the Arctic Circle.

Most of the country has a temperate climate, softened by the Gulf Stream.

Sweden is a country with a rich history and a great cultural heritage, so wherever you go you will always find lots of entertainment for every taste: museums, exhibitions, theaters, musical concerts, sports competitions and so forth.

Sweden is a perfect destination for those who like outdoor activities. Here you can enjoy stunning nature while skiing, skating, hiking, canoeing, cycling, sailing and horse-riding. Despite short summer hundreds of miles of beaches in Sweden attract many tourists. Those who are not satisfied with swimming and sunbathing can take up some waterskiing or windsurfing. People who like enjoying nature in more relaxed way can choose a boat trip from Stockholm city centre among the islands to Drottningholm Palace or go by boat along the historic Göta Canal, stretching from Gothenburg in the west to Söderköping on the Baltic Sea. Connoisseurs of history will like visiting Lund, founded more than a thousand years ago, where they can see 12th-century cathedral, 14th-century astronomical clock and a huge open-air museum, Kulturen. And, of course, the beautiful Stockholm has a lot of attractions.

Airports

Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is the largest international airport in Sweden, located 37 km north of Stockholm.

Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) is the second largest international airport serving the Gothenburg region in Sweden.

Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO), 100 km from Stockholm.

Diving in Sweden

Sweden gives a lot of different diving opportunities, such as fish and reef diving, wreck diving, ice diving, quarry and cave diving. Fish and reef diving is possible on the west coast of Sweden.

The best wreck diving is said to be in the waters of Öland Island, where there are 5 well-preserved German WW1 wrecks, sunk by the submarine E19. They are the SS Walter Leonard, a 1261-ton freighter; the SS Germania; the SS Gutrune, a 3039-ton freighter; the SS Director Reppenhagen, a freighter of 1683 tons and the SS Nicomedia, a 4391-ton freighter.

Off this island you can also see the Emmy Hasse wreck, a British steamer sunk in 1887.

In the Baltic Sea you can explore such wrecks as

The Sappemeer, a motor ferry sunk in 1969 and located at 25 meters depth.

The Najade, a screw steamer sunk in 1933. She is lying at a depth of 35 meters.

The Ingrid Horn, a screw steamer sunk in 1917 after hitting by another ship and located at 24 meters depth.

Around the Stockholm Archipelago there are such interesting wrecks as the Riksnyckeln, a Swedish battleship, lost in 1628 and resting at depths between 8 and 15 meters; the Riksapplet, An 84-gun battleship located just off Dalaro and lost in 1676; the Melanie, a Swedish steamer built in 1883 and lost in 1907, she is now located at a depth of 35 meters.

Those who like exploring quarries will be interested in Vagnhärad limestone quarry, whose depth is about 45 meters.