Geography of Sweden. Map, geographical location, population, climate of Sweden. Industry and economy of Sweden, resources, symbols and anthem of Sweden. Sweden. Economic and geographical location. Natural conditions and resources Characteristics of the Swedish EGP
Wealthy Swedes are now traveling all over the world. They reached Thailand, Vietnam and New Zealand. Meanwhile, every year more and more tourists come to Sweden itself than before. Sweden has a long history, in which the Vikings and King Charles XII left a big mark. In this country you can walk along amazing medieval streets, take a sea cruise along the coastal waters, go fishing in Swedish rivers and lakes rich in fish, and, of course, ski at local high-class ski resorts.
Geography of Sweden
Sweden is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula, in northern Europe. Sweden borders Finland in the northeast and Norway in the west. The south and east of the country is washed by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. The straits Öresund, Skagerrak and Kattegat separate Sweden from neighboring Denmark. The total territory of Sweden, including the islands, is 229,964 square kilometers, and the total length of the border is 2,333 km.
About 65% of Sweden's territory is covered by forests. In northern Sweden, where there are a lot of low mountains, there are taiga forests. In the west of the country there are the Scandinavian Mountains, which stretch across the entire peninsula for 1,700 kilometers. The highest peak in Sweden is Mount Kebnekaise (2,111 m).
There are many rivers in Sweden, the longest of which are Kalix Älv, Thurne Älv, Ume Älv and Skellefte Älv. A significant part of the Swedish territory is occupied by lakes (Vänern, Vättern, Elmaren, Mälaren).
Capital
The capital of Sweden is Stockholm, which is now home to more than 900 thousand people. In the early Middle Ages, there was a small fishing village on the site of modern Stockholm.
Official language
The official language in Sweden is Swedish, which belongs to the Scandinavian group of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.
Religion
More than 71% of Swedes are Lutherans (Protestants), belonging to the Church of Sweden. However, only about 2% of Swedes go to church every week.
Swedish government
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy in which the head of state, according to the Constitution, is the King.
Executive power in Sweden belongs to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. Legislative power belongs to the unicameral parliament - the Riksdag (349 deputies).
The main political parties in Sweden are the Liberal People's Party, the Center Party, the Christian Democrats, the Swedish Democrats, and the Social Democrats.
Climate and weather
Sweden is located in northern latitudes, but this Scandinavian country has a temperate climate with three distinct climatic zones:
- Oceanic climate in the south;
- Humid continental climate in the central part of the country;
- Subarctic climate in the north.
Sweden's moderate climate is due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. In the southern and central regions of Sweden, the average air temperature ranges from +20C to +25C in summer and from -2C to +2C in winter.
Air temperatures in the northern part of the country are colder. Already in September in northern Sweden the air temperature drops below 0C.
Average air temperature in Stockholm:
- January - -3C
- February - -3C
- March – 0С
- April - +5C
- May - +11C
- June - +16C
- July - +18C
- August - +17C
- September - +112С
- October - +8C
- November - +3C
- December - -1C
Sea in Sweden
In the east, Sweden is washed by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. Sweden's total coastline is 3,218 km.
Average sea temperature in Stockholm:
- January – +3С
- February - +2C
- March - +2C
- April - +3C
- May - +6C
- June - +11C
- July - +16C
- August – +17C
- September - +14C
- October - +10C
- November - +7C
- December - +5C
Rivers and lakes
There are a lot of rivers in Sweden, the longest of which are Kalix-Älv (450 km), Skellefte-Älv (410 km) and Thurne-Älv (565 km) in the north, and Ume-Älv (460 km) in the central part of the country.
A significant part of the Swedish territory is occupied by lakes (Vänern, Vättern, Elmaren, Mälaren).
Many tourists come to Sweden to go fishing. Salmon, trout, salmon, pike, brown trout, perch and grayling abound in Swedish rivers and lakes. But, of course, in Sweden they fish in coastal waters Baltic Sea.
Story
The Swedes were first mentioned as a nation in 98 AD. ancient Roman historian Tacitus. By the 7th century, Viking military squads were formed in Sweden and set off to conquer new lands with the hope of getting rich. The expansion of the Swedish Vikings was directed to the territory of modern Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and further to Constantinople and Baghdad.
Historians cannot yet say exactly when the Kingdom of Sweden was formed and who became its first king.
Christianity appeared in Sweden in 829, but paganism had a strong position among the Swedes until the 12th century.
In the years 1100-1400, Sweden was characterized by an internal struggle for power with numerous wars. In 1335, the Swedish king Magnus Erikson abolished slavery in the country.
The “father” of the modern Swedish nation is considered to be King Gustav I of Sweden, who in the first half of the 16th century violated the monopoly of the Hanseatic League on trade in the Baltic Sea. From this time on, the “golden age” of Sweden began. We can rightfully say that already in the 17th century Sweden became an influential European state.
During its "golden age", Sweden conquers several German principalities and invades Poland, and then Russia and Ukraine. In the end, the Swedish Emperor Charles XII is defeated by the Russian troops of Peter I near Poltava. This meant the beginning of the end of the Swedish empire. According to the Peace of Nystad in 1721, Sweden gave up most of the conquered territories.
In 1809, Russia managed to conquer Finland, which was then considered eastern Sweden.
During the two world wars of the 20th century, Sweden remained neutral. In general, the last time Swedish soldiers took part in the war was in 1814. True, Sweden is now sending peacekeepers to the “hot spots” of the world.
In 1946, Sweden was admitted to the UN, and in 1995 the country joined the EU.
Swedish culture
Sweden dominated the Scandinavian Peninsula for a long time in the Middle Ages. This means that Swedish culture had a noticeable influence on the traditions and customs of neighboring countries. However, the Swedes also borrowed a lot from the cultures of Finland, Denmark and Norway.
For foreigners, Swedish traditions may seem mysterious and somewhat strange.
Many Swedish traditions are religious in nature (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost), while others are associated with the seasons (Walpurgis Night, Advent and Lucia).
Nowadays, Sweden also celebrates Waffle Day and Cinnamon Bun Day every year.
Swedish cuisine
The main products of Swedish cuisine are fish (especially herring), seafood, meat, potatoes, and cheese. Mushrooms, game and berries play a big role in Swedish cuisine, but this is not surprising given that forests occupy a large area in this country. The Swedes' favorite traditional dish is meatballs, served with boiled potatoes and sauce. In northern Sweden, a popular fish dish is urströmming.
The traditional alcoholic drink in Sweden (as well as in other Scandinavian countries) is Aquavit, which is usually 40% ABV.
Sights of Sweden
Over many centuries, Sweden has accumulated a large number of attractions. Therefore, we advise tourists in Sweden to definitely see:
- Ales Stones
- Uppsala Cathedral
Cities and resorts
The largest Swedish cities are Gothenburg, Uppsala, Malmo, and, of course, Stockholm.
Sweden has many excellent ski resorts. Skiing season is from December to April.
The top ten best Swedish ski resorts, in our opinion, include the following:
- Sälen
- Vemdalen
- Branäs
- Tarnaby-Hemavan
- Idre Fjäll
- Funäsdalsfjällen
- Tarnaby
- Abisko National Park
- Riksgransen
Souvenirs/shopping
Sweden is a country that combines the centuries-old traditions of a great monarchy, the latest technology and progressive views, modern cities and corners of nature untouched by man. In addition to all of the above, Sweden is one of the three European countries that provide the highest standard of living for their citizens. The listed advantages invariably attract curious people from all over the world who want to get to know the country, see the unusually beautiful Stockholm, visit interesting places in Sweden and enjoy the Scandinavian nature.
Peculiarities of the geographical location of Sweden
Sweden occupies the central part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, bordering its lands with Norway in the west and Finland in the northeast and across the Gulf of Bothnia. Length Swedish state from the shores of the Baltic Sea in the south to the mountain ranges in the north is approximately 1500 km. The elongation of the territory from north to south creates dramatic differences in climate in different regions of the country.
The northern part of Sweden is located above the Arctic Circle, so for three winter months this region is immersed in night darkness, against the background of which the northern lights barely flicker, then flare up with renewed vigor. In the same way, for three summer months the sun does not fall below the horizon of the northern expanses, increasing the day to 24 hours a day. Despite the solstice, there is no truly warm weather here, and even in mid-July it rarely rises above 13 degrees.
Polar resort Riksgränsen
Central Sweden has a milder and warmer climate. Most of the territory is covered with forests. In the central region is Stockholm and the former capital of the Kingdom of Sweden -. To this geographical area This includes the stunningly beautiful Stockholm archipelago, numbering about 24 thousand islands and rocks.
Southern Sweden is flatter and has higher humidity compared to other regions of the country. Here are large lakes Wenern and Wettern. The southernmost part is the picturesque Skåne peninsula with an incredible bridge-tunnel connecting Sweden with Denmark across the Oresund Strait.
Natural attractions of Sweden
In the northern region is Swedish Lapland, a national park that offers travelers not only to admire natural features, but also to get acquainted with the national culture of the indigenous Sami people. The nature of Northern Sweden is austere and beautiful - snow-capped mountain peaks, rocky cliffs on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, endless pine forests.
Near the Norwegian border is the Abisko Landscape Reserve, founded in 1909. This natural Park in an intermountain valley, bounded on the north side by the Turnetresk River. Alpine meadows and birch groves are spread over an area of 7.7 thousand hectares, ski slopes are equipped and campsites are equipped for fans of active recreation.
Another landscape park is popular among climbers. This is Sarek with eight mountain peaks with a height of 2 thousand meters and hundreds of glaciers. There is also an observatory located at a point 1800 m above sea level.
In central Sweden lies the unique Stockholm archipelago with an endless scattering of large, small and very miniature islands. Some of these islands have been lived in in a modern style, while some still have ancient wooden buildings (for example, Vaxholm, Sandhamn). Many islands remain natural areas without the presence of inhabitants.
The archipelago off the southwestern coast of the Kingdom of Sweden is distinguished by its advantages. It is here that you can see red granite skerries and visit the world's first marine park. The islands of the archipelago have all the conditions for recreation and fishing.
Popular tourist cities in Sweden
The capital of the kingdom ranks first not only in the ranking of popular tourist places Sweden, but also the entire Scandinavian Peninsula.
Stockholm is characterized by a unique island location, impressive northern architecture, the best medieval city in Europe. Here you can visit the current royal residences and the world famous Stockholm City Hall, where the celebrations for the Nobel Prize are held. Many tourists visiting Stockholm call it the most beautiful city in all of northern Europe.
Gothenburg is the sports capital of Sweden and the kingdom's second largest city. Large stadiums and the largest amusement park are located in the western center of Sweden. Botanical Garden Gothenburg is the leading biological site in all of Northern Europe. The city is filled with museums and exhibition venues - the Museum of World Culture, the Museum of Technology, the Museum of Art, the Victor Hasselblad Exhibition Center and others. From Gothenburg it is convenient to go to the Western Archipelago Nature Reserve.
Uppsala, located 70 km north of Stockholm, was the capital of the kingdom in ancient times and has retained a number of unique attractions to this day. Former capital is famous for its 13th-century Cathedral, whose twin spiers give it the status of the tallest cathedral on the Scandinavian Peninsula. Uppsala is home to the oldest Scandinavian university, the Gustavianum museum of history and culture, and a castle built during the reign of Gustav I Vasa.
It’s best to start getting to know Sweden by visiting the capital. Stockholm is the city you want to return to more than once. Having had enough of the unique views of the “city on the water”, you can and should pay attention to other assets of the kingdom.
The background to the creation of the museum was the preparatory underground work to arrange a parking lot for parliamentarians. While clearing underground areas, builders came across fragments of the fortress wall, the remains of burials and some items related to...
Just behind the Royal Opera House, on its northern side, is the impressive structure of the Church of St. Jacob, patron of travelers. St. Jacob's Church in Stockholm is the oldest in the northern part of the city. First mentions...
Riddarholmen Church is practically the only building from the 13th century that has survived in Stockholm to this day. The church spire is visible in photographs and artistic depictions of Stockholm as a striking architectural detail. But this detail...
The kingdom occupies the eastern and southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and the islands of Öland and Gotland in the Baltic Sea. In the west it borders with Norway, in the northeast with Finland, in the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea, separating from Denmark in the south.
The name of the country comes from the Scandinavian svear-rige - “state of the Svens”.
Official name: Kingdom of Sweden (Konungariket Sverige).
Capital:
The area of the land: 450.5 thousand sq. km
Total Population: 9.3 million people
Administrative division: Sweden is divided into 24 counties.
Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.
Head of State: King.
Population composition: 91% are Swedes, 3% are Finns, Sami, Norwegians, Danes, people from the former Yugoslavia, Greeks, Turks. For many centuries the country was ethnically very homogeneous, consisting of Swedes and Sami themselves.
Official language: Swedish, Finnish, Meänkieli and Sami are also spoken.
Religion: 87% are Lutheran, there are also Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Muslims, Jews, and Buddhists.
Internet domain: .se
Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz
Country dialing code: +46
Country barcode: 730-739
Climate
Since the territory of Sweden has a significant extent in the submeridional direction, in the north of the country it is much colder and the growing season is shorter than in the south. The length of day and night varies accordingly. However, in general Sweden has a higher frequency of sunny and dry weather than many other countries in North-West Europe, especially in winter.
Despite the fact that 15% of the country is located beyond the Arctic Circle, and all of it is located north of 55° N, due to the influence of winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean, the climate is quite mild. Such climatic conditions are favorable for forest development, comfortable stay people and more productive agriculture than in continental regions located at the same latitudes. Throughout Sweden, winters are long and summers are short.
In Lund in the south of Sweden, the average temperature in January is 0.8 ° C, in July 16.4 ° C, and the average annual temperature is 7.2 ° C. In Karesuando in the north of the country the corresponding indicators are -14.5 ° C, 13.1 ° C and –2.8° C. Snow falls annually throughout Sweden, but snow cover in Skåne lasts only 47 days, while in Karesuando it lasts 170–190 days. Ice cover on lakes lasts on average 115 days in the south of the country, 150 days in the central regions and at least 200 days in the northern regions. Off the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, freeze-up begins around mid-November and lasts until the end of May. Fog is common in the northern Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia.
The average annual precipitation ranges from 460 mm on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea and the far north of the country to 710 mm in west coast Southern Sweden. In the northern regions it is 460–510 mm, in the central regions – 560 mm, and in the southern regions – slightly more than 580 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation falls at the end of summer (in some places there is a second maximum in October), the least - from February to April. The number of days with stormy winds ranges from 20 per year on the west coast to 8–2 on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia.
Geography
Sweden is located in Northern Europe, in the eastern and southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the west, Sweden borders on Norway, in the north-east on Finland, and on the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. In the south, the straits Öresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak separate Sweden from Denmark. Sweden includes two large islands in the Baltic - Gotland and Öland.
The country's topography is elevated, the northwestern part of the country is mountainous (the most high point- Mount Kebnekaise, 2111 m.) and is framed on the east by a vast plateau; in the south the terrain is more even and abounds in rivers and lakes (there are almost 90 thousand reservoirs in the country). Most of the country is covered with forests; in the north, vast areas are occupied by the tundra zone of Swedish Lapland. The coastline is heavily indented and abounds with skerries and island groups. The area of the country is 450 thousand square meters. km.
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
Based on the nature of natural vegetation in Sweden, there are five main areas confined to certain latitudinal zones:
1) alpine region, combining the northernmost and most elevated areas, with a predominance of colorful short grass and dwarf forms of shrubs;
2) an area of crooked birch forest, where squat trees with strongly curved trunks grow - mainly birch, less often aspen and rowan;
3) the northern region of coniferous forests (the largest in the country) - with a predominance of pine and spruce;
4) the southern region of coniferous forests (largely cleared); in the surviving massifs, oak, ash, elm, linden, maple and other broad-leaved species are mixed with coniferous species;
5) area of beech forests (almost not preserved); in these forests, along with beech, there are oak, alder and, in some places, pine.
In addition, azonal vegetation is widespread. Lush meadow vegetation grows around the lakes, and swamps with specific flora are common in some places. On the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea, halophytic communities (plants growing on saline soils) are common.
Animal world
In Sweden there are such forest inhabitants as elk, brown bear, wolverine, lynx, fox, marten, squirrel, and mountain hare. American mink and muskrat were brought from North America several decades ago for breeding in fur farms, but some individuals escaped and formed quite viable populations in nature, which quickly spread throughout the country (excluding some islands and the far north) and displaced a number of local animal species from their ecological niches. There are still wild reindeer in northern Sweden.
Ducks, geese, swans, gulls, terns and other birds nest along the shores of seas and lakes. The rivers are home to salmon, trout, perch, and in the north – grayling.
Attractions
The country is abundantly endowed with natural beauties and attractions - the green fields of the south of the country and the harsh tundra of Lapland, the green hills of the west and the wooded cliffs of Norrbotten, the picturesque islands and skerries of the south and the calm shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, a huge lake system and a lot of wild animals - all this attracts a huge amount to the country. number of tourists. And its rich history and beautiful cities will allow you to get acquainted with the unique culture of the country.
Banks and currency
Swedish krona. 1 crown is equal to 100 ore. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10 crowns and coins in 10, 5, 1 crown and 50 öre.
Banks are open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 to 15:00, and on Thursday from 9:30 to 17:30. Exchange offices at airports, train stations, and marinas are open seven days a week.
Currency exchange is carried out in banks, exchange offices and post offices.
Useful information for tourists
Regular store opening hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 on weekdays and from 10.00 to 15.00 on Saturdays. Many shops are also open on Sunday. Large department stores are open every day, but on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays they have shorter working hours. In July, the “industrial holidays” begin (until mid-August), when all enterprises are closed and institutions operate in a “saving” mode.
Economic geographical position Sweden
Sweden is a country on the Scandinavian Peninsula, occupying 3/5 of its territory. The country has land borders with Finland in the east and Norway in the west, but the length of its sea borders is longer than the land borders.
From the south, the country is washed by the Baltic Sea, in whose waters there are two Swedish islands - Gotland and Öland.
Note 1
In the 17th-18th centuries, Sweden controlled the entire coast of the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, occupying a significantly larger area. After the defeat in the Northern War, she began to build her own life, abandoning the idea of greatness.
Sweden occupies a peripheral position relative to world trade routes and markets for finished products, however, this did not become an obstacle to achieving high position in international rankings.
On the territory of the Kingdom in the central and southern regions the railway network is well developed, the total length of which is more than 11 thousand km. Big cities connected by high-speed trains.
Ships ply along the coast. The country's capital has a metro, and cheap public transport is buses.
Swedish roads are of the highest quality and have dedicated bike lanes. The length of roads is more than 213 thousand km.
The country has its own merchant fleet, which is under the control of monopolistic groups.
Swedish railways connected to the Danish and German railway networks via a sea ferry service.
Air transport connects Sweden with many countries around the world. Arlanda International Airport is located near Stockholm, the capital of the country. Departures from it go in 160 directions. There are 52 airports in total, and 9 of them have international status.
One of the reasons for the country's economic growth was the rapid development of the export sector of the economy. The structure of exports began to be dominated not by traditional industries, but by services, information technologies, and telecommunications.
Germany, USA, Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Finland are Sweden's main foreign trade partners.
Arms occupy a special place in exports, 80% of which were supplied to the countries of the European Union, the USA, and South Africa.
The country's imports mainly include:
- liquid and solid fuel,
- metals,
- chemical industry products,
- machines.
The beginning of the 20th century resulted in a number of losses for Sweden. The fact is that the union that existed between Sweden and Norway was liquidated.
According to this document, the Swedish crown ruled Norway, but after a series of conflicts, Norway gained independence. As a result, the Kingdom of Sweden lost access to the North Atlantic, as well as the ability to fish.
During this period, the country was still largely agricultural, and the separation of Norway dealt an additional blow to the economy. Urgent measures were needed to modernize the economy.
Note 2
Thus, the economic and geographical position of the modern Kingdom of Sweden is favorable, despite its marginal physical and geographical location and not very rich reserves of mineral resources. The country learned to benefit for its development from what was determined by nature, and coped with this task perfectly, becoming one of the leading states in the world.
Natural conditions of Sweden
The Scandinavian Peninsula is located within the Baltic Shield and the Caledonian folded structures, with which the main features of the relief of Sweden are associated.
Its highest point is called Mount Kebnekaise, has a height of 2111 m.
In the Cenozoic era, vertical movements occurred here due to the activity of glaciers. The peninsula was the center of glaciation in Europe, and the thickness of the glaciers in some places was more than 1500 m. The last glacier in the Stockholm area lay for about 10 thousand years.
In modern Sweden there are two large natural regions - northern and southern.
On the territory of the northern, more elevated region, three vertical belts formed:
- the upper belt includes the eastern edge of the Scandinavian Highlands, rich in lakes;
- the middle belt includes the Norland plateau with peatlands;
- the lower belt runs along the plains along the western shore of the Gulf of Bothnia.
Ore deposits occur within the plateau. In the southern part there are the plains of Central Sweden, the Småland plateau, and the plains of the Skåne Peninsula. The plains, almost entirely plowed, are crossed by low ridges stretching from northwest to southeast. These plains were once covered with dense forests.
Due to the fact that the country is located along the meridian and has a significant extent from north to south, climatic conditions will be varied.
Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, its southern and eastern parts are characterized by a temperate maritime climate, turning into a temperate continental one. January temperatures range from -15 to -23 degrees. July temperature is +21…+23 degrees. Annual precipitation is 300-800 mm. There is excessive moisture because evaporation is low, and this leads to swampy areas.
The temperate continental climate has well-defined seasons. Winters are usually cold and summers are warm.
The subarctic climate is characteristic of the north and northeast, which lies outside the Arctic Circle. Summer here is short and winter is long.
The Scandinavian mountains and the Atlantic Ocean play a leading role in Sweden's climate. Air heated by the Gulf Stream makes the climate of the central and southern regions milder and more favorable for life.
The Scandinavian mountains do not allow warm winds from the Atlantic to pass through, so in the north of the country conditions are much colder.
In May, white nights begin, and daylight lasts up to 18 hours; in the north of the country it lasts up to 24 hours. Autumn is rainy and windy, with frequent fogs.
Natural resources of Sweden
The subsoil of Sweden is quite rich in metal-containing resources and poor in mineral fuel.
Outcrops of igneous and metamorphic rocks indicate the presence of metal ores; they are among the richest. Their reserves amount to 3.0 billion tons, with an iron content of about 60%.
The iron ore basin is located above the Arctic Circle, in Lapland. The Kirunavara field in this basin has reserves of 1.6 billion tons.
The second iron ore region is located in the middle part of the country - this is Bergslagen, although it is inferior in reserves to the northern basin, but contains fewer impurities.
Large reserves of non-ferrous metals were formed on the Norland Plateau. They contain copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold, arsenic, and sulfur pyrites. Copper reserves have been depleted during operation and are of no industrial importance. Copper pyrite deposits are known in Norrbotten.
Of the Central European oil and gas basin, only part of it falls into the territory of Sweden, with an area of 30 thousand square meters. km in the northwestern side of the island of Gotland. The largest field is Hamra with oil reserves of 20 thousand tons.
There are coal deposits in Öresunde and Höganäs, but the thickness of the seams is small and amounts to 0.8 m.
There are small reserves of gold and silver.
In the main territory of Sweden, with the exception of the south, podzolic soils have formed, which are of little agricultural value.
More favorable are soddy-podzolic ones, common in low-lying areas near lakes.
Forest brown soils have formed in the south of the country - these are the most fertile of all the soils formed on the peninsula.
Forest resources cover almost half of Sweden's territory. The area occupied by forests is more than 23 million hectares. The country holds the lead in forest reserves among European countries. The main forest species is coniferous.
The country's territory is covered by a dense river network. Rivers originating in the Scandinavian mountains have hydropower reserves - Ongermanelven, Dalelven, Luleelv, Umeelv, Indalselven. Rivers alternate with numerous lakes, occupying 8% of the country's territory. The largest is Lake Vänern.