Page 603 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

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SWEDEN

The Swedes are justly proud of the natural beauty of their country. From the
snow-capped mountains of the north, through rolling countryside dotted
with forests and lakes, to the tiny islands of the Baltic archipelagos around
Stockholm, the country is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Like its people,
Sweden’s cities are modern and dynamic, but also rich in tradition.
Sweden is Europe’s fifth-largest History
country, with an area about the size Although the Swedish Vikings were
of California. Roughly 1,600 km (1,000 seafaring warriors like their Danish and
miles) lie between its southernmost and Norwegian cousins, they were primarily
northernmost points. About 15 percent known as Sweden’s first traders, opening up
of its area lies north of the Arctic Circle, routes along the Russian rivers to the east as
where, for a few days each summer, the far as the Black Sea. Ruthlessly exploiting the
sun never sets, and never rises for a similar Slav population of the area, they dealt
period in winter. The Swedish climate is mainly in slaves and furs. The Viking reign
not severe, thanks to the warming ended with the successful Christianization
influence of the Gulf Stream. of Sweden at the end of the 11th century.
Only 7 percent of Sweden’s area is The German traders of the Hanseatic
cultivated farmland; more than half the League arrived in Sweden some time
country is covered by timberlands, during the 13th century, and dominated
consisting mainly of coniferous forests. Swedish life for the next hundred years.
Mountains, fells, and wetlands occupy In 1397, the Germans were forced out by
nearly a quarter of the country. Sweden has the Union of Kalmar, which brought
about 100,000 lakes, which include Vänern, Scandinavia under Danish rule. This state
the third-largest body of fresh water in of affairs continued until Gustav Vasa,
Europe. Norrland, the northern three-fifths resenting Denmark’s influence, succeeded
of the country, is rich in natural resources, in ousting the Danes in 1523, becoming
including timber, ore deposits, and rivers, king of an independent Sweden.
whose waterfalls contribute to the national The 17th and early 18th centuries were
energy supply. It is here that the Sami dominated by two military giants, Gustav II
(formerly known as the Lapps) earn their Adolf and Karl XII, whose conquests made
traditional livelihood herding reindeer. Sweden for the first time more powerful

Dancers in traditional folk costume in the village of Sundborn, Dalarna province
Stockholm City in the summer sun

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