Gothenburg - This is the second largest city in Sweden and is the country's largest port. The visitor can see by touring the city that maritime activity has greatly influenced the development of Gothenburg starting with very enterprising Dutchmen. Not surprising, the Maritime Museum and the Aquarium are excellent. The outdoor Maritime Museum is good and also serves as the port for the Gota Canal steamships which travel the inland waterway to Stockholm. To see a fine collection of Rembrandts check out the Art Museum. Something like Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Liseburg is a good amusement park.

Gavle - A pretty little town which is the home of the Swedish Rail Museum. The museum is the largest of its king in Sweden and for rail enthusiasts a must see.

Kiruna - This is the technically the largest city in the world in terms of land area. It is also the most northerly town in Sweden. Unique to Kiruna are the iron ore mines which supply exceptionally high grade ore to many parts of the world. Tours of the mine occur several times a day and can be arranged at the tour office in the town center.

Stockholm - The thirteen islands which now encompass the city of Stockholm was founded in the 13th century. The oldest part is found on the island of Gamla Stan where the city was actually started. Here you can find the Royal Palace which has tours, the Storkyrkan which is the oldest church in Stockholm and the Riddarholmenskyrka which is a n old church where Swedish royalty was traditionally buried. Also of interest is the small hotel boat called the Mallardrottingen which was once Barbara Hutton's yacht. The rooms are comfortable and cozy and the yacht is dripping with atmosphere and history. On another island is the Skansen Museum which has a collection of centuries old buildings which have been brought from all over Sweden. Concerts, plays, folk dancing and displays of old skills are typical of the activities. Another fascinating point of interest nearby is the Wasa Museum which houses the restored warship Wasa which sank on its maiden voyage. The Nordiska Museet has a number of displays which show daily Scandinavian life back to the 16th century. The National Museum is filled with excellent works of art including impressionists and Rembrandts. Outside of the city be sure to visit Drottingholm which is the living place of the current royal family. Further afield is Gripsholm castle which is about an hours' train ride to the west of Stockholm. A small steam railway line connects to the castle area. The castle is quite well preserved and worth the journey in itself. You can also make the journey by lake steamer which take about three hours.

Uppsala - The Cathedral in town is the burial place for King Gustav Vasa who in the 16th century founded the Swedish state and St. Erik. A few miles out of town are the great burial mounds of Old Uppsala.

Capital: Stockholm

Population: 8, 910,000

Area: 173,800 square miles

Language: Swedish. English is widely spoken

Time: GMT + 1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in September)

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz

Geography: Sweden is a Scandinavian country sandwiched between Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia on the east and Norway on the west and north. To the south is the Baltic Sea and Denmark which is separated by any a sea going channel only a few miles wide. About half of the country is forested and the bulk of the mountains is in the north and west along the Norwegian border. About 10% of the country is located in the Arctic area.

International Airports:

Gothenburg - Landvetter Airport (GOT) is located about 12 miles from the city. Busses operate regularly to the main station with a travel time of 30-40 minutes. Taxis are plentiful.

Malmo - Sturup Airport (MMA) is located nearly 20 miles from the city and takes about 40 minutes transit time. Busses maintain a regular schedule to the city air terminal. Taxis are available.

Malmo - Harbor Hoverport (HMA) - This terminal is located about 350 yards from the Central Train Station. This hoverport services hovercraft which is used to connect to/from flights at Denmark's Kastrup Airport in Copenhagen.

Stockholm - Arlanda International Airport is over 25 miles from the city center. There is excellent bus service which operates on a very frequent schedule to the Central Train Station in Stockholm where there is not only train, but underground and taxi service available. Taxis are also available at the airport. Transit time is usually 30-40 minutes.

Tipping: Hotel and restaurant service charges are included in the bill. Taxi drivers should be tipped 10%.

Shopping: Shops are open by 9 am and close at 6 pm Monday through Friday. On Saturdays shops are closed by 4 pm. Many larger department stores have very late hours and a few are open on Sunday afternoons.

Food and Drink: Sweden is the land of the Smorgasbord with plenty of very fresh food with fish being high on the list. In the far north is common to have reindeer. Cloudberries are unique to Scandinavia and may be found in desserts in the summer. Snapps is a drink which is usually consumed with Smorgasbord and has widely varying flavors and strengths. Soft drinks are plentiful as well as wines and imported alcoholic beverages.

Social: Normal western social customs apply here. Dress in not very formal but in dressy situations the dress code is "smart" and not stuffy formal unless it is a matter of high state business. If in a social situation and beverages are being served, wait for the host to make a toast or drink first.

Business: Business suits are worn but dress should be smart not stuffy. Appointments and punctuality are very important. Business cards are fine in English as almost every speaks English rather well.

Climate

The weather is varied throughout the country. Most of the country has a relatively mild climate in spite of Sweden's northerly position. Only the far north experiences bitter cold winters especially the area which is above the Arctic Circle. Almost half of the country is in forest. Most of the mountains are in the north. Lake Vanern os the largest body of water and encompasses 2145 square miles. If you travel into the far north in the summer be aware of mosquitos which are voracious. Insect repellent is necessary here.