Sweden, which ranks fifth in Europe in land area, is divided into two distinct areas. Sixty-five percent of the land is covered by forests, while the southern half is mostly agricultural. It has land borders with Norway and Finland and has a bridge-tunnel connection to Denmark. The Swedish seashore is likewise quite long and very vast. Only 13% of the total land area is south of the Arctic Circle.

The king has powers comparable to the British monarchy under this constitutional monarchy. Roughly 9 million individuals call this place home. Sweden is often called the “Land of Lakes and Castles.”

There are three main geographic areas in Sweden. The Swedish Lapland region, north of the Arctic Circle, is a stunningly beautiful site that welcomes the Midnight Sun in the summer and the Northern Lights in the winter. The area is also great for dog sledding, snowmobiling, and hiking. The Jukkasjarvi Ice Hotel, located 120 miles (200 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle, is a unique attraction because it has been in operation for 25 years yet is, ironically, constructed every year.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is spread out over 14 islands and is one of the most intriguing and beautiful towns in central Sweden. The Old Town (Gamla Stan), with its cobblestone streets and the Royal Palace, dates back to the 13th century and is the main draw. Stockholm is the only Swedish city with a 100-station metro system. Uppsala, a rich medieval university city, and Sigtuna, the oldest town in the nation with narrow alleys and wooden homes, are worth seeing.

Gothenburg and Malmo are two of Sweden’s biggest cities, both located in the south of the country. Both are well-known for different reasons; the former for its yearly cultural festival and the latter for its closeness and accessibility to Denmark, or more particularly, Copenhagen.

Hollywood stars like Ingmar Bergman, Ingrid Bergman, Max von Sidow, and Greta Garbo all hail from Sweden.