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The
country that brought you IKEA, Greta Garbo and Absolut Vodka
can almost be forgiven for letting the smorgasbord, the Volvo
(driver) and all those zinc-creamed tennis fans out (but not
Roxette, no, never Roxette). Since the devaluation of the
Swedish crown, Sweden has become quite affordable; at any
rate, the simple joys of fresh air, landscape and culture
are among the least extravagant and most rewarding of pleasures
available to visitors. Stockholm, the country's capital, is
a progressive city, though there are pockets which have a
village feel (if you don't focus too much on the sleek, ubiquitous
IKEA chairs). Once you get out of town, Sweden's starkly beautiful
forests and giant lakes lend themselves perfectly to outdoor
activities from iceskating to moose-spotting.
Area:
450,000 sq km (175,500 sq mi)
Population: 8,850,000
Capital city: Stockholm (pop 736,000)
People: 90% Swedes, 3% Finns, 0.15% Sami (indigenous Lapp
inhabitants)
Language: Swedish, but English is widely spoken. Five Samish
dialects are still spoken.
Religion: Lutheran
Government: Constitutional hereditary monarchy
Prime Minister: Göran Persson
GDP:
US$250 billion
GDP per head: US$28,283
Annual growth: 1%
Inflation: 2%
Major industries: Forestry, mining, agriculture, engineering
and high tech manufacturing, telecommunications, IKEA
Major trading partners: EU, US
Member of EU: yes
Euro zone participant: no
Sweden
Flight from UK
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