75 COMMON QUESTIONS with answers about Sweden
NordenBladet – What is the Sweden known for?, What is traditional Swedish food?, What is the climate like in Sweden?, Can I see Northern Lights from Stockholm?, How long does it take to become a citizen of Sweden?, What animals are found in Sweden?, Who was the first king of Sweden? – get answers to all your questions!
What is the Sweden known for?
What is Sweden famous for? You probably know all about ABBA, IKEA and meatballs (Svenska Kottbullar). … Swedish food has also hit the big time recently, going far beyond classic dishes like meatballs and pickled herring (though you can still get both at any local supermarket).
What are some popular foods in Sweden?
Meatballs made from meat and herbs tightly rolled together, frequently served with mashed potatoes and pickles. Sliced sausage pieces (usually falukorv) served in a creamy tomato sauce, a cheaper Swedish variation of Beef Stroganoff.
What is traditional Swedish food?
Swedish cuisine is the traditional food of the people of Sweden. … Many traditional dishes employ simple, contrasting flavours, such as the traditional dish of meatballs and brown cream sauce with tart, pungent lingonberry jam (slightly similar in taste to cranberry sauce).
What is in Swedish meatball sauce?
Whisk together the beef stock, heavy cream, flour, soy sauce, black pepper, and rosemary in a large saucepan until smooth. Cook and stir over low heat until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the meatballs, and continue cooking until meatballs are heated through, about 5 more minutes.
What is a Swedish Dala horse?
Over the years the handcarved and painted Dala Horse has become a symbol of authentic Swedish handicraft and one of Sweden’s most popular souvenirs. The name comes from its home province, Dalarna, in central Sweden. Most popular are the red-orange horses from the little village of Nusnäs near Mora.
What is Sweden’s favorite sport?
Sweden is a country with a high interest in sport. It is estimated that about half the population is active in some sport. The most popular sports that Swedes play are handball, football, golf, athletics and gymnastics. Other common games played or competed in are tennis, ice hockey, basketball, table tennis and bandy.
What is the climate like in Sweden?
Sweden’s many lakes and the gulfs of Bothnia give Sweden generally a relatively mild climate. July temperatures in Sweden average 13 to 17°C. February is usually Sweden’s coldest month, with temperatures from – 22 to -3°C. In northern Sweden, winter temperatures often drop to -30°C, sometimes even lower.
How cold is Sweden in the summer?
Stockholm, Sweden has on average the warmest summer of the Nordic countries, with an average maximum temperature of 23 °C (73 °F) in July; Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki have an average July maximum temperature of 22 °C (72 °F).
What is the weather like in Sweden in June?
June is also one of the warmest months, the abundance of sunshine helping to keep things warm. The average temperature is 16°C—only July and August are warmer, but only by a degree or two. June afternoons heat up to 21°C on average, which is absolutely delightful.
How hot does it get in Sweden?
Between June and August you can expect temperatures to regularly top 20°C (68°F) and it can get as hot as 30°C (86°F), with occasional rainy weather. Summer temperatures in the southern cities of Sweden average out around 18°C and winter temperatures around -2°C.
What is the coldest month in Sweden?
Stockholm: Annual Weather Averages. July is the hottest month in Stockholm with an average temperature of 64°F (18°C) and the coldest is January at 27°F (-3°C) with the most daily sunshine hours at 12 in June. The wettest month is July with an average of 72mm of rain.
Is it always cold in Sweden?
The air is relatively humid here, making warm days feel warmer and cold days colder. However, even in winter months, snow is rare near any southern coast. Stretching from Stockholm in the east to southern Norway in the west, Svealand has a climate that is normally a few degrees cooler than that of Götaland.
Is it cold in Scandinavia?
Parts of the Scandinavian mountains in Norway and Sweden have an alpine tundra climate with very cold temperatures, especially in winter. Further north, in the regions of Greenland and Iceland, you experience arctic climate with cold winters.
What is the weather like in Sweden in October?
Guaranteeing enjoyment all year round, Stockholm, Sweden, impresses visitors with its majestic landscape, historic highlights and natural scenery. Vast green areas and numerous waterways ornament the city. In October, temperatures reach up to 10°C in the afternoon and drop to an average low of 5°C overnight.
What is the best time to go to Sweden?
Summer — When it comes to weather, the ideal time to visit Sweden is from June to August. At this time, all its cafes and most attractions, including open-air museums, are open, and thousands flock to the north of Sweden to enjoy the midnight sun.
How expensive is it to visit Sweden?
Add in some museums, and you’ll need around $70 USD per day (420 SEK). If you’re the average “stay in a hostel/hotel, eat cheap, go out a few times” traveler, then you should budget around $90 USD per day (540 SEK).
How safe is it in Sweden?
Sweden is very safe overall, with a low crime rate, although some cities have some rough areas that tourists should better avoid. … Sweden is the 18th safest country in the world, based on the safest and most dangerous countries ranking.
Is Sweden the safest country?
Scandinavia: The Safest Region In The World. Having all three of its most prominent constituent nations (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark) among the 25 safest countries in the world, Scandinavia has to be considered the safest region. … Scandinavia also appears to have some of the happiest people on the planet.
Is Sweden safe for American tourists?
Sweden is very safe overall, with a low crime rate, although some cities have some rough areas that tourists should better avoid. … Sweden is the 18th safest country in the world, based on the safest and most dangerous countries ranking.
Are Sweden Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, appear around the beginning of September (Kiruna) to around the end of March all over Swedish Lapland. But for the very best chance of seeing the Northern Lights you should make the trip to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park.
Can I see Northern Lights from Stockholm?
Usually, the northern lights are only visible in Sweden’s northern reaches. It is possible to see the northern lights much further south than Jokkmokk, however, and during periods of particularly high solar activity, it’s not unheard of to see the aurora as far south as Stockholm and Gothenburg.
When can you see the Northern Lights in Scandinavia?
Historically, the chances of seeing the northern lights are best viewed in Northern Norway between October and March, because the polar night makes them easier to see. The northern lights are visible in a belt around the magnetic North Pole.
What is the best month to see the Northern Lights?
In this period of time, no Northern Lights can be observed. In the most intense Northern Lights area (notably Alaska, Iceland, Northern Scandinavia and Yukon), the lights are observed from late August to mid April. However, from late September to late March, it is dark after 6pm, and one enjoys maximum chances.
Is there a monarchy in Sweden?
When The King is unable to fulfil his duties as Head of State because for example he is abroad, his duties are discharged to Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip or Princess Madeleine. Sweden has a constitutional monarchy. The Monarch’s power is regulated by the Swedish constitution.
Who is the current queen of Sweden?
Queen Silvia of Sweden (born Silvia Renate Sommerlath on 23 December 1943) is the spouse of King Carl XVI Gustaf and mother of the heir apparent to the throne, Crown Princess Victoria.
What is the last name of the Swedish royal family?
Estelle, her mother Crown Princess Victoria, and the rest of Sweden’s royal family, belong to the House of Bernadotte. However, they do not use Bernadotte as their surname, with the exception of the country’s newest prince, Prince Daniel, whose full name is Daniel Westling Bernadotte.
Where does the royal family live in Sweden?
Drottningholm Palace. Drottningholm Palace, just outside Stockholm, has been home to the Swedish Royal Family since 1981. Today, however, only the King and Queen live there.
How did Sweden become a country?
During the 11th and 12th centuries, Sweden gradually became a unified Christian kingdom that later included what is today Finland. Modern Sweden started out of the Kalmar Union formed in 1397 and by the unification of the country by King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century.
Is Sweden a democracy or a monarchy?
Politics of Sweden takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic constitutional monarchy. Executive power is exercised by the government, led by the Prime Minister of Sweden. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament, elected within a multi-party system.
Is Sweden a capitalist country?
The Nordic model (also called Nordic capitalism or Nordic social democracy) refers to the economic and social policies common to the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Sweden).
Is Sweden a republic?
Republicanism in Sweden (Swedish: Republikanism) is the collective term for the movement in Sweden that seeks to establish a republic and abolish the Swedish constitutional monarchy.
Who was the first king of Sweden?
However, due to scant and unreliable sources before the 11th century, lists of succession traditionally start in the 10th century with king Olof Skötkonung, and his father Eric the Victorious, who also were the first Swedish kings to be baptized.
Who is the current president of Sweden?
The current Prime Minister of Sweden is Stefan Löfven, leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party.
What is Sweden’s economy based on?
Sweden is an export-oriented mixed economy featuring a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade.
Are Vikings from Sweden?
According to the Icelandic sagas, many Norwegian Vikings also went to eastern Europe. In the Viking Age, the present day nations of Norway, Sweden and Denmark did not exist, but were largely homogeneous and similar in culture and language, although somewhat distinct geographically.
Who was the greatest Viking?
There are so many badass Vikings that it’s tough to narrow it down, but these ten who made their peers soil their breeches.
Eric Bloodaxe.
Freydis Eriksdottir.
Sweyn Forkbeard.
Harald Hardrada.
Bjorn Ironside.
Gunnar Hamundarson.
Erik the Red.
Ragnar Lodbrok.
Is there a real Ragnar Lothbrok?
In fact, Lothbrock is a legendary Vikings figure who almost certainly existed, although the Ragnar Lothbrok in the Viking Sagas may be based on more than one actual person. He is the scourge of England and France. One highly probably link is to the real life character Ragnall.
Why did the Vikings die out?
The Viking age ended when the raids stopped. The year 1066 is frequently used as a convenient marker for the end of the Viking age. At the Battle of Stamford Bridge, the Norwegian king Haraldr harðráði was repulsed and killed as he attempted to reclaim a portion of England.
Where would Kattegat be?
According to the definition established in a 1932 convention signed by Denmark, Norway and Sweden (registered in the League of Nations Treaty Series 1933–1934), the northern boundary between the Kattegat and Skagerrak is found at the northernmost point of Skagen on Jutland.
Is Thor a Viking god?
Thor was one of the most important and famous gods in Norse mythology. He was the son of Odin and Fyorgyn, the earth goddess. Thor was considered the storm-weather god of sky and thunder and also a fertility god. His wife was Sif, a goddess also linked to fertility.
What was Sweden called before?
Before Sweden’s imperial expansion, Early Modern English used Swedeland. Sweden is derived through back-formation from Old English SwÄ“oþēod, which meant “people of the Swedes” (Old Norse SvĂĂľjóð, Latin Suetidi). This word is derived from Sweon/Sweonas (Old Norse Sviar, Latin Suiones).
What is the color of the cross in the Swedish flag?
The Nordic Cross design traditionally represents Christianity. The design and colors of the Swedish flag are believed to have been inspired by the present coat of arms of Sweden of 1442, which is blue divided quarterly by a cross pattée of gold, and modeled on the Danish flag.
What is the national animal of Sweden?
So, they are the same animal species. But then it gets really confusing, because in North America there is another member of the Deer family, the Wapiti, which is also called Elk. So, the Swedish Ă„lg (Alces alces) is a Moose in American English and an Elk in British English.
Is Sweden a developing or developed country?
Sweden is considered to be a developed country. In fact, Sweden is considered to be one of the most highly developed post-industrial societies in the world. According to the IMF, Sweden has a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of $46,420 as of 2016. It is ranked number 17 in the world in terms of GDP per capita.
What animals are found in Sweden?
Sweden is a great place if you are interested in wildlife. Besides moose, reindeer, deer and various birds, which you can spot without too much effort, Sweden is also home to predators such as the bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine.
Are there polar bears in Sweden?
Contrary to popular belief, we have no polar bears, or ice bears, walking in the streets. In fact, there are no wild polar bears in Sweden at all. The wildest animal you’re likely to see here is a moose, and the best chance to meet one is to run into it with your car.
What kind of bears are in Sweden?
The bears which inhabit the forests and mountains of Sweden are Brown Bears, Ursus arctos. In the wild, a male can weigh as much as 350 kg and a female up to 240 kg. No! The nearest polar bears are in Spitsbergen in Norway, almost 1000 miles north of Stockholm.
What are the main ethnic groups in Sweden?
ETHNIC GROUPS. The Swedes are primarily Scandinavians of Germanic origin. There is also a small the Lapp (Sami) population. The remaining 12% of the population is comprised of foreign-born or first-generation immigrants, including Finns in the north, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, and Turks.
What are the people of Sweden?
Swedes (Swedish: svenskar) are a Germanic ethnic group native to Sweden. They mostly inhabit Sweden and the other Nordic countries, in particular Finland, with a substantial diaspora in other countries, especially the United States.
Who is the richest man in Sweden?
1. Stefan Persson, (born 4 October 1947) is a Swedish business magnate. In March 2013, Forbes reported Persson’s net worth as $28 billion[2] making him the richest of Sweden’s 12 billionaires and the 17th richest person in the world; he has since dropped to number 80. Persson is the chairman and main shareholder in fashion company H&M, which was founded by his father Erling Persson in 1947. Persson took over the company from his father in 1982 and served as its manager until 1998. Persson also owns a substantial stake in the Swedish technology company Hexagon AB. Through his privately held real estate company Ramsbury Invest, Persson owns a large number of properties in London, Paris and Stockholm.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Persson had a net worth of US $31.9 billion in 2014, making him the 17th richest person in the world at the time.
How wealthy is Sweden?
Sweden ranks 11th in the world by nominal GDP per capita (53,218 US$). The top 10 countries by GDP (nominal) per capita are: Luxembourg, Switzerland, Macau, Norway, Ireland, Iceland, Qatar, United States, Singapore, Denmark, Australia.
What is the main source of income in Sweden?
Sweden is an export-oriented mixed economy featuring a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade.
What is the tax rate in Sweden?
Denmark’s top marginal effective income tax rate is 60.4 percent. Sweden’s is 56.4 percent. Norway’s top marginal tax rate is 39 percent. However, the rates are not necessarily the most important feature of the Scandinavian income tax systems.
What is the average salary in Sweden?
A typical Swedish man works in the manufacturing industry, earning an average of SEK 33,305 per month. The largest share of working Swedish women is found in the healthcare sector, where they have an average salary of SEK 24,176 per month.
Is health care free in Sweden?
The Swedish health care system is mainly government-funded and decentralized, although private health care also exists. The health care system in Sweden is financed primarily through taxes levied by county councils and municipalities.
What is the minimum salary in Sweden?
There is no general minimum wage, instead the companies sign agreements with the unions and these agreements set the minimum level depending on the employee’s age and experience.
Is there free college in Sweden?
Swedish colleges and universities are free. … College in Sweden is free. That’s not even all that common in Europe anymore. While the costs of education are far lower than in the US, over the past two decades sometimes-hefty fees have become a fact of life for many European students.
How much maternity leave do you get in Sweden?
For 390 of the days, parents are entitled to nearly 80 per cent of their normal pay. Benefits are calculated on a maximum monthly income of SEK 37,083, as of 2015. The remaining 90 days are paid at a flat rate. Those who are not in employment are also entitled to paid parental leave.
What is the race of Swedish people?
The majority of the population are Swedes or Swedish people. The Sweden Finns are a large ethnic minority comprising approximately 50,000 along the Swedish-Finnish border, and 450,000 first and second generation immigrated ethnic Finns, mainly living in the Mälaren Valley region.
How can I get permanent residence in Sweden?
Get a job offer from an employer in Sweden that will help you get a work permit. Once you move to Sweden, you’ll need to live and work there for 4 years. You will then be eligible for permanent residency when you renew the permit. Another year after that and you can apply for citizenship.
Do I need a visa to travel to Sweden from the US?
Many foreign nationals, including those from the United States, do not require a visa to enter Sweden if the intended length of stay is less than 90 days. But for stays that will exceed 90 days, or if the applicant is from a country that requires a visa to enter, it is necessary to obtain a Schengen visa.
How long does it take to become a citizen of Sweden?
To become a Swedish citizen, you must have been living in Sweden on a long-term basis for a certain period of time. As a rule you must have been resident in Sweden for a continuous period of five years.
How do you immigrate to Sweden?
Offer of employment. To obtain a work permit, you must have an offer of employment in Sweden.
The employer initiates the application.
You receive an email.
Enclose documents.
Pay and submit your application.
The Migration Agency processes the application.
Information needed for residence permit card.
Receiving the decision.
Do you need a visa to go to Sweden?
Visit the Embassy of Sweden website for the most current visa information. Sweden is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Sweden for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa.
Do I need a visa to go to Sweden from the US?
Sweden is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Sweden for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.
Can I get Swedish citizenship?
In order to apply for Swedish citizenship you must fulfil the requirements needed for right of residence, a residence card, or have been given a permanent residence permit. You can also apply if you have been given a permanent residence card, or have permanent right of residence in Sweden.
How can I become a citizen of Sweden?
To become a Swedish citizen you must:
be able to prove your identity.
have reached the age of 18.
have a permanent residence permit, a right of residence or residence card in Sweden.
have fulfilled the requirements for period of residence (lived in Sweden for a specified period)
have conducted yourself well in Sweden.
How do you become a citizen of Sweden?
To obtain Swedish citizenship you must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Have permanent right of residence in Sweden.
Have lived in Sweden for at least five consecutive years or two if you are a Nordic citizen.
Have no criminal record.
Is a child born in Sweden a Swedish citizen?
A child born after 1 April 2015 is always given Swedish citizenship if: one of the parents is a Swedish citizen. It does not matter if the child is born in Sweden or abroad. a deceased parent to the child was a Swedish citizen upon their death.
What is the nationality of Sweden?
Swedish nationality law determines entitlement to Swedish citizenship. Citizenship of Sweden is based primarily on the principle of jus sanguinis. In other words, citizenship is conferred primarily by birth to a Swedish parent, irrespective of place of birth.
Is dual citizenship allowed in Sweden?
If you become a Swedish citizen, you may retain your foreign citizenship if the other country permits it. Likewise, if you are a Swedish citizen and become a citizen of another country, you may keep your Swedish citizenship if the other country permits it. Some countries do not allow dual citizenship.
Is it hard to learn Swedish?
In addition, there are also a lot of grammatical similarities. So, for someone with a background in a Germanic language (German, Dutch, Flemish etc.), learning Swedish will not be that difficult. Probably the hardest thing to grasp about Swedish is how “intonated” the spoken language is.
Is Swedish easy to learn for English speakers?
Learning Swedish. … Speaking Swedish gives you access to the world of 9 million native speakers in Sweden and parts of Finland. Swedish is considered one of the easiest languages for a native English speaker to understand. The grammar and sentence structure are very similar to English, but with fewer irregularities.
Do all Swedes speak English?
Swedes really do like getting the chance to speak some English now and then. In general, people in Sweden believe that their language proficiency is as good or even better than the average English speaker. But do keep the following in your mind; Don’t try to simplify the language.
What is the main religion in Sweden?
The Church of Sweden (Swedish: Svenska kyrkan) is the largest Christian church in Sweden, and also the largest religious body. The church professes the Lutheran faith and is a member of the Porvoo Communion.
Featured image: Sweden (NordenBladet)
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