Interesting Facts about Sweden - Fun Facts about Sweden

Sweden is a Nordic country, situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It claims the distinction of being the 21^st most visited country in the world, as per 2006 CIA World Factbook. Tourists come here from various corners of the world, to explore its rich culture and historical legacy. Sweden is home to a large number of World Heritage Sites and also boats of mesmerizing natural beauty. The picturesque coastline and tranquil islands of the country only add to its attraction, luring visitors within its boundaries. The excellent hiking trails and the exotic wilderness of Sweden enhance the fun. In the following lines, we have listed some fun and interesting facts about Sweden.

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Interesting Facts about Sweden

The official name of Sweden is ‘The Kingdom of Sweden’. The official language of the country is Swedish.
Sweden follows Constitutional monarchy and Parliamentary democracy.
Sweden is situated in northern Europe, with its capital being Stockholm. Sweden is surrounded by Lake Mälaren on the west and the Baltic Sea on the east.
Sweden is the 5th largest European country, in terms of land area, after Russia, Ukraine, France and Spain. Sweden has an area of approximately 449,964 sq. km.
Sweden spreads on an area of approximately 449,964 sq. km (173,732 sq. mi). It stands.
The most prominent religion in Sweden is Lutheran, followed by Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Baptism, Jewish, Buddhism and Islam.
All the Tsars of Russia till the last one, Nicholas II, were of Swedish Viking descent.
Left-hand driving rule was followed in Sweden, till 1965. Presently, the country follows right-hand system of driving.
On an average, Swedish women have their first child at 30 years.
Some of the greatest pop bands and singers are Swedish, viz. Abba, Roxette, Ace of Base, A*Teens, The Cardigans, Robyn, etc.
Sweden boasts of having one of the highest life expectancies and one of the lowest birth rates in the world.
Sweden has the highest number of McDonald restaurants, per capita, in Europe.
Sweden has the highest number of nuclear plants, per capita.
Sweden has the highest percentage of working mothers in the developed world and its people spend the longest time in tertiary education.
Sweden is second most technologically advanced country in Europe.
Sweden ranked as the second best country, in 2007 UNICEF report on child well-being in rich countries, after Netherlands.
Sweden ranked second in the European Union and fifth in the world, in terms of Human Development Index, in 2006.
Sweden was the first country to grant suffrage for (married) women in local elections.
The first ice hotel of the world was built near the village of Jukkasjärvi, in Kiruna district of Sweden.
The Goths, the Suevirs and the Norses (Vikings) trace their origin back to Sweden, making it the homeland of the Germanic ethnicity and culture.
The income inequality in Sweden was found to be the second lowest in Europe, in 2006, next only to Denmark.
The largest hemispherical building in the world, ‘The Stockholm Globe Arena’, is in Sweden. It is also the ‘largest scale model of the Solar System’ in the world.
The largest shopping mall of Europe is ‘Nordstan’, in Gothenburg.
The proportion of personal computers, per capita, in Sweden is the highest in Europe.
Till 2005, Sweden had won 588 (winter and summer) Olympic medals.
Till 2006, Sweden had 27 Nobel prizes, the 5^th highest in the world.
Swedes have been known for a number of inventions, including astronomical lens, zipper, marine propeller, refrigerator, computer mouse and pace-maker.
The Nobel Prizes were founded by Alfred Nobel, a Swede who invented dynamite in 1866.
The favorite dish of Swedes usually comprises of meatballs, with potatoes and lingonberry sauce.
A popular souvenir in Sweden is the road sign for moose-crossing. Surprisingly, a large number of these signs are stolen from Swedish roads every year.
Sweden is popularly known as ‘The Land of the Midnight Sun’ and ‘The Land of the Vikings’.

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