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SWEDEN

Sweden, officially Konungariket Sverige (Kingdom of Sweden), constitutional monarchy in northern Europe, occupying the eastern portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is bounded on the north and west by Norway, on the northeast by Finland, on the east by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea, and on the southwest by the Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Öresund straits. Sweden includes the islands of Gotland and Öland in the Baltic Sea. It is the fifth largest country in Europe. The area of Sweden is 449,964 sq km (173,732 sq mi). Stockholm is the country's capital and largest city.

II. Land and Resources

The extreme distance from north to south in Sweden is about 1,575 km (about 980 mi), and from east to west about 500 km (about 310 mi). The coastline totals about 3,220 km (about 2,000 mi) in length. Sweden may be divided into six topographical regions. In the northwestern section are extensions of the Mountains, which form part of the boundary with Norway. The highest point in the range, and the highest point in Sweden, is atop Mount Kebnekaise (2,111 m/6,926 ft). To the east of the mountains is a long plateau, which slopes east to a coastal plain bordering the Gulf of Bothnia. The mountains of northern Sweden are the source of many rivers, which flow southeast to the Gulf of Bothnia. These rivers, which often have elongated lakes and a number of falls and rapids, constitute a valuable source of waterpower. The principal rivers are the Ångermanälven, Dalälven, Trysilelva, Ume älven, and Torneälven.

In south central Sweden is a lowland with many lakes, including the largest lakes in the country, Lake Vänern and Lake Vättern. An upland region, known as the Småland highlands, is located south of the lowland. The plains of Skåne occupy the southeastern tip of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The lowest elevation point is sea level along the coast.

Source: http://encarta.msn.com/find/concise.asp?ti=761563138&sid=1#s1