Sweden is the largest Nordic country, stretching from southern farmland to Arctic tundra, with a heritage of Viking explorers, modern design icons and innovations from the safety match to Spotify.
Geography & landscape
Sweden sits in Northern Europe, in the northern hemisphere of Europe. With an area of approximately 450,295 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the cold-temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Stockholm, lies near coordinates 62°, 15°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Europe, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Northern Europe region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Sweden.
People & society
The population of Sweden is around 10.5M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Swedish, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Sweden is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Stockholm, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Stockholm and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Sweden shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Sweden through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Stockholm, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +46, and clocks are set to the CET (UTC+1) time zone. ISO standards identify Sweden as SE (alpha-2) and SWE (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇸🇪, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Stockholm | — |
| Continent | Europe | — |
| Sub-region | Northern Europe | — |
| Population | 10.5M | people |
| Area | 450,295 | km² |
| Currency | Swedish Krona (SEK) | — |
| Calling code | +46 | international dialling |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | SE | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | SWE | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 62 | degrees |
| Longitude | 15 | degrees |
Did you know?
Sweden recycles roughly 99% of its household waste — so successfully that it imports rubbish from neighbouring countries to fuel its incinerators.
