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| Arc.
Sweden Facts |
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Land Area |
90,000 square miles |
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Population |
200,000 |
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Indigenous Groups |
Saami (pop. 17,000) |
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Language |
Swedish, Finnish,
Saami |
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Govt. |
Constl. monarchy
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Mineral Resources |
Iron, copper, silver,
lead, & zinc |
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Largest City |
Jokkmokk (pop. 10,000) |
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Economy |
Timber products,
mining, hydropower, agriculture, tourism |
| Highest
Point |
Mount
Kebne (6,926 ft) |
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The Swedish name for the country,
Sverige, comes from Svearike, meaning the kingdom
of the Svear.
People in northern Sweden eat
fewer vegetables and drink less wine, but eat more
fat and drink more alcoholic beverages than other
Swedes. They also eat more reindeer meat.
Iron ore deposits in Arctic Sweden
are estimated at 2.6 billion U.S. tons. |
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Arctic Sweden
Arctic Sweden is a region of forest, wetland, and tundra landscape.
Large peat marshes cover 40% of the land area making it difficult
for human habitation. In fact, only 0.5% of the region is used for
agriculture or human settlement. The population has increased during
this century, however, as forestry products, hydroelectric power,
and mineral resources are starting to be more heavily exploited. Northwestern
Sweden is crossed by an ancient mountain chain with Mount Kebne rising
to Sweden's high point. The remainder of Norrland, the region north
of about latitude 60 degrees north is a southeast-sloping plateau
that rises to between 650 and 1,640 feet. Many narrow valley lakes
occur along rivers in Norrland, and almost 100,000 smaller lakes occupy
hollows in the uneven glacial moraines. Forests are predominantly
coniferous (pines and spruces) with mountain birch and dwarf birch
growing in colder upland areas. Arctic tundra covers the highest elevations.
The most important mining areas are located at Kiruna and
Gallivare in the north, where the ores have an iron content of 60-65%.
Copper, silver, lead, zinc, and arsenic occur near the Boliden area
in Norrland. Timber and water resources are abundant with the latter
being much used for hydroelectric power.
Aside from the Saami, the Arctic part of Sweden is mostly populated
by Swedes, with a sizable Finnish-speaking minority. The way of
life has a stronger emphasis on the use of natural resources than
in southern Sweden. For example, hunting and fishing are important
activities. People are more likely to work in mining, electricity,
water services, forestry, or public services. Dairy farming is the
main agricultural activity, but farming has declined drastically
since earlier in this century.
In Swedish Lapland, the climate is continental, with warmer summers
than along the coast, but considerably colder winters. The mountain
regions remain cool in summer. In January temperatures average 7.5°
F at Jokkmokk (north of the Arctic Circle). In July, when many hours
of sunshine are recorded in the north and nearly 24 hours of continuous
daylight north of the Arctic Circle, the temperature variation is
minimal. July temperatures average 59° F at Jokkmokk. Precipitation
averages 24 inches. Snow remains on the ground for an average of
250 days in the northwest mountains.
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