Sweden is the largest and most populous of the Nordic countries and has a roughly 1,000-year-long continuous history as a sovereign state.
It rose from backwardness and poverty into a highly developed post-industrial society, with a standard of living and life expectancy that rank among the highest in the world.
So let's take a closer look at how this constitutional monarchy looks today.
We at Bored Panda put together a list of photos that paint a pretty accurate picture of Sweden's land, people, and culture, so continue scrolling to check out just how unique it is. Just beware, you can also end up opening a new browser tab and buying some plane tickets...
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A Pharmacy I Stumbled Across In Stockholm. It Has Been A Pharmacy Since The 1800s And Maintained The Original Decor
What Is This, A Record Store For Mice? Well Yes It Is And Someone Built It Yesterday In The Swedish Town Of Lund
Roughly the same size as California, Sweden is usually divided into three regions: to the north is Norrland, the vast mountain and forest region; in central Sweden is Svealand, an expanse of lowland in the east and highland in the west; and in the south is Götaland, which includes the Småland highlands and, at the southern extremity, the small but rich plains of Skåne.
The Swedish coastline is mostly rocky, with hundreds of small, sometimes wooded islands. Ground by glacial ice in the same direction, they share a common rounded shape. This type of coast, known as skärgård, is found in both the east and the west, especially around Stockholm and Gothenburg.
Sunrise In Sweden
In Sweden, We Get A Text Message When Our Blood Has Helped A Patient. This Is My 3rd Time Donating
Stockholm Underground Stations Look Like Mystic Caves
About 15 percent of the country lies within the Arctic Circle, so from about late May until mid-July, sunlight lasts around the clock north of the Arctic Circle, but, even as far south as Stockholm, the nights during this period have only a few hours of semidarkness.
In mid-December, on the other hand, Stockholm experiences only about 5.5 hours of daylight, and areas in the far north remain in nearly 20 hours of total darkness, relieved by a mere 4 hours of twilight.
Northern Lights Over My House In Luleå, Sweden
Town Of Kiruna, Sweden
This "No Cars Allowed" Sign In Sweden
Nappies In Sweden Have A Father On The Packaging
The north-to-south extension of the country and the higher elevation of the northern part creates regional differences in winter climate.
The northern interior receives heavy snowfall for up to eight months of the year and has severe temperatures that drop as low as −22 to −40 °F (−30 to −40 °C).
The average January temperature in Haparanda, for example, at the head of the Gulf of Bothnia is 10 °F (−12 °C). Sea ice covers the Gulf of Bothnia from November to May. But in southern Sweden, snowfall is irregular and the average January temperatures range between 23 and 32 °F (−5 and 0 °C). Coastal waters seldom freeze.
Summer temperatures in the country vary far less, although summer is much shorter in the north.
Rare Phenomenon Called Nacreous Clouds. They Are Formed High Up In The Atmosphere, At An Altitude Of 30 Kilometers. The Picture Is Taken In Jamtland, Sweden
Shopping Carts In Sweden Have A Map Of The Supermarket
A Stand For Bikers To Hold On To While Waiting For The Traffic Lights In Sweden
In Sweden They Sell Chocolate Next To Pads
Although different groups of immigrants have influenced Swedish culture through the centuries, the population has been quite homogeneous, both ethnically and religiously.
It's only since World War II that notable change has occurred. From 1970 to the early 1990s, net immigration accounted for about three-fourths of the country's population growth, and by far, most of the outsiders came from the neighboring Nordic countries, with which Sweden shares a common labor market.
This Is A "Wall Of Kindness" In Stockholm, Sweden. Where People Can Leave Clothes, And Take Clothes If They Need Them, During The Cold Months Of Winter
I am surprised by the english title. Anyway, the swedish reads: "take one jacket if you need (behoove) - give one jacket if you have over". If you only speak english, try learn swedish, it's very similar.
Some Mice Have Opened A Miniature Shop (70 X 30 Cm) In Malmö, Sweden
Sweden Has The Largest Scale Model Of The Solar System In The World Stretching 950km Across The Country
The Speed Camera Lottery In Stockholm, Sweden. Drive At Or Under The Speed Limit And You'll Be Entered Into A Lottery. The Prize Fund Comes From The Fines That Speeders Pay
Average speed reduced from 32 km/h to 25 km/h (a reduction of 22%).
In the 1980s, Sweden began to receive an increasing number of asylum seekers from Asia and Africa, including countries such as Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Eritrea, and Somalia, as well as from Latin America that were suffering under repressive governments.
Then, from 2010 to 2014, the number of people seeking asylum in Sweden expanded dramatically, reaching more than 80,000 in 2014, and that number doubled to more than 160,000 in 2015. Thus, by 2016, one in six Swedish residents had been born outside the country, and Sweden, experiencing the mass influx of migrants, enacted new and more stringent immigration restrictions.
Øresund Bridge Tunnel, Connecting Sweden To Denmark
I live in Denmark, the other side of the bridge/tunnel. We call people from Sweden and Norway, our brothers❤
Venue In Sweden Called Dalhalla. Made From An Old Quarry
Well that's a positive spin on a large manmade hole in the ground. Lol
Twinkies And Pop-Tarts In Swedish "Disgusting Food Museum"
In Sweden Trees Can Send Texts When They Need Water Using An Implanted Moisture Sensor
Whether we're talking about IKEA or even H&M, Swedish design is one of the country's main exports and has permeated the world consciousness in the last century.
It is known for its emphasis on sustainability and functionality; Swedes like things to look good, but they also like to keep it simple.
But if you're visiting Sweden and want to bring back a little local design with you, look out for more unique finds from local artists, interior designers, and smaller fashion labels. In Stockholm, you can visit the Design District located in the trendy Södermalm neighborhood.
“Vapenkassuns” Are Armories Scattered Across Sweden In The Event That The USSR Would Ever Attack
Civil commanders would open the caches and grab weapons, armor, supplies, etc to enact “total defense” and protect Sweden.
Street Art, Sweden
This Is A Solitary Confinement Cell From The Toughest Prison In Sweden
Yeah but it works. Scandinavian countries have lowest recidivism rate in Europe (if not in the World). Yet we still believe that prison life should be as gard and traumatising as possible, while it is proven that once you go to prison you can never get your life fully on track.
A Complaints Drop-Off Box For The City Of Gothenburg, Sweden
However, if you do not have the opportunity to go to Sweden, there is a way you can enjoy it at home. Well, kinda.
Swedish-produced or Swedish-written songs (including top British and American hits) have been entering the charts across the world for years.
Ever since their win at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, ABBA has paved the way for more Swedish acts, including Roxette, Robyn, Lykke Li, Avicii, and more.
So if you want to experience something Nordic, you can start with their work!
Here's A Picture Of What Swedish Fika Looks Like. Fika Is A Concept In Swedish Culture That Means "To Have Coffee, Cake, And Chit-Chat"
It's a big part of the culture and most companies have two daily Fika breaks at 9 am and 3 pm.
Spotted In Sweden
3,500-Year-Old Petroglyphs Found In Tanum, Sweden. Some Of The Carvings Are Boats, Animals, People And Mythological Creatures
Mchive, Sweden: The World's Smallest McDonald's Aims To Save Bees
Trainy Mctrainface, Christened Today In Gothenburg, Sweden
I like the way the swedes' english is so good that they make english jokes.
A Beautiful Afternoon Above The Swedish West Coast. Gullholmen, Sweden
The Air Vents On A Subway In Stockholm Have A Hidden Pacman Easter Egg
The Only Taxidermied Blue Whale In The World Located In Gothenburg, Sweden
A couple got caught “making love” inside the creature, so now they open the mouth only on special occasions.
I guess that was a "special occasion" too. Lol....also why would you of all places.
The Guardians
At a campsite in Näsåker, Sweden, these figures can be seen sitting around a fire (at night a lamp with an orange glow can be seen in the campfire).
They are called "Väktarna" which means "The Guardians".
Järnpojke, A Little Boy Looking At The Moon, The Smallest Public Monument In Stockholm At 15 Centemeters (5.9 Inches). Created By Liss Eriksson
Coolest Hotel Ever. Report From An Ice Hotel, Which Turns Out To Be Less Boring Than I Expected
I bloody love this place, I've been 3 times, and have every intention of going again
This McDonalds In Sweden Has A "McSki", Instead Of A Drive Thru. In Fact, It’s The Only One
In Half Moon Bay in California there used to be a fast food place (Taco Bell I think) with only a walk-through (no drive thru) for surfers.
Santa Has A Reserved Parking Spot At This IKEA In Sweden
Bus Stop In Sweden. Talk About Personal Space
Yeah well . They aren't really that into strangers. They mind their own business which makes it one of the places i want to move to
Internet Speed In Sweden
I'm at 2,4 right now :D *cries in Czech and hopes this comment will get through
I believe a unicorn is supposed to be like the perfect opportunity to invest in, but are rare hence the term unicorn.
Load More Replies...Mine literally said zero… 4E7D9CBB-1...4-jpeg.jpg
Load More Replies...Those are nice speeds. I'm getting just over 400 and it's probably costing me more.
Holy cow! I live in Wisconsin and I would have to pay dearly for that much. My old service provided only 10 Mbps!
We are lucky and excited to hit 10 in southern Missouri, USA.
Wow, that's a lot. My WiFi at home never even hits 100, and I don't live on a remote area, but in a fairly big city (Utrecht).
Load More Replies...Mine is a PITIFUL 89.9 down and 35.7 up---with what I pay Xfinity, it should be 1000! I cry every month when I have to pay the bill. We are lucky to have cable TV and Internet. The folks we purchased the ranch from had to pay to have the lines run up a mountain foothill off famous Rt. 66 (I know it cost a small fortune). Our nearest neighbors...way down the private road, have to have DSL or worse, satellite. Heck UPS and FedEx couldn't figure out where we were, so they put the packages in a large plastic bag, and hung it on trees down from our drive...even delivering to a house on a street with a similar name. We gave them our phone number. FINALLY they figured it out. I will say I am shocked at the high speeds this person sees. WOW!
Treehotel - Unique Treerooms With Contemporary Design In The Nature In Harads, Near The Lule River, Sweden
Hanging In A Pizzeria In Stockholm, Sweden
In Sweden, If You Work For The State For 30 Years You Receive A Gold Medal
real gold ? because in France, we also have one for 20, 30, 35 and 40 years of work, but it is certainly not gold :D
University Of Uppsala's Anatomical Theatre Where Bodies Were Dissected In Front Of An Audience (Built In 1663, Sweden)
Sweden Has Started Selling Portable Ashtrays That Completely Seal And Don’t Smell At Local Gas Stations To Minimize Littering
In Sweden We Celebrate Something We Call Midsommar On Friday 19th (Midsummer)
In Sweden We Have Trash Cans With WiFi
Valborg In Stockholm. Large Bonfires Are Lit Across The Country As Symbols Of The Passing Of Winter And The Approach To Spring
Unfortunately there is a end of term tradition in Sweden where a vast amount of cars are set ablaze.
Sweden Has Baby Stroller Parking Spots
Oh, this is brilliant! And I bet people don't have to worry about it being stolen.
This Art Installation In A Subway Entrance In Sweden
Whenever I see these things I always feel like my country is sooo boring and bland.
There Is A Tradition In Malmö, Limhamn Where Divers Put Down These Clowns And Other Stuff Just To Mess With The New Divers
This National Park In Sweden Refused To Cut Trees In The Way Of The Bridge So They Just Left The Trees In The Way
This Crosswalk In Stockholm
Saw Someone Else From Sweden Post One Of These So Thought I'd Share One I Saw In Skånes Part Of Sweden. Mices Own Pharmacy
One Of The City's Smallest Residential Buildings In Stockholm, Sweden
In Sweden There Is A Huge Straw Goat Known As Gävlebocken (The Gävle Goat) Which Gets Burned Down Or Destroyed By People Almost Every Year
As of today, it has survived for five years in a row which is a new record.
Like ten years ago an American tourist burned it down because someone told him it was a tradition. He got huge fines.
The Kinnevik Tree In Stockholm Is The Tallest "Real" Christmas Tree In The World
In Sweden, We Watch Donald Duck Every Christmas Eve At 15:00
I googled this as I was thinking 'why?' and the end of this article on it seems to sum it up nicely 😊 "For many Swedes, there is something comforting about knowing that every year there is one hour, on one day, when you sit down with everyone in your family and just be together. “People always want to change everything, and make everything new,” Feldreich, Sweden’s Jiminy Cricket, told the Swedish newspaper Länstidningen in 2008. “And then, like in a fairy tale from when we were kids, there’s something familiar.” Kalle Anka, he said, “offers security in a confusing world.”
The Oldest Piece Of Furniture In Sweden, Kungsårabänken, A Sofa Dating From The Viking Age (1000-1100 A.D.)
Carina Sees Everything, So Never Forget To Recycle
Borders - Here's Sweden & Norway At Winter
Here In Sweden, The Ice-Cream Truck Goes Around. All. Year. Long
Yay, there's no specific season for ice cream! Ice cream in winter is good too!
Grodkällan Lake In The Middle Of The Forest In Northern Sweden
People Like Their Bikes In Uppsala, Sweden
I love that they're old fashioned bikes too - not racing/road bikes. It's like that in The Netherlands too :)
The Grass Carpet Leading To The Door Of This Old Building In Stockholm
Viking Runestone Overlooking A Golf Course – Risbyle, Sweden
I love how something so trivial like a golf course has an ancient and historic stone just next to it.
Sweden Has The Densest Population Of Moose In The World. Although 300 000 To 400 000 Of Moose Inhabit Sweden It Can Still Be Difficult To See A Moose In The Wild
About 100 000 of them are killed in autumn, and the same number is born each spring, keeping the summer population rather stable.
Oh you should be happy about not being face to face with wild moose, they'll f**k you up. Freaking terrifying they are
10 Minutes From Where I Live Lies Anundshög. One Of The Oldest Viking Graves In The World. It's Located In Västerås, Sweden
LED Bathroom Handles At Train Station In Sweden Change Colors Based On Occupancy
Crazy Flooring Between Two Shops In Gothenburg, Sweden
Couple Friendly Benches In Sweden
Fat Tuesday In Sweden Today. Time To Overeat And Celebrate This Thing We Call "Semla"
Every year we celebrate this day we call "fettisdagen" or fat Tuesday. This holiday dates back to the year 1594 and occurs 47 days before easter every year. The name of the day comes from all the fat food you'll eat during this day before the fasting begins till the easter holiday starts. The American version of our fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras.
The tradition in Sweden is to eat this pastry during this day. It's called Semla and as the day suggests it's filled with calories. It's made by a simple bun either just white flour or with added cardamom (which is my favorite). Then you scoop out the bottom half and fill it with almond cream. Top it off with whipped cream and lid with added icing sugar. IT'S SO DELICIOUS! If you go to Sweden during this time you really have to try Semla! Everyone is crazy about it and the pastry shops with the best semla usually have queues going outside the shops.
Candy In Sweden. This Is A Common Candy Section That Exists In Every Supermarket In Sweden
Before the checkout, you are surrounded by sweets. You have to pass this section before going to the checkouts to the left. It's all candy.
In Sweden They Have A Crossing For Ducks And A Caution Not To Hit Them
This "Mouse Barbershop" I Found In Malmö, Sweden
A 1st Pilot “Indoor Bus Stop” Here In Gothenburg. With Connected Cafe, Informal Space, Chargers, And Charging For The New Pilot Electric Buses
Stockholm Metro Art Is Pretty Neat
The Mother Of All Round Buildings: Globen, Stockholm
It is the largest hemispherical construction in the world. In the Swedish Solar System, it represents the Sun.
"The Umbrella Project" In Stockholm, Sweden
In A Swedish IKEA I Found Pillows With Coordinates On Them. These Coordinates Lead To A Small Fishing Village In Sweden
Local Supermarket Trying To Troll Tourists. It's An Acquired Taste
Found This In A Hotel In Sweden. Don't Make Me Get The Can Opener
This Hospital In Sweden Has Dots On The Floor To Indicate Which Way The Doors Open For Their Patients
All doors should open outwards so that in case of an emergency and the patient has fallen over in front of the door the staff can still open the door and help the person.
Sweden Is Home To The World's Largest Storage Of Wood
A Road Sign Warns Drivers That They May Encounter Pedestrians Who Are Deeply Absorbed In Their Smartphones, In Stockholm, Sweden
In Sweden, You Can Stand In Three Countries At The Same Time. Treriksröset - The Place Where Norway, Finland And Sweden Meet
One Of The Key Details In Sustainable Community Design Here In Sweden - Underground Separated Waste Management Vacuum Tubes
In A Swedish Museum, They Have Benches That Charge Your Phone Wirelessly And Give Free WiFi
My Friend Sent Me This Picture Of Food In Swedish Maternity Hospitals, I Just Wanted To Know If The Food Is Like This Because I Can't Believe It
Food in our Serbian maternity hospitals are just piece of bread with wurst on the side
It actually is like that! Also when you just go to the for an injury you have a selection of like for different menu choices five times per day (and it's free)
Stayed In A Boeing 747 Converted To Hostel At Arlanda Airport, Sweden (Jumbo Stay)
My Hometown (Örebro, Sweden) Set Up What They’re Saying Is The Biggest Gaming Screen In The World On The Wall Of Our City’s Castle
But wait, where do you have to play in order to have your gameplay streaming on the huge screen?
These Completely Round Houses In Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden’s Festive Drink Of Choice Is A Carbonated Beverage Known As Julmust
Only In Sweden You Can Find A Floating House
Chessboards On The Tables In Parks
The Chinese Pavilion, Located On The Drottningholm Palace Grounds In Stockholm, Sweden. It Is A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Spreadable Cheese Selection At A Swedish Grocery Store
I Visited A Model Settlement In Sweden. Saw This, And My Mind Instantly Went To The Game Valheim
You Could Test A Torture Device Spanish Donkey In Stockholm's Army Museum
Swedish Ads Are On A Different Level. This Is Posted All Over Swedish Public Transport. What The Hell
yes this was an advert for a programmer. If you can solve the algorithm it gives you the correct URL.
Female Crossing Sign Spotted In Southern Sweden (Skåne)
The Twisting Torso In Malmo, Sweden Has 9 Identical Sections Which Are Twisted Slightly To Make It Twisted
What Is The Front Part Of The Toilet And What's Its Purpose? I Found It In Northern Sweden
Swedish Shopping Cart Has Magnetic Wheels So It Doesn't Roll Down The Escalator
This Is What You May Get From Santa If You’ve Been Bad Here In Sweden
The Most Swedish Pizza There Is. Pineapple, Banana, Curry
Since Spain Does Nutella Pizza, And Apparently Italians Do Too. I Present You This Swedish Mutant. Yes, That Is Gold
Thanks, interesting. This post can be summed up as: swedes are super nice and really care for mice, and are technologically advanced.
And you are all very welcome to visit us! We might seem a bit stand-offish at first but we actually like most people :)
What’s a crime I can commit to get sent to that self-isolation paradise?
Load More Replies...Wowzers Sweden looks fantastic, so many ideas to make life less hard. I'm a big believer in higher taxes to fund a better life for all.
It’s a downright bargain, that’s what it is. I LOVE paying taxes; I know what I get for them, and I know what other people get for them. I have no problem what so ever to help pay for people who can’t themselves - take my money and keep ensuring equality please. Take mah moneh!
Load More Replies...It's a shame the Swedish Smorgastarta has not been mentioned. It's a traditional festive bread cake ingrediencies include: 1 whole jar of mayonnaise, a loaf of bread, salmon, prawns, fish paste. Have a google they are epic.
Just looked it up - my idea of heaven. Yes please!
Load More Replies...i want to move there so badly. ever since I did a report on Sweden for school I've been fascinated by how just amazing they are.
Sweden is soooo much cooler and more charming than Denmark. As a Dane, I resent that. ;)
Naah - I love being a Swede but there’s nothing wrong with Denmark; nothing we don’t have too in one form or another. At least you’re not guilty of goddamned surströmming - that one is solely on us.
Load More Replies...What's the thing about not giving food to visitors? If cake is offered I'm happy. Fika!!
It’s kind of made up. Of course we feed visitors - someone had a bad experience with a weirdo that happened to be a swede and it spiralled from there; combined with our habit of usually checking with parents before feeding their kids when they’re over, people went off their rockers and assumed Swedes starves all guests at all times, sometimes for weeks. It’s not quite true.
Load More Replies...Yes we have our share of problems and we’re not perfect, but we are a country people flee to instead of flee from. I love my country and would never move from here except maybe for a short while. I’ve lived in a couple of other countries and always missed Sweden even if I’ve enjoyed those other countries. Welcome here, y’all! 💙💛💙
Everything in Sweden is a pleasure to be there and especially to look at!
Those prison cells are nicer than most American homes *cries in freedom*
My grandfather's ancestors all came from one small town - Hackas. Ancestry.com insists that they are from Norway, which would make my great-grandfather roll in his grave.
I look at this amazing stuff and think about how expensive it all is.
That's ok, Finland is lovely :) do a Why Finland is so great post, it's free, I challenge you.
Load More Replies...Thanks, interesting. This post can be summed up as: swedes are super nice and really care for mice, and are technologically advanced.
And you are all very welcome to visit us! We might seem a bit stand-offish at first but we actually like most people :)
What’s a crime I can commit to get sent to that self-isolation paradise?
Load More Replies...Wowzers Sweden looks fantastic, so many ideas to make life less hard. I'm a big believer in higher taxes to fund a better life for all.
It’s a downright bargain, that’s what it is. I LOVE paying taxes; I know what I get for them, and I know what other people get for them. I have no problem what so ever to help pay for people who can’t themselves - take my money and keep ensuring equality please. Take mah moneh!
Load More Replies...It's a shame the Swedish Smorgastarta has not been mentioned. It's a traditional festive bread cake ingrediencies include: 1 whole jar of mayonnaise, a loaf of bread, salmon, prawns, fish paste. Have a google they are epic.
Just looked it up - my idea of heaven. Yes please!
Load More Replies...i want to move there so badly. ever since I did a report on Sweden for school I've been fascinated by how just amazing they are.
Sweden is soooo much cooler and more charming than Denmark. As a Dane, I resent that. ;)
Naah - I love being a Swede but there’s nothing wrong with Denmark; nothing we don’t have too in one form or another. At least you’re not guilty of goddamned surströmming - that one is solely on us.
Load More Replies...What's the thing about not giving food to visitors? If cake is offered I'm happy. Fika!!
It’s kind of made up. Of course we feed visitors - someone had a bad experience with a weirdo that happened to be a swede and it spiralled from there; combined with our habit of usually checking with parents before feeding their kids when they’re over, people went off their rockers and assumed Swedes starves all guests at all times, sometimes for weeks. It’s not quite true.
Load More Replies...Yes we have our share of problems and we’re not perfect, but we are a country people flee to instead of flee from. I love my country and would never move from here except maybe for a short while. I’ve lived in a couple of other countries and always missed Sweden even if I’ve enjoyed those other countries. Welcome here, y’all! 💙💛💙
Everything in Sweden is a pleasure to be there and especially to look at!
Those prison cells are nicer than most American homes *cries in freedom*
My grandfather's ancestors all came from one small town - Hackas. Ancestry.com insists that they are from Norway, which would make my great-grandfather roll in his grave.
I look at this amazing stuff and think about how expensive it all is.
That's ok, Finland is lovely :) do a Why Finland is so great post, it's free, I challenge you.
Load More Replies...