Thousands of islands dot Sweden's coastline. In summer, people flock to them for quiet vacations full of sun and sea. If you're in the neighborhood, someone is likely to invite you in for a platter of fresh herring, boiled potatoes and lingonberries. Or you might get the boiled potatoes and lingonberries with Swedish meatballs--a treat that you can now taste in many corners of the world at your local IKEA.

In winter, the islands turn white with snow and ice just as the rest of the country does. But the hearts of the Swedish people are full of warmth and humor whatever the season. Many of them are tall and blond, reminding you of their Viking forefathers, but you'll find a mixture of others colorings in this cosmopolitan country from which it's hard to stay away.

Sweden lies at the top of the Baltic Sea.	The blue and gold of the Swedish flag remind you of blue skies and golden wildflowers.

 
 
In a Nutshell...