Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The lemming is the smallest but most important mammal in the Arctic regions - its num-
bers set the population limits for everything that preys on it.
Geology
Between 500 and 370 million years ago, the European and North American continental
plates collided, throwing up an impressive range of peaks called the Caledonian Moun-
tains, which were as tall as today's Himalayas. Their worn-down stubs form the 800km-
long Kjölen Mountains along the Norwegian border - among which is Kebnekaise
(2106m), Sweden's highest mountain.
Parts of Skåne and the islands of Öland and Gotland consist of flat limestone and sand-
stone deposits, probably laid down in a shallow sea east of the Caledonian Mountains dur-
ing the same period.
Lake Siljan, in the central south, marks the site of Europe's largest meteoric impact: the
3km-wide fireball hurtled into Sweden 360 million years ago, obliterating all life and cre-
ating a 75km ring-shaped crater.
HOW'S THE WEATHER?
Sweden has a mostly cool temperate climate, but the southern quarter of the country is
warmer than the rest. The average maximum temperature for July is 18°C in the south
and around 14°C in the north. Long hot periods in summer aren't unusual, with temperat-
ures soaring to over 30°C. The west coast is warmer than the east, thanks to the warming
waters of the Gulf Stream.
The harsh Lappland winter starts in October and ends in April, and temperatures can
plummet as low as -50°C. Snow can accumulate to depths of several metres in the north,
making for superb skiing, but snow depths in the south average only 20cm to 40cm. It
usually rains in winter in the far south (Skåne).
Norway's mountain ranges act as a rain break, so yearly rainfall is moderate. Swedish
summers are generally sunny, with only occasional rainfall, but August can be wet.
