Sweden is a long country that stretches from north to south and the contrasts between the various parts of the country are dramatic. Also the changes in the seasons are striking with a warm, light and pleasant summer, a colourful autumn and a long, dark, snowy winter followed by a bright, refreshing and vivid spring.

Sweden has a rich selection to offer people interested in nature, culture, sports, design, food, shopping etc. Swedish cultural policy has been successful in spreading culture to a wide population, with a well developed infrastructure of museums, libraries, theatres, cinemas and other cultural institutions across the country.

The last decade in particular has also seen the extensive internationalisation of Swedish cultural life, especially in popular culture, with Swedish artists, actors and fashion designers attracting worldwide attention in fields such as music, literature, art, design, fashion and media. Sweden also offers a large and varied selection of interesting restaurants, not just in the major cities but throughout the country, where people interested in gastronomy can enjoy quality Swedish ingredients prepared and served in the most modern and innovative of ways.