View source for Geography of Sweden

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Country geography
| map = EU-Sweden.svg
| continent = [[Europe]]
| region = [[Scandinavia]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|62|00|N|15|00|E|type:country}}
| area ranking = 55th
| km area = 450295
| percent land         = 
| percent water        = 8.69
| km coastline         = 3218
| borders              = [[Norway]] (non-EU) {{convert|1666|km|abbr=on}}<br>[[Finland]] {{convert|545|km|abbr=on}}<br>[[Denmark]] {{convert|118| km | abbr=on}}<br>[[Latvia]] {{convert|100|km| abbr=on}}<br>[[Poland]] {{convert| 100|km| abbr=on}}<br>[[Russia]] (non-EU)(EEZ)(Kaliningrad) {{convert|15|km|abbr=on}}<br>[[Lithuania]] {{convert| 18| km| abbr=on}}<br>[[Germany]] {{convert | 29 | km| abbr=on}}<br>[[Estonia]] {{convert | 30 | km| abbr=on}}
| highest point        = [[Kebnekaise]] {{convert|2097|m|abbr=on}}
| lowest point         = [[Kristianstad]] {{convert| −2.41|m|abbr=on}}
| longest river        = [[Klarälven]]-[[Göta älv]] {{convert|720|km|abbr=on}}
| largest lake         = [[Vänern]] {{convert|5648|km2|abbr=on}}
| climate              = [[Temperate climate|Temperate]] to [[subarctic climate|subarctic]]
| terrain              = Flat [[Upland and lowland|lowlands]], [[mountain]]s
| natural resources    = [[Iron]], [[copper]], [[lead]], [[zinc]], [[gold]], [[silver]], [[tungsten]], [[uranium]], [[arsenic]], [[feldspar]], [[lumber|timber]], [[hydropower]]
| natural hazards      = [[Ice floe]]
| environmental issues = [[Acid rain]]s, [[eutrophication]]
| exclusive economic zone = {{convert|160,885|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
}}

[[Sweden]] is a country in [[Northern Europe]] on the [[Scandinavia]]n Peninsula. It borders [[Norway]] to the west (which is one of Sweden’s non-[[European Union|EU]] neighbours); [[Finland]] to the northeast; and the [[Baltic Sea]] and [[Gulf of Bothnia]] to the south and east. At {{convert|450295|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe, the fifth largest in Europe, and the 55th largest country in the world.

Sweden has a {{convert|3218|km|abbr=on}} long coastline on its east, and the [[Scandinavian mountain chain]] (Skanderna) on its western border, separating it from Norway. It has maritime borders with [[Denmark]], [[Germany]], [[Poland]], [[Russia]] (another non-[[European Union|EU]] neighbour) [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]], and it is also linked to [[Denmark]] (southwest) by the [[Øresund Bridge|Öresund bridge]]. It has an [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|160,885|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.

== Terrain ==
[[File:Map of Sweden Cities (polar stereographic).png|left|thumb|upright|Map of Sweden]]

Much of Sweden is heavily forested, with 69%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sweden.se/nature/preserving-nature-in-sweden/ |title=Swedes love nature |publisher=sweden.se |date=2014-08-20 |access-date=2014-08-26 |archive-date=2014-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805005950/https://sweden.se/nature/preserving-nature-in-sweden/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> of the country being forest and woodland, while farmland constitutes only 8% of land use.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.scb.se/en_/Finding-statistics/Statistics-by-subject-area/Environment/Land-use/Land-use-in-Sweden/Aktuell-Pong/12857/Behallare-for-Press/Land-use-in-Sweden-2010/|title=Land use in Sweden 2010|work=Statistiska Centralbyrån|access-date=2018-02-09|language=sv}}</ref> Sweden consists of 39,960&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> 
of water area, constituting around 95,700 lakes.<ref>[http://www.smhi.se/sgn0102/n0204/dbsjo01.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619172338/http://www.smhi.se/sgn0102/n0204/dbsjo01.htm|date=June 19, 2009}}</ref>{{efn-ua|The great number of lakes in southern Sweden could according to [[Alfred Gabriel Nathorst]] be indebted to the creation of basins due to the stripping of an irregular mantle of [[weathering|weathered rock]] by [[glacier erosion]].<ref name=Karnaetal1999>{{cite book |last1=Lidmar-Bergström |first1=K. |last2=Olsson |first2=S.|last3=Roaldset |first3=E.|author-link=Karna Lidmar-Bergström |date=1999 |chapter= Relief features and palaeoweathering remnants in formerly glaciated Scandinavian basement areas |title=Palaeoweathering, Palaeosurfaces and Related Continental Deposits |editor-last=Thiry |editor-first=Médard |editor-last2=Simon-Coinçon |editor-first2=Régine |publisher=Blackwell Science Ltd |pages= 275–301 |isbn=0-632-05311-9 |volume=27|series=Special publication of the International Association of Sedimentologists }}</ref>}} The lakes are sometimes used for [[water power]] plants, especially the large northern rivers and lakes.

Most of northern and western central Sweden consists of vast tracts of hilly and mountainous land called the [[Norrland terrain]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=De Geer |first=Sten |author-link=Sten De Geer|date=1926 |title=Norra Sveriges landforms-regioner |language=sv |journal=[[Geografiska Annaler]] |publisher=Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography |volume=8 |pages=125–136 }}</ref> From the south the transition to the Norrland terrain is not only seen in the relief but also in the wide and contiguous [[Taiga|boreal forests]] that extend north of it<ref>{{cite book |last=Sporrong |first=Ulf |chapter=The Scandinavian landscape and its resources |editor-last=Helle |editor-first=Knut|date=2003 |title=The Cambridge History of Scandinavia |url=https://archive.org/details/cambridgehistory01hell |url-access=limited |publisher=Cambridge University Press |issue=1 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/cambridgehistory01hell/page/n655 22] |isbn=9780521472999 }}</ref> with [[till]] and [[peat]] being the overwhelmingly most common [[soil type]]s.<ref name=Lundq1969>{{cite book |last1=Lundqvist |first1=Magnus |last2=Lundqvist |first2=Jan |last3=Rystedt |first3=Gunnar |last4=Malmer |first4=Nils|last5=Ulfstrand |first5=Staffan |last6=Behrens |first6=Sven |last7=Fries |first7=Jöran |last8=Larsson |first8=Erik |last9=Segnestam |first9=Mats |last10=Landell |first10=Nils-Erik |last11=Persson |first11=Göran |last12=Rosén |first12=Bo |author-link2=Jan Lundqvist |author-link1=Magnus Lundqvist | chapter=Landskapet| date=1969 |title=Det Moderna Sverige |publisher=[[Bonniers]] |pages=64–67 |language=sv}}</ref>

South of the Norrland terrain lies the [[Central Swedish lowland]] which forms a broad east-west trending belt from [[Gothenburg]] to [[Stockholm]].<ref name=Naten>{{cite web|url=http://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/l%C3%A5ng/mellansvenska-s%C3%A4nkan|title=Mellansvenska sänkan - Uppslagsverk - NE.se|website=www.ne.se|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref><ref name=Worldregional/> This is the traditional heartland of Sweden due to its large population and [[agriculture in Sweden|agricultural resources]].<ref name=Worldregional/> The region forms a belt of fertile soils suitable for agriculture that interrupts the [[Scandinavian and Russian taiga|forested]] and [[till|till-coated]] lands to the north and south.<ref name=Ytbildning/> Before the expansion of agriculture, these fertile soils were covered by a [[broad-leaved tree]] forest where [[Acer platanoides|maples]], [[oak]]s, [[Fraxinus excelsior|ash]]es, [[tilia cordata|small-leaved lime]] and [[Corylus avellana|common hazel]] grew. The Central Swedish lowland does however also contain soils of poor quality, particularly in hills where [[Scots pine]] and [[picea abies|Norway spruce]] grow on top of thin till soils.<ref name=Ytbildning/> Agriculture aside, the region benefits also from the proximity of [[hydropower]], forest and [[bergslagen]]'s mineral resources.<ref name=Worldregional>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yAgGHnENHjoC&q=central+swedish+lowland&pg=PA127|title=World Regional Geography|chapter=Northern Europe: Prosperous, wild and wired|page=127|editor-last=Hobbs|editor-first=Joseph J.|edition=6th|date=2009|publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=9780495389507 }}</ref> Sweden's four largest lakes, [[Vänern]], [[Vättern]], [[Lake Mälaren|Mälaren]] and [[Hjälmaren]], lie within the lowlands.<ref name=Ytbildning>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://runeberg.org/sverig15/1/0047.html |chapter=Ytbildning|author-last=Andersson|author-first=Gunnar|date=1915|editor-last=Guinchard|editor-first=Joseph|pages=13–14|title=Sveriges land och folk: historisk-statistisk handbok|language=sv }}</ref>

To the south of the Central Swedish lowland lies the [[South Swedish highlands]]<ref name=Naten/> which except for a lack of deep valleys is similar to the [[Norrland terrain]] found further north in Sweden.<ref name=Lundq1969/> The highest point of the highlands lies at 377 m.<ref name=LB2013>{{cite journal |last1=Lidmar-Bergström |first1=Karna |last2=Bonow |first2=Johan M. |last3=Japsen |first3=Peter |author-link=Karna Lidmar-Bergström|date=2013 |title=Stratigraphic Landscape Analysis and geomorphological paradigms: Scandinavia as an example of Phanerözoic uplift and subsidence |journal=[[Global and Planetary Change]] |volume=100 |pages=153–171 |doi= 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2012.10.015|bibcode=2013GPC...100..153L }}</ref> Poor soil conditions have posed significant difficulties for agriculture in the highlands, meaning that over time small industries became relatively important in local economies.<ref name=skogskunskap>{{cite web |title=Kulturspår på sydsvenska höglandet |url=https://www.skogskunskap.se/planera-skogsbruk/kulturmiljohansyn/kulturspar-i-olika-landskap/kulturspar-pa-sydsvenska-hoglandet/ |website=Skogskunskap |access-date=May 10, 2019 |language=sv |date=November 6, 2016 |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514211452/https://www.skogskunskap.se/planera-skogsbruk/kulturmiljohansyn/kulturspar-i-olika-landskap/kulturspar-pa-sydsvenska-hoglandet/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

Southernmost Sweden contains a varied landscape with both plains and hilly terrain. A characteristic chain of elongated hills runs across Scania from northwest to southeast. These hills are [[horst (geology)|horsts]] located along the [[Trans-European Suture Zone|Tornquist Zone]].<ref name=NatenSkaneterrang>{{cite web |url=https://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/l%C3%A5ng/sk%C3%A5ne |title=Skåne: Terrängformer |last=Behrens |first=Sven  |website=[[Nationalencyklopedin]] |publisher=Cydonia Development |access-date=November 30, 2017 |language=sv}}</ref><ref name=NatenSkaneberggrund>{{cite web |url=https://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/l%C3%A5ng/sk%C3%A5ne |title=Skåne: Berggrund |last=Ahlberg |first=Per  |website=[[Nationalencyklopedin]] |publisher=Cydonia Development |access-date=November 30, 2017 |language=sv}}</ref> Some of the horsts are [[Hallandsåsen]], [[Römelåsen]] and [[Söderåsen]].<ref name=NatenSkaneterrang/> The plains of Scania and [[Halland]] make up 10% of Sweden's cultivated lands and are the country's main agricultural landscape. Productivity is high relative to the rest of Sweden and more akin to that of more southern European countries.<ref name=NatenProduktion>{{cite web |url=https://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/l%C3%A5ng/produktionsomr%C3%A5den |title=Produktionsområden |last=Granström |first=Birger  |website=[[Nationalencyklopedin]] |publisher=Cydonia Development |access-date=November 30, 2017 |language=sv}}</ref> The natural vegetation is made up of [[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest|broadleaf forest]] although conifer plantations are common. Southern Sweden has Sweden's greatest animal and plant diversity.<ref name=NatenSkanebiota>{{cite web |url=https://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/l%C3%A5ng/sk%C3%A5ne |title=Skåne: Växtliv |last1=Olsson |first1=Olle G. |last2=Karlsson |first2=Thomas |website=[[Nationalencyklopedin]] |publisher=Cydonia Development |access-date=November 30, 2017 |language=sv}}</ref><ref name=NatenSkanedjur>{{cite web |url= http://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/lång/skåne/naturlandskap-och-kulturlandskap/djurliv |title=Skåne: Djurliv |website=[[Nationalencyklopedin]] |publisher=Cydonia Development |access-date=November 30, 2017 |language=sv}}</ref>

The two largest [[islands of Sweden|islands]] are [[Gotland]] and [[Öland]] in the southeast. They differ from the rest of Sweden by being made up of [[limestone]] and [[marl]] with an [[alvar]] vegetation adapted to the island's calcareous soils.<ref name=NatenGotlandterrang>{{cite web |url=https://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/l%C3%A5ng/gotland |title=Gotland: Terrängformer |last=Behrens |first=Sven  |website=[[Nationalencyklopedin]] |publisher=Cydonia Development |access-date=November 30, 2017 |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ott |first1=S. |last2=Elders |first2=U. |last3=Jahns |first3=H.M. |date=1996 |title=Vegetation of the rock-alvar of Gotland. I. Microhabitats and succession |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285652574 |journal=[[Nova Hedwigia]] |volume=63 |issue=3 |pages=433–470 |doi=10.1127/nova.hedwigia/63/1996/433 |bibcode=1996NovaH..63..433O |access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> Gotland and Öland have [[landform]]s that are rare or absent in mainland Sweden. These include [[cliff|active cliff]]s seen in segments of their western coasts,<ref name="Rudberg1967">{{cite journal|last=Rudberg|first=Sten|author-link=Sten Rudberg|date=1967|title=The cliff coast of Gotland and the rate of cliff retreat|journal=[[Geografiska Annaler]]|volume=49|issue=2|pages=283–298|doi=10.2307/520895|jstor=520895}}<!--|access-date=13 July 2015--></ref> [[sea stack]]s called ''[[rauk]]s'' and [[Solutional cave|large cave systems]].
{{clear left}}

== Political divisions ==

=== Provinces ===
[[File:Djurö February 2013 02.jpg|thumb|[[Uppland]] province]]
{{Main|Provinces of Sweden|Lands of Sweden}}

Sweden has 25 [[province]]s or ''landskap'' ("landscapes"), based on culture, geography and history: [[Bohuslän]], [[Blekinge]], [[Dalarna]], [[Dalsland]], [[Gotland]], [[Gästrikland]], [[Halland]], [[Hälsingland]], [[Härjedalen]], [[Jämtland]], [[Lapland, Sweden|Lapland]], [[Medelpad]], [[Norrbotten]], [[Närke]], [[Scania|Skåne]], [[Småland]], [[Södermanland]], [[Uppland]], [[Värmland]], [[Västmanland]], [[Västerbotten]], [[Västergötland]], [[Ångermanland]], [[Öland]] and [[Östergötland]].

While these provinces serve no political or administrative purpose, they play an important role for people's self-identification. The provinces are usually grouped together in three large lands (''landsdelar''): the northern [[Norrland]], the central [[Svealand]] and southern [[Götaland]]. The sparsely populated Norrland encompasses almost 60% of the country.

=== Counties ===
{{Main|Counties of Sweden}}
[[Image:SverigesLän2007mKod.svg|right|240px]]

Administratively, Sweden is divided into 21 [[County|counties]], or ''län''. In each county there is a [[County Administrative Boards of Sweden|County Administrative Board]], or ''länsstyrelse'', which is appointed by the national government.

In each county there is also a separate [[County Councils of Sweden|County Council]], or ''region (before 1 januari 2020 called landsting)'', which is the municipal representation appointed by the county electorate.

*K = [[Blekinge County]]
*W = [[Dalarna County]]
*I = [[Gotland County]]
*X = [[Gävleborg County]]
*N = [[Halland County]]
*Z = [[Jämtland County]]
*F = [[Jönköping County]]
*H = [[Kalmar County]]
*G = [[Kronoberg County]]
*BD = [[Norrbotten County]]
*M = [[Skåne County]]
*AB = [[Stockholm County]]
*D = [[Södermanland County]]
*C = [[Uppsala County]]
*S = [[Värmland County]]
*AC = [[Västerbotten County]]
*Y = [[Västernorrland County]]
*U = [[Västmanland County]]
*O = [[Västra Götaland County]]
*T = [[Örebro County]]
*E = [[Östergötland County]]

The letters shown were on the [[vehicle registration plate]]s until 1973.

=== Municipalities ===
{{Main|Municipalities of Sweden}}
[[File:Lapporten 2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Lapporten]] mountain pass in [[Lapland, Sweden|Lapland]]]]

Each county is further divided into municipalities or ''kommuner'', ranging from only one (in [[Gotland County]]) to forty-nine (in [[Västra Götaland County]]). The total number of municipalities is 290.

The northern municipalities are often large in size, but have small populations – the largest municipality is [[Kiruna]] with an area as large as the three southern provinces in Sweden ([[Scania]], [[Blekinge]] and [[Halland]]) combined, but it only has a population of 25,000, and its density is about 1 / km<sup>2</sup>.

[[Image:Swedishpopdensity.svg|thumb|right|160px|Population density in the counties of Sweden.<br/>''people/km<sup>2</sup>''<br/>{{legend|#E1E1FF|0–9.9}}{{legend|#CDCDFF|10–24.9}}{{legend|#A5A5FF|25–49.9}}{{legend|#7373FF|50–99.9}}{{legend|#2D2DFF|100–199.9}}{{legend|#0000FA|200+}}]]
{{clear left}}

== Population ==
Sweden has a population of 10 million as of January 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2054&artikel=6610701|title=Swedish population hits 10-million mark - Radio Sweden|first=Sveriges|last=Radio|newspaper=Sveriges Radio|date=20 January 2017 |access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> The mountainous north is considerably less populated than the southern and central regions, partly because the summer period lasts longer in the south, and this is where the more successful agricultural industries were originally established. Another historical reason is said to be the desired proximity to key trade routes and partners in continental Europe, e.g. Germany. As a result, all seven urban areas in Sweden with a population of 100,000 or more, are located in the southern half of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scb.se/sv_/Hitta-statistik/Artiklar/Varannan-svensk-bor-nara-havet/|title=Varannan svensk bor nära havet|website=scb.se|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

=== Cities ===
{{Main|Cities in Sweden|Urban areas in Sweden}}
Cities and towns in Sweden are neither political nor administrative entities, but rather localities or [[Urban areas in Sweden|urban area]]s independent of municipal subdivisions. 

The largest city by population, and the one most significant for culture and media, is the capital of [[Stockholm]] located in the east, with a population of 1,250,000. The second-largest city is [[Gothenburg]], with a population of 510,500, located in the southwest. The third-largest is [[Malmö]] in the south, with 258,000. The largest city in the north is [[Umeå]] with 76,000 inhabitants.

== Natural resources ==
Sweden's [[natural resources]] include [[copper]], [[gold]], [[hydropower]], [[iron ore]], [[lead]], [[silver]], [[timber]], [[uranium]], and [[zinc]].

== Environment ==
{{Also|Wildlife of Sweden|Agriculture in Sweden}}

[[Acid rain]] has become an issue, as it is damaging [[soil]]s and [[lake]]s and polluting the [[North Sea]] and the [[Baltic Sea]]. The HBV [[hydrology transport model]] has been used to analyze nutrient discharge to the Baltic from tributary watersheds.

=== Climate ===
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map SWE present.svg|thumb|300px|[[Köppen climate classification]] types of Sweden]]

Most of Sweden has a [[temperate climate]], despite its northern [[latitude]], with largely four distinct seasons and mild temperatures throughout the year. The winter in the far south is usually weak and is manifested only through some shorter periods with snow and sub-zero temperatures, autumn may well turn into spring there, without a distinct period of winter. The northern parts of the country have a [[subarctic climate]] while the central parts have a [[humid continental climate]]. The coastal south can be defined as having either a [[humid continental climate]] using the 0&nbsp;°C isotherm, or an [[oceanic climate]] using the –3&nbsp;°C isotherm.

Due to the increased maritime moderation in the peninsular south, summer differences between the coastlines of the southernmost and northernmost regions are about {{convert|2|C-change|0}} in summer and {{convert|10|C-change}} in winter. This grows further when comparing areas in the northern interior where the winter difference in the far north is about {{convert|15|C-change}} throughout the country. The warmest summers usually happen in the [[Mälaren Valley]] around [[Stockholm]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smhi.se/data/meteorologi/dataserier-med-normalvarden-for-perioden-1991-2020-1.167775|title=Dataserier med normalvärden för perioden 1991-2020|publisher=[[SMHI]]|language=sv|access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref> due to the vast landmass shielding the middle east coast from Atlantic low-pressure systems in July compared to the south and west. Daytime highs in Sweden's municipal seats vary from {{convert|19|C|F}} to {{convert|24|C|F}} in July and {{convert|-9|C|F}} to {{convert|3|C|F}} in January. The colder temperatures are influenced by the higher elevation in the northern interior. At sea level instead, the coldest average highs range from {{convert|21|C|F}} to {{convert|-6|C|F}}. As a result of the mild summers, the arctic region of [[Norrbotten County|Norrbotten]] has some of the northernmost [[agriculture]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slu.se/fakulteter/vh/samverkan/regional-jordbruksforskning-for-norra-sverige/rjn-det-norrlandska-klimatets-fordelar/|title=Det norrländska klimatets fördelar|publisher=Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet|language=sv|date=5 October 2021|access-date=1 November 2021|archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101183237/https://www.slu.se/fakulteter/vh/samverkan/regional-jordbruksforskning-for-norra-sverige/rjn-det-norrlandska-klimatets-fordelar/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sweden is much warmer and drier than other places at a similar latitude, and even somewhat farther south, mainly because of the combination of the [[Gulf Stream]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/impact/gulf_stream.shtml |publisher=BBC |title=BBC Climate and the Gulf Stream |access-date=29 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928040727/http://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/impact/gulf_stream.shtml |archive-date=28 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/res/div/ocp/gs/ |title=The Gulf Stream Myth |journal=Monthly Weather Review |volume=28 |issue=9 |pages=393–394 |access-date=29 October 2008 |bibcode=1900MWRv...28..393W |last1=Watts |first1=Harvey Maitland |year=1900 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1900)28[393:TGSM]2.0.CO;2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225021029/http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/res/div/ocp/gs/ |archive-date=25 February 2011 |url-status=live |doi-access=free }}</ref> and the general west wind drift, caused by the direction of planet Earth's rotation. Continental west-coasts (to which all of Scandinavia belongs, as the westernmost part of the [[Eurasia|Eurasian continent]]), are notably warmer than continental east-coasts; this can also be seen by comparing e.g. the Canadian cities of [[Vancouver]] and [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] with each other, the winter in west coast Vancouver is much milder; also, for example, central and southern Sweden has much milder winters than many parts of Russia, Canada, and the northern United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/SUSTDEV/EIdirect/climate/EIsp0002.htm |publisher=[[Food and Agriculture Organization]] |title=Global Climate Maps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117173015/http://www.fao.org/waicent/faoinfo/sustdev/EIdirect/climate/EIsp0002.htm |archive-date=17 November 2006}}</ref> Because of Sweden's high latitude, the length of daylight varies greatly. North of the Arctic Circle, the [[Midnight sun|sun never sets]] for part of each summer, and [[Polar night|it never rises]] for part of each winter. In the capital, [[Stockholm]], daylight lasts for more than 18 hours in late June but only around 6 hours in late December. Sweden receives between 1,100 and 1,900 hours of sunshine annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/stralning/1.3052 |title=Normal solskenstid för ett år |language=sv |publisher=[[Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute]] |access-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826085626/http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/stralning/1.3052 |archive-date=26 August 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The highest temperature ever recorded in Sweden was {{convert|38|°C|°F|abbr=on}} in [[Målilla]] in June 1947,<ref name="SMHI">{{cite web |url=http://www.smhi.se/kunskapsbanken/meteorologi/svenska-temperaturrekord-1.5792 |title=Svenska temperaturrekord |publisher=Sveriges meteorologiska och hydrologiska institut |access-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815175701/http://www.smhi.se/kunskapsbanken/meteorologi/svenska-temperaturrekord-1.5792 |archive-date=15 August 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> a record shared with [[Ultuna]] in [[Uppland]].<ref name="SMHI" /> The coldest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-52.6|°C|1|abbr=on}} in Vuoggatjålme on 2 February 1966.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://geographic.org/global_weather/weather_data.php?month=02&year=1966&id=SWE00140744&path=weather_stations/sw000000000_szz99999999/SWE00140744.dly&name=Vuoggatjalme&country=Sweden |title=Weather Data: Sweden, Vuoggatjalme, 1966, February |publisher=geographic.org |access-date=27 June 2020}}</ref> Temperatures expected in Sweden are heavily influenced by the large Fennoscandian landmass, as well as continental Europe and western Russia, which allows hot or cool inland air to be easily transported to Sweden. That, in turn, renders most of Sweden's southern areas having warmer summers than almost everywhere in the nearby [[British Isles]], even matching temperatures found along the continental Atlantic coast as far south as in northern Spain. In winter, however, the same high-pressure systems sometimes put the entire country far below freezing temperatures. There is some maritime moderation from the Atlantic which renders the Swedish continental climate less severe than that of nearby Russia. Even though temperature patterns differ between north and south, the summer climate is surprisingly similar all through the entire country in spite of the large latitudinal differences. This is due to the south's being surrounded by a greater mass of water, with the wider Baltic Sea and the Atlantic air passing over lowland areas from the south-west.

Apart from the ice-free Atlantic bringing marine air into Sweden tempering winters, the mildness is further explained by prevailing low-pressure systems postponing winter, with the long nights often staying above freezing in the south of the country due to the abundant cloud cover. By the time winter finally breaks through, daylight hours rise quickly, ensuring that daytime temperatures soar quickly in spring. With the greater number of clear nights, frosts remain commonplace quite far south as late as April. The cold winters occur when low-pressure systems are weaker. An example is that the coldest ever month (January 1987) in Stockholm was also the sunniest January month on record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month/vov_pdf/SMHI_vov_precipitation_sunshine_jan15.pdf?71642|title=Precipitation, Sunshine & Radiation for January 2015 (all-time records section)|language=sv|publisher=[[Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute]]|access-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115212312/http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month/vov_pdf/SMHI_vov_precipitation_sunshine_jan15.pdf?71642|archive-date=15 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month/vov_pdf/SMHI_vov_temperature_wind_jan15.pdf?18701|title=Temperature & Wind – January 2015 (all-time records section)|language=sv|publisher=[[Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute]]|access-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115212312/http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month/vov_pdf/SMHI_vov_temperature_wind_jan15.pdf?18701|archive-date=15 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

The relative strength of low and high-pressure systems of marine and continental air also define the highly variable summers. When hot continental air hits the country, the long days and short nights frequently bring temperatures up to {{convert|30|C|F}} or above even in coastal areas. Nights normally remain cool, especially in inland areas. Coastal areas can see so-called ''tropical nights'' above {{convert|20|C|F}} occur due to the moderating sea influence during warmer summers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smhi.se/kunskapsbanken/meteorologi/tropiska-natter-1.1085|title=Tropiska nätter|trans-title=Tropical nights|publisher=[[Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute]]|language=sv|access-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065821/http://www.smhi.se/kunskapsbanken/meteorologi/tropiska-natter-1.1085|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Summers can be cool, especially in the north of the country. Transitional seasons are normally quite extensive and the four-season climate applies to most of Sweden's territory, except in Scania where some years do not record a [[meteorological winter]] (see table below) or in the high Lapland mountains where polar microclimates exist.

On average, most of Sweden receives between {{convert|500|and|800|mm|0|abbr=on}} of precipitation each year, making it considerably drier than the [[Precipitation (meteorology)|global average]]. The south-western part of the country receives more precipitation, between {{convert|1000|and|1200|mm|0|abbr=on}}, and some mountain areas in the north are estimated to receive up to {{convert|2000|mm|0|abbr=on}}. Despite northerly locations, southern and central Sweden may have almost no snow in some winters. Most of Sweden is located in the [[rain shadow]] of the Scandinavian Mountains through Norway and north-west Sweden. The blocking of cool and wet air in summer, as well as the greater landmass, leads to warm and dry summers far north in the country, with quite warm summers at the Bothnia Bay coast at 65 degrees latitude, which is unheard of elsewhere in the world at such northerly coastlines.

It is predicted that as the [[Barents Sea]] gets less frozen in the coming winters, becoming thus "Atlantified", additional evaporation will increase future snowfalls in Sweden and much of continental Europe.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Arctic sea-ice loss fuels extreme European snowfall|journal=[[Nature Geoscience]]|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-021-00719-y|last1=Bailey|first1=Hannah|date=1 April 2021|last2=Hubbard|first2=Alun|last3=Klen|first3=Eric S.|last4=Mustonen|first4=Kaisa-Riikka|last5=Akers|first5=Pete D.|last6=Marttila|first6=Hannu|last7=Welker|first7=Jeffrey M.|volume=14|issue=5|pages=283–288|doi=10.1038/s41561-021-00719-y | issn=1752-0894|bibcode=2021NatGe..14..283B|hdl=10037/20941|s2cid=232765992|hdl-access=free|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

{{climate chart
| [[Gothenburg]]
|- 4 |1 |62
|- 5 |1 |41
|- 2 |5 |50
|1 |9 |42
|6 |16 |51
|10 |19 |61
|12 |20 |68
|12 |20 |77
|8 |16 |81
|6 |11 |84
|1 |6 |84
|- 3 |3 |75
| float=
| clear=none
| source= Climatedata.eu<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.climatedata.eu/climate.php?loc=swxx0007&lang=en |title=Climate Gothenburg - Västra Götaland |publisher=Climatedata.eu |access-date=2014-08-26 |archive-date=2014-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121143703/http://climatedata.eu/climate.php?loc=swxx0007&lang=en |url-status=dead }}</ref> }}

{{climate chart
| [[Kiruna]]
|- 21 |-11 |30
|- 22 |-8 |25
|- 18 |-4 |26
|- 9 |0 |26
|- 1 |8 |33
|5 |15 |48
|7 |18 |86
|5 |15 |73
|0 |10 |49
|- 10 |-2 |47
|- 13 |-6 |41
|- 19 |-8 |34
| float=
| clear=none
|source= SMHI.se<ref name="smhi.se">{{cite web |url=http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur |title=Temperatur &#124; SMHI |language=sv |location=FIXME |publisher=Smhi.se |access-date=2014-08-26 |archive-date=2012-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014042402/http://www.smhi.se/klimatdata/meteorologi/temperatur |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

{{climate chart
|[[Nyköping]]
|- 6 |0 |40
|- 6 |0 |25
|- 4 |3 |25
|0 |8 |30
|5 |15 |30
|10 |20 |45
|13 |22 |60
|11 |22 |50
|7 |15 |55
|4 |11 |45
|- 1 |5 |50
|- 5 |1 |45
|float= 
|clear= none
|source= SMHI.se<ref name="smhi.se"/>}}

{{climate chart
|[[Stockholm]]
|- 5 |-1 |39
|- 5 |-1 |27
|- 3 |3 |26
|1 |9 |30
|6 |16 |30
|11 |21 |45
|13 |22 |72
|13 |20 |66
|9 |15 |55
|5 |10 |50
|1 |5 |53
|- 3 |1 |46
|float= 
|clear= none
|source= HKO<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/europe/n_europe/stockholm_e.htm |title=Climatological Normals of Stockholm |publisher=Hko.gov.hk |date=2012-12-20 |access-date=2014-08-26}}</ref>}}
'''Swedish Meteorological Institute, SMHI's monthly average temperatures of some of their weather stations – for the latest scientific full prefixed thirty-year period 1961–1990'''
Next will be presented in year 2020. The weather stations are sorted from south towards north by their numbers.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! stn.nr. !! station !! Jan !! Feb !! Mar !! Apr !! May !! Jun !! Jul !! Aug !! Sep !! Oct !! Nov !! Dec !! ''Annual''
|-
| 5337 || [[Malmö]] || 0.1 || 0.0 || 2.2 || 6.4 || 11.6 || 15.8 || 17.1 || 16.8 || 13.6 || 9.8 || 5.3 || 1.9 || ''8.4''
|-
| 6203 || [[Helsingborg]] || 0.6 || −0.1 || 2.0 || 6.0 || 11.2 || 15.3 || 16.7 || 16.6 || 13.6 || 9.9 || 5.2 || 1.8 || ''8.3''
|-
| 6451 || [[Växjö]] || −2.8 || −2.8 || 0.0 || 4.7 || 10.2 || 14.3 || 15.3 || 14.9 || 11.2 || 7.0 || 2.3 || −1.2 || ''6.1''
|-
| 7839 || [[Visby]] || −0.5 || −1.2 || 0.7 || 4.1 || 9.5 || 14.0 || 16.4 || 16.0 || 12.5 || 8.6 || 4.3 || 1.2 || ''7.1''
|-
| 7447 || [[Jönköping]] || −2.6 || −2.7 || 0.3 || 4.7 || 10.0 || 14.5 || 15.9 || 15.0 || 11.3 || 7.5 || 2.8 || −0.7 || ''6.3''
|-
| 7263 || [[Gothenburg]] || −0.9 || −0.9 || 2.0 || 6.0 || 11.6 || 15.5 || 16.6 || 16.2 || 12.8 || 9.1 || 4.4 || 1.0 || ''7.8''
|-
| 8323 || [[Skövde]] || −2.8 || −2.9 || 0.0 || 4.6 || 10.6 || 15.0 || 16.2 || 15.2 || 11.1 || 7.1 || 2.2 || −1.1 || ''6.3''
|-
| 8634 || [[Norrköping]] || −3.0 || −3.2 || 0.0 || 4.5 || 10.4 || 15.1 || 16.6 || 15.5 || 11.3 || 7.2 || 2.2 || −1.4 || ''6.3''
|-
| 9516 || [[Örebro]] || −4.0 || −4.0 || −0.5 || 4.3 || 10.7 || 15.3 || 16.5 || 15.3 || 10.9 || 6.6 || 1.3 || −2.4 || ''5.8''
|-
| 9720 ||[[Stockholm Bromma Airport|Stockholm Bromma]]|| −3.5 || −3.7 || −0.5 || 4.3 || 10.4 || 15.2 || 16.8 || 15.8 || 11.4 || 7.0 || 2.0 || −1.8 || ''6.1''
|-
| 9739 ||[[Stockholm Arlanda Airport|Stockholm Arlanda]]|| −4.3 || −4.6 || −1.0 || 3.9 || 9.9 || 14.8 || 16.5 || 15.2 || 10.7 || 6.4 || 1.2 || −2.6 || ''5.5''
|-
| 10458 || [[Mora, Sweden|Mora]] || −7.4 || −7.2 || −2.4 || 2.5 || 9.1 || 14.1 || 15.4 || 13.5 || 9.3 || 4.9 || −1.6 || −6.1 || ''3.7''
|-
| 10740 || [[Gävle]] || −4.8 || −4.5 || −1.0 || 3.4 || 9.3 || 14.6 || 16.3 || 14.9 || 10.6 || 6.0 || 0.6 || −3.3 || ''5.2''
|-
| 12724 || [[Sundsvall]] || −7.5 || −6.3 || −2.3 || 2.5 || 8.2 || 13.8 || 15.2 || 13.8 || 9.4 || 4.8 || −1.5 || −5.7 || ''3.6''
|-
| 13410 || [[Östersund]] || −8.9 || −7.6 || −3.5 || 1.3 || 7.6 || 12.5 || 13.9 || 12.7 || 8.2 || 3.8 || −2.4 || −6.3 || ''2.6''
|-
| 14050 || [[Umeå]] || −8.7 || −8.3 || −4.0 || 1.4 || 7.6 || 13.3 || 15.6 || 13.8 || 9.0 || 4.0 || −2.3 || −6.4 || ''2.9''
|-
| 15045 || [[Skellefteå]] || −10.2 || −8.7 || −4.2 || 1.2 || 7.6 || 13.6 || 15.7 || 13.5 || 8.5 || 3.2 || −3.4 || −7.5 || ''2.5''
|-
| 16288 || [[Luleå]] || −12.2 || −11.0 || −6.0 || 0.3 || 6.6 || 13.0 || 15.4 || 13.3 || 8.0 || 2.6 || −4.5 || −9.7 || ''1.3''
|-
| 16395 || [[Haparanda]] || −12.1 || −11.4 || −6.8 || −0.5 || 6.1 || 12.8 || 15.4 || 13.2 || 8.0 || 2.5 || −4.2 || −9.5 || ''1.1''
|-
| 16988 || [[Jokkmokk]] || −17.5 || −14.9 || −8.6 || −1.1 || 5.9 || 12.2 || 14.3 || 11.8 || 5.7 || −0.2 || −9.3 || −14.6 || ''-1.4''
|-
| 17897 ||[[Tarfala]] (a mountain peak)|| −11.8 || −11.3 || −10.6 || −7.5 || −1.9 || 3.2 || 6.4 || 5.3 || 0.8 || −3.9 || −7.9 || −10.7 || ''-4.2''
|-
| 18076 || [[Gällivare]] || −14.3 || −12.5 || −8.4 || −1.9 || 5.0 || 11.0 || 13.0 || 10.7 || 5.6 || −0.6 || −8.1 || −12.2 || ''-1.1''
|-
| 18094 || [[Kiruna]] || −13.9 || −12.5 || −8.7 || −3.2 || 3.4 || 9.6 || 12.0 || 9.8 || 4.6 || −1.4 || −8.1 || −11.9 || ''-1.7''
|}<ref>The weather stations' names and numbers are first found at {{cite web|url=http://www.smhi.se/polopoly_fs/1.2860!ttm6190%5B1%5D.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222636/http://www.smhi.se/polopoly_fs/1.2860%21ttm6190%5B1%5D.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Average Temperatures for each Months and Annual Average |url=http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month_year/normal_1961_1990/SMHI_month_year_normal_61_90_temperature_celsius.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009070301/http://data.smhi.se/met/climate/time_series/month_year/normal_1961_1990/SMHI_month_year_normal_61_90_temperature_celsius.txt |archive-date=9 October 2013}}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Extremes===
{{Weather box
|location = Sweden
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 11.0
|Feb record high C = 16.2
|Mar record high C = 20.9
|Apr record high C = 28.8
|May record high C = 32.8
|Jun record high C = 38.0
|Jul record high C = 38.0
|Aug record high C = 36.2
|Sep record high C = 31.1
|Oct record high C = 23.2
|Nov record high C = 16.5
|Dec record high C = 13.2
|year record high C =
|Jan record low C = -49.4
|Feb record low C = -52.6
|Mar record low C = -45.8
|Apr record low C = -36.5
|May record low C = -22.2
|Jun record low C = -5.5
|Jul record low C = -4.0
|Aug record low C = -8.5
|Sep record low C = -13.1
|Oct record low C = -30
|Nov record low C = -39.0
|Dec record low C = -48.9
|year record low C =
|date=December 2018}}

== Extreme points ==
{{GeoGroupTemplate}}{{Location map many | Sweden
 | label=Kebnekaise
      | position=bottom
      | lat=67.9 | long=18.516667
 |caption=Extreme points of Sweden
 | label2=Smygehuk
      | pos2=right
      | lat2=55.336944  | long2=13.359444
 | label3=Stora Drammen
      | pos3=right
      | lat3=58.928611  | long3=10.9575
 | label4=Kataja
      | pos4=left
      | lat4=65.7010 | long4=24.1663
 | label5=Treriksröset
      | pos5=left
      | lat5=69.06 | long5=20.548611
 | label6=Vattenriket
      | pos6=top
      | lat6=56.021581 | long6=14.178878
 | width=150 | float=right
}}
The extreme points of Sweden include the coordinates that are farthest north, south, east and west in Sweden, and the ones that are at the highest and the lowest elevations in the country. Unlike Norway and Denmark, Sweden has no external territories that can be considered either inside or outside the country depending on definition, meaning that the extreme points of Sweden are unambiguous.

The latitude and longitude are expressed in [[Geographic coordinate system#Degrees: a measurement of angle|decimal degree notation]], in which a positive latitude value refers to the Northern Hemisphere, and a negative value refers to the Southern Hemisphere. Additionally, a negative elevation value refers to land below sea level. The coordinates used in this article are sourced from [[Google Earth]], which makes use of the [[World Geodetic System]] (WGS)&nbsp;84, a geodetic reference system.

=== Latitude and longitude ===
[[Image:Treriks.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Treriksröset]], Sweden's northernmost point]][[Image:Smygehuk-1.jpg|thumb|upright|Signpost in the harbour of [[Smygehuk]], Sweden's southernmost point]]
Sweden's northernmost point is [[Treriksröset]], in the [[Lapland, Sweden|Lapland]] province,<ref name="cia" /> where the borders of Sweden, Norway, and Finland meet. The closest Swedish city to the area is [[Kiruna]], which is Sweden's northernmost city.<ref name="google trerik" /> Sweden's southernmost point is in the harbour of the fishing village Smygehuk, near the city of [[Trelleborg]],<ref name="trelleborg">{{cite web|url=http://www.trelleborg.se/Lar-kanna-Trelleborg/Upptack-Trelleborg/Utflyktsmal/Smygehuk/|title=Trelleborgs kommun - Smygehuk|date=May 15, 2003|publisher=Trelleborg.se|language=sv|access-date=2008-10-28|archive-date=2012-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318072108/http://www.trelleborg.se/Lar-kanna-Trelleborg/Upptack-Trelleborg/Utflyktsmal/Smygehuk/|url-status=dead}}</ref> which borders the [[Baltic Sea]].<ref name="google smyge" /> At the [[pier]] of the harbour, a signpost displays the exact position of the point, as well as the distance to Treriksröset, [[Stockholm]], [[Berlin]], [[Paris]], and [[Moscow]].<ref name="trelleborg"/>

Sweden's westernmost point is on Stora Drammen, an [[islet]] in [[Skagerrak]] outside the coast of [[Bohuslän]].<ref name="scb">{{cite web|url=http://www.scb.se/statistik/AA/OV0904/2000I02/A01S%C3%850201_03.pdf|title=Geografiska uppgifter (Geographical data)|publisher=[[Statistics Sweden]]|language=sv, en|access-date=2008-10-28}}</ref> [[Seabirds]] and [[harbor seal]]s have colonies on the islet, but it is uninhabited by humans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swedenoffroad.com/sv/reportage/pic6.html |title=Reportage - Stora Drammen |publisher=Sweden Offroad Tour |language=sv |access-date=2008-10-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209050300/http://www.swedenoffroad.com/sv/reportage/pic6.html |archive-date=February 9, 2005 }}</ref> Sweden's easternmost point is on [[Kataja]],<ref name="scb"/> an islet south of [[Haparanda]] in the [[Bothnian Bay]].<ref name="atlas">{{cite web|url=http://www.sverigeatlas.se/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418155906/http://www.sverigeatlas.se/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-18 |title=Svenskt ortnamnsregister |publisher=Sverigeatlas.se |language=sv |access-date=2008-10-28 }}</ref> The islet is divided between Sweden and Finland. The border was established in 1809, after the [[Finnish War]], between what was previously two islets, a Swedish one called Kataja and a smaller Finnish one called Inakari. Since 1809, [[post-glacial rebound]] has caused the sea level in the region to drop relative to land level, joining the two islets.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tingbrand|first=Per|title=Kataja - Sveriges östligaste skär|publisher=Svenska Kryssarklubben|location=[[Borås]]|year=1984|language=sv|series=Västkustrapsodi}}</ref> If counting the [[mainland]] only, Stensvik in [[Strömstad]] is Sweden's westernmost point,<ref name="eniro stensvik"/> and Sundholmen in [[Haparanda]] is the easternmost point.<ref name="sundholm"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Heading
!  Location
! Province
!  Bordering entity
!  class="unsortable" |  Coordinates<ref name="wgs84">Coordinates obtained from [[Google Earth]]. Google Earth makes use of the [[World Geodetic System|WGS84]] geodetic reference system.</ref>
! class="unsortable" |  Ref
|- class="vcard"
| North
| class="fn org" | [[Treriksröset]], [[Kiruna Municipality|Kiruna]]
| [[Swedish Lapland|Lapland]]
| [[Troms]], [[Norway]], and [[Lapland (Finland)|Lapland]], [[Finland]]
| {{coord|69.06|20.548611|region:SE_type:landmark|name=Treriksröset (Northernmost)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="google trerik">{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=69.06,20.548611&spn=0.01,0.01&q=69.06,20.548611|title=Google Maps (Treriksröset)|work=Google|access-date=2008-10-28}}</ref><ref name="scb"/><ref name="page4"/>
|- class="vcard"
| South
| class="fn org" | [[Smygehuk]], [[Trelleborg Municipality|Trelleborg]]
| [[Scania]]
| [[Baltic Sea]]
| {{coord|55.336944|13.359444|region:SE_type:landmark|name=Smygehuk (Southernmost)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="google smyge">{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=55.336944,13.359444&spn=0.01,0.01&q=55.336944,13.359444|title=Google Maps (Smygehuk)|work=Google|access-date=2008-10-28}}</ref><ref name="scb"/><ref>Almqvist & Wiksells stor-atlas, p. 7</ref>
|- class="vcard"
| West
| class="fn org" | [[Stora Drammen]], [[Strömstad Municipality|Strömstad]]
| [[Bohuslän]]
| [[Skagerrak]]
| {{coord|58.928611|10.9575|region:SE_type:landmark|name=Stora Drammen (Westernmost)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="scb"/><ref name="google drammen">{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=58.928611,10.9575&spn=0.01,0.01&q=58.928611,10.9575|title=Google Maps (Stora Drammen)|work=Google|access-date=2008-10-11}}</ref><ref name="eniro storadrammen">{{cite web|url=http://kartor.eniro.se/query?what=map&mapstate=8;10.9575;58.928611|language=sv|title=Eniro Maps (Stora Drammen)|work=[[Eniro]]|access-date=2008-10-29}}</ref>
|- class="vcard"
| West (mainland)
| class="fn org" | Stensvik, [[Strömstad]]
| Bohuslän
| Skagerrak
| {{coord|58.997222|11.113056|region:SE_type:landmark|name=Stensvik (Westernmost on mainland)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="eniro stensvik">{{cite web|url=http://kartor.eniro.se/query?what=map&mapstate=8;11.113056;58.997222|language=sv|title=Eniro Maps (Stensvik)|work=[[Eniro]]|access-date=2008-10-29}}</ref><ref>Almqvist & Wiksells stor-atlas, p. 6</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stromstad.se/download/18.3eb156c911583e457c4800012463/F%C3%B6ruts%C3%A4ttningar%2Banalyser%2Boch%2B%C3%B6verv%C3%A4ganden.pdf|title=Förutsättningar, analys och överväganden|publisher=Strömstad.se|language=sv|access-date=2008-10-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225071319/http://www.stromstad.se/download/18.3eb156c911583e457c4800012463/F%C3%B6ruts%C3%A4ttningar%2Banalyser%2Boch%2B%C3%B6verv%C3%A4ganden.pdf|archive-date=2009-02-25}}</ref>
|- class="vcard"
| East
| class="fn org" | Finnish border on north coast of [[Kataja]], [[Haparanda Municipality|Haparanda]]
| [[Norrbotten]]
| [[Bothnian Bay]]
| {{coord|65.710833|24.155833|region:SE_type:landmark|name=Kataja (Easternmost)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="scb"/><ref name="google kataja">{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=65.710833,24.155833&spn=0.01,0.01&q=65.710833,24.155833|title=Google Maps (Kataja)|work=Google|access-date=2008-10-29}}</ref><ref name="eniro kataja">{{cite web|url=http://kartor.eniro.se/query?what=map&mapstate=8;24.155833;65.710833|language=sv|title=Eniro Maps (Kataja)|work=[[Eniro]]|access-date=2008-10-29}}</ref>
|- class="vcard"
| East (mainland)
| class="fn org" | Sundholmen, [[Haparanda]]
|  Norrbotten
| [[Torne (Finnish and Swedish river)|Torne River]], and the Bothnian Bay
| {{coord|65.815|24.150556|region:SE_type:landmark|name=Sundholmen (Easternmost on mainland)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="sundholm">{{cite web|url=http://www.haparanda.se/topplankar/forvaltning/kommunledningsforvaltning/samhallsbyggnadskontor/planer/arkiv/sundholmen.4.19caa05410ae9b91f5a8000531.html|title=Sundholmen är ett internationellt centrum i Bottenviksbågen och Barentsområdet|publisher=Haparanda.se|language=sv|access-date=Mar 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503221325/http://www.haparanda.se/topplankar/forvaltning/kommunledningsforvaltning/samhallsbyggnadskontor/planer/arkiv/sundholmen.4.19caa05410ae9b91f5a8000531.html |archive-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="page4">Almqvist & Wiksells stor-atlas, p. 4</ref><ref name="google sundholm">{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=65.815,24.150556&spn=0.01,0.01&q=65.815,24.150556|title=Google Maps (Sundholmen)|work=Google|access-date=2008-10-29}}</ref>
|}
[[File:Norra Kvill National Park, Sweden (by Pudelek).jpg|thumb|203x203px|Sweden trees <ref>'''Norra Kvill National Park, Sweden (by Pudelek).jpg'''</ref>]]

=== Elevation ===
[[Image:Kebnekaise view from Tuolpagorni.jpg|thumb|upright|At {{convert|2097|m|ft|0}}, [[Kebnekaise]] is Sweden's highest point.]]
The highest point in Sweden is the northern peak of Kebnekaise, which stands at {{convert|2097|m|ft|0}}. It is in the [[Scandinavian Mountains]] chain, in the province of Lapland.<ref name="dn">{{cite web|url=http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=597&a=817545 |title=Sydtoppen fortfarande högst i Sverige |last=Annika |first=Rydman |date=August 18, 2008 |publisher=Dagens Nyheter |language=sv |access-date=2008-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514223543/http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=597&a=817545 |archive-date=May 14, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="google kebnekaise"/> The mountain has two peaks, of which the [[Glacier|glaciated]] southern one was until fairly recently the highest at above {{convert|2100|m|ft|0}}. The top glacier on the southern peak has shrunk fast; therefore the summit is not as high as earlier. It was {{convert|2104|m|ft|0}} in 2008.<ref name="dn"/>
The northern peak, which stands at {{convert|2097|m|ft|0}}, is free of ice. Other points of comparable height in the vicinity of Kebnekaise include Sarektjåkka at {{convert|2089|m|ft|0}}, and Kaskasatjåkka at {{convert|2076|m|ft|0}}.<ref name="scb" />

Sweden's lowest point, which is {{convert|2.41|m|ft|2}} below sea level, is in the [[Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve]] in the city of [[Kristianstad]].<ref name="cia">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sweden/|title=Sweden: Geography|publisher=[[CIA]]&nbsp;– [[The World Factbook]]|access-date=2008-10-28}}</ref> The point is at the bottom of what was once Nosabyviken, a bay on the lake of Hammarsjön. The bay was drained in the 1860s by John Nun Milner, an engineer, to get more [[arable land]] for Kristianstad.<ref name="vattenriket"/>
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|-
! class="unsortable" | Extremity
! Name
! Elevation
! class="unsortable" | Location
! class="unsortable" | Province
! class="unsortable" | Coordinates<ref name="wgs84"/>
! class="unsortable" | Ref
|- class="vcard"
| Highest
| class="fn org" | [[Kebnekaise]]
| {{convert|2097|m|ft|0}}
| [[Scandinavian Mountains]]
| Lapland
| {{coord|67.9|18.516667|type:mountain_region:SE_source:enwiki|name=Kebnekaise}}
|<ref name="dn"/><ref name="google kebnekaise">{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=67.9,18.516667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=67.9,18.516667|title=Google Maps (Kebnekaise)|work=Google|access-date=2008-10-11}}</ref><ref>Almqvist & Wiksells stor-atlas, p. 18</ref>
|- class="vcard"
| Lowest
| class="fn org" | [[Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve]]
| {{convert|−2.41|m|ft|2}}
| [[Kristianstad]]
| Scania (Skåne)
| {{coord|56.021581|14.178878|region:SE_type:landmark|name=Kuttanad (Lowest)}}
|<ref name="cia"/><ref name="atlas"/><ref name="vattenriket">{{cite web|url=http://www.vattenriket.kristianstad.se/plats/lagsta_punkten.htm|title=Lägsta punkten (Lowest point)|publisher=Kristianstad.se|language=sv|access-date=Mar 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306131149/http://www.vattenriket.kristianstad.se/plats/lagsta_punkten.htm |archive-date=March 6, 2008}}</ref>
|- class="vcard"
| Deepest lake (from its surface)
| class="fn org" | [[Hornavan]]
| {{convert|221|m|ft|0}}
| [[Arjeplog]]
| Norrbotten
| 
| 
|}

=== Transportation ===
Only public transportation.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Heading
! Airport
! Railway station
! Bus stop
|- class="vcard"
| North
| [[Kiruna Airport|Kiruna]]
| [[Vassijaure]] ({{coord|68.4290934|18.2606904}})
| [[Karesuando]] bus station ({{coord|68.441474|22.4791197}})
|- class="vcard"
| South
| [[Malmö Airport|Malmö]]
| [[Trelleborg]] ({{coord|55.371783|13.159206}}
| [[Smygehuk]] Hamnen ({{coord|55.339544|13.359984}})
|- class="vcard"
| West
| [[Göteborg Landvetter Airport|Göteborg]]
| [[Strömstad]]  ({{coord|58.936509|11.173283}})
| [[Strömstad]] [[Color Line (ferry operator)|Color Line]] terminal ({{coord|58.934442|11.170618}})
|- class="vcard"
| East
| [[Pajala–Ylläs Airport|Pajala]]
| [[Haparanda]] ({{coord|65|49|41|N|24|7|53|E}})
| [[Haparanda]]-[[Tornio]] bus station ({{coord|65|50|36|N|24|8|18|E}})
|-
| Highest
| [[Scandinavian Mountains Airport|Sälen]], {{convert|490|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| [[Storlien Station|Storlien]], {{convert|592|m|ft|abbr=on}} ({{coord|63|18|57|N|12|6|2|E}})
|
|}
=== Historically ===
Northernmost:
* before 1751: unclear (undefined border)
* 1751–1809: [[Nuorgam]], Finland
Southernmost: 
*Before 1648: [[Långe Jan|south cape of Öland]]
*1648-1815: [[Swedish Pomerania]]
Westernmost:
*Before 1658: [[Vinga (Gothenburg)|Vinga]]
*1638–1655: as a colony, [[New Sweden]]
Easternmost:
* 1617–1721: [[Ingria]]

== See also ==
[[Image:Scandinavia M2002074 lrg.jpg|upright|thumb|In this true-color scene on March 15, 2002, much of Sweden can be seen covered by snow.]]
*[[Geographical center of Sweden]]
*[[List of cities in Sweden]]
*[[List of islands of Sweden]]
*[[List of lakes in Sweden]]
*[[List of municipalities of Sweden]]
*[[List of national parks of Sweden]]
*[[List of rivers in Sweden]]
* [[Climate of Sweden]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist-ua}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

* {{cite book|title=Almqvist & Wiksells stor-atlas|publisher=Liber [[Aktiebolag|AB]]|location=[[Stockholm]]|date=November 2003|language=sv|isbn=91-21-20680-5|oclc=243941349|ref=Storatlas}}

{{Sweden topics}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
{{Extreme points of Europe}}

[[Category:Geography of Sweden| ]]

[[it:Svezia#Geografia]]