Sweden’s geography and long, rugged coast with access to both the Baltic and North Seas drove her early evolution into a seafaring and economic power centre. Sweden’s political might and territories stretched as far as modern-day Poland and Russia until the early 1700s. Though the fifth largest country in Europe, Sweden’s population density remains one of the lowest and 90% gathered in the south.
For a comparably small population, Swedish authors have garnered seven Nobel Prizes in Literature. Early 20th cinema was no less affected by the likes of Ingmar Bergman, Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman. The 1967 film “I Am Curious” was a rallying cry for 1968 proponents of social revolution. And Swedish design in practical housewares, textiles, fashion and jewelry remains the flag-bearer for Scandinavian taste and style.
The medieval waterfront Old Town – Gamla Stan, situated among a group of small canaled islands and dotted with wharfs is the stand-out section of Stockholm. The earliest buildings were timber. But Romanesque stone architecture began replacing construction practices beginning in the 11th century. Notable churches like the German Church, palaces, museums and mansions crowd the area.
Stockholm is best experienced on foot and outdoors. Water is everywhere – 30% of the city consists of waterways. Public transportation seamlessly connects with short ferry rides to the tangle of parks, gorgeous gardens and three World Heritage Sites. Another 30% of the metropolitan area consists of parks and greenspace.
Directly following the last ice age, around approximately 8,000 BC, there were already people living in the Stockholm area. Germanic Viking tribes began settling the area first in 1,000 AD. First written records mentioning the city were in 1252. Stockholm was a part the Hanseatic league connecting Lübeck, Hamburg, Gdansk and Riga.
Swedes derive their moniker from the Old Germanic name for the Svear Tribe. Today the country is politically comprised of a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Sweden remains internationally neutral and has enjoyed over 200 years of peace. Longer than Switzerland. Stockholm is the obvious headquarters for The Nobel Peace Prize.
