Forming the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Sweden is a northern European country occupying almost 450,000 sq kms of land, 15% of which lies within the Arctic Circle. Bordered by Finland to the north-east and Norway to the west, Sweden's eastern and southern boundaries are coastal, washed by the chilly waters of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea, with the Skagerrak and Kattegat straits lapping the shores of its southern and south-western tip. Despite its northern latitude, the climate of Sweden is mostly temperate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, although the mountainous landscapes in the far north of the country endure the kind of sub-Arctic conditions that have led to the Norrland region becoming the least populated in Sweden, with a higher percentage of the total population preferring to stick to the urban environments of the Gotaland and Svealand regions of southern and central Sweden respectively.

Norrland is a snow-clad, unspoilt wilderness perfect for those whose tolerance for the cold is matched only by their passion for skiing and nature. With a landscape scarred by ancient glaciers, dotted with most of the country's lakes - of which there are thousands - and carpeted by vast tracts of forest, many visitors are attracted to the Svealand region each year where the holiday chalets in central Sweden prove to be a popular choice not simply for the wide range of sports and recreation that can be enjoyed, but also for the chance to investigate the area's incredible natural diversity. The capital city of Stockholm enhances Svealand's popularity, but with the magnificent cities of Malmo and Gothenburg existing in the southern region of Gotaland, this is a part of the country not to be overlooked if you'd rather discover more about the rich cultural heritage of Sweden than get back to basics on an outdoor activity holiday!

While you can actually ski as far south as Dalarna in Svealand, holiday rentals in central Sweden are chosen more for their summer potential when the weather is at its warmest and sunniest and the long hours of daylight will seem to add a little extra time to your precious vacation. Gotaland can be slightly warmer still, and its long scenic coastline will give you the opportunity to experience the kind of sun, sea and sand unlike any you've encountered before! Between May and July, being so far north means that Norrland boasts almost permanent daylight, but its contrasting dark winter months and sub-zero temperatures are strictly for the hardy, and when it doesn't matter what the weather does on a culture-loaded city break, Sweden is a country that really has something to offer all year round.

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