SWEDEN | Travel |Cultural information
The warm Gulf Stream in the Atlantic gives Sweden a milder climate than other areas this far north. Stockholm, the capital, is located on the same latitude as southern Alaska, but has an average temperature in July of 18° C, 64 F. The temperature variations between the southern and northern parts of Sweden are slight during the summer but greater during the winter. There is usually snow during the winter. In Sweden the seasons are very distinct from one another. Summer is characterised by the short nights, whereas during the winter there is only daylight for 7-8 hours. For the winter season you will undoubtedly need a warm jacket, gloves, and warm and waterproofed boots. A hat or cap is also quite useful. It is best to wear several layers of clothes that are reasonably easy to take off, since it is warm indoors.
Sweden, like most of Europe, has Central European time, Greenwich Mean Time +1. Summer time (daylight savings time) lasts from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. In Sweden, the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. are not used. Instead, time after noon is expressed using the 24-hour clock, in the form 13.00 - 24.00.
Languages
The four major Scandinavian languages -Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic are closely related. Finnish, on the other hand is not a Germanic language, and is therefore completely different. The languages have played an important role in creating and preserving national identity. One of the minority languages, Sami, is spoken by Sweden's oldest ethnic minority, the Sami. The area that is historically related to this group of people can be found in northern Sweden, as well as in northern Finland and Norway. Today, however, many of them have moved to southern Sweden. The native tongue of the Sami is not related to Swedish; however most of the Sami people have become bilingual in the process of adaptation. English is taught as a compulsory second language in Swedish schools from third grade. Since Sweden has become a stronghold of American and British popular culture, English is also learned to a large extent through TV, music, and films. When it comes to expressing certain attitudes, English is even considered superior to Swedish.
Food & Drinks
The Swedish smorgasbord is one of the few, if not the only, culinary imprint that Sweden has made in the world. But what an imprint! The smorgasbord is dominated by Swedish specialities such as herring, meatballs and crispbread. While the two latter have become international triumphs, herring is still something mostly for the home audience. The way herring is eaten is Sweden is somewhat different. The fish is pickled in vinegar, often flavoured with onions or mustard and eaten raw. It is Sweden's answer to sushi. Herring is eaten at Christmas, Easter, Midsummer, just about at any holiday, however it is nevertheless an everyday course. You will be guaranteed to come across it during your stay in Sweden, and no matter how strange it sounds it does not taste that bad.