Sweden’s geography and environment

What you need to understand

Sweden’s geography and environment

Sweden is a long country in northern Europe, with major differences in climate and landscape from north to south. Its three traditional regions are Götaland, Svealand and Norrland. The population is unevenly distributed, and most people live in the south or in urban areas. Geography affects transport, energy, business, defence, environmental questions and contact with neighbouring countries.

Landscape, climate and population

Sweden has a long coastline, many lakes and extensive forests. The Scandinavian mountain range follows the border with Norway, and the country’s highest land lies in the northwest. The Gulf Stream helps create a milder climate than the latitude alone would suggest, but winters are still longer and colder in the north. Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö are the main population and labour-market centres.

Natural resources, environment and neighbours

Forests, iron ore and hydropower have played important roles in the Swedish economy. Climate change, biodiversity and protection of air and water are central environmental issues. Sweden borders Norway and Finland and has close maritime links with other countries around the Baltic Sea. Its position between the Atlantic, Arctic and Baltic regions also has geopolitical significance.

Important points to learn

• Götaland, Svealand and Norrland and the largest cities.
• Neighbouring countries, surrounding seas and Sweden’s European location.
• North–south differences in climate, landscape and population.
• The economic importance of forests, ore and hydropower.
• Climate, the environment, public access to nature and personal responsibility.

Three practice questions with answers

These questions come from Provkollen’s independently written question bank. The answer and explanation are shown immediately so you can use this page as a study guide.

Official sources for further study

Always check current information with UHR and in Swedish law. UHR’s corrected study material is the main source for this guide.

• UHR – study material for the citizenship test
• UHR – Sweden in focus (corrected edition, Swedish)
• Ordinance (2026:451) on citizenship tests (Swedish)