Sweden

SWEDEN (Sverige), a kingdom of northern Europe, occupy ing a part of the Scandinavian peninsula. The length is about 990 m., the extreme breadth (mainland) about 25o m., and the total area, inclusive of inland waters, of which the four great southern lakes comprise 3,510 sq.m., is estimated at 173,154 sq.m. Strelbitsky estimated the boundary at 6,1oo m. ; 4,737 m. are coastal, the Norwegian frontier is 1,030 m., and the Finnish 333 miles.

Physical Features.

The backbone of Sweden is an ancient mountain range of which the crest line forms the Norwegian boundary. The three main territorial divisions of Sweden are Norrland, Svealand and GOtaland. The country may be described in four main physical divisions :—the northern mountains and lake region district, covering all Norrland and the western part of Svealand ; the lowlands of central Sweden ; the Smaland highlands, in the south and south-east; and the plains of Skane, occupying the extreme south of the peninsula. The first district is much the largest and highest, and contains the finest scenery. The greatest heights lie along the boundary and several exceed 6,000 ft. Kebnekaise (6,965 ft.) formerly considered the highest point in Sweden, is a bold, somewhat isolated summit. Slightly south, beyond the Lule alf, is a lofty mass in which Sarjektjakko (6,971 ft.) slightly overtops the other summits. Still farther south is the better-known Sulitjalma (6,158 ft.) ; beyond is a progressive de crease in height southwards until Areskutan (4,656 ft.) is reached. Near the southern flanks of Areskutan the railway from Trond hjem (Norway) crosses into Sweden. South of the railway the highland line passes into Norway, but before doing so the mass rises into such heights as Helagsfjall (5,896 ft.). Here the snow line, which is about 3,000 ft. in the north, rises to 5,500 ft. The numerous rivers are linked with long, narrow, high-level (900 1,300 ft.) lakes, due mainly to dams of moraine. Amongst Euro pean countries only Finland exceeds Sweden in the number of its lakes. In Sweden they cover over 14,500 sq.m. (about 8% of the country), but the largest lie in the central lowlands. The

northern rivers run through forests and enter the sea usually through long estuaries. The Torne, which, with its tributary the Muonio, forms the boundary with Finland, has a length of 227 m., and drains Tornetrask (126 sq.m.). Along and near to the shores of the lake the railway from Gellivare runs to Narvik (Norway). The Kalix (208 m.), with numerous rapids, is paralleled by the Lule, whose main stream is 193 miles. One of its branches, the Stora Lule drains the Langasjaur and Luletrask, which together have a length exceeding so m but a total area of only 87 sq. miles. Just below Stora Lule lake is the Harsprkg (hare's leap; Njuom melsaska of the Lapps), the largest and one of the finest cataracts in Europe. At the head of the Langasjaur is the Stora Sjofall (great lake fall; Lapp, Atna Muorki Kartje), 130 ft. In the southern mountain valleys of the region there are several beauti ful falls, such as the Tannfors, not far from Areskutan. Still farther south of the Lule are the Pite river (191 m.) and the Skellefte (205 m.)—the latter drains Hornafvan and Storafvan (total area 275 sq.m.). Hornafvan is a straight and sombre trough, but Storafvan and the intervening Uddjaur are broad and picturesquely studded with numerous islets. The Ume (237 m.) with its tributary, the Vindel, of almost equal length, drains sev eral lakes, including Stor Uman (64 sq. miles). The further principal rivers of this region are the Angerman (279 m.) with the magnificent Hallingsa fall within its drainage area, Indal (196 m.) and Ljusnan (23o miles) The Dal (32o m.) embraces Lake Siljan to sq. miles). The Klar has its upper the Faemund—in Norway and reaches Lake Vener after a course of 228 miles. The Torne has a drainage area of nearly 17,00o sq.m but the Angerman has the largest basin (over 12,500 sq.m.) of any river entirely in Sweden ; the average for the other large northern streams is less than 8,000 sq. miles. The northern rivers are liable to flooding so serious that they change their courses.