The country that brought you IKEA, Greta Garbo and Absolut Vodka can almost be forgiven for letting the smorgasbord, the Volvo (driver) and all those zinc-creamed tennis fans out (but not Roxette, no, never Roxette). Since the devaluation of the Swedish crown, Sweden has become quite affordable; at any rate, the simple joys of fresh air, landscape and culture are among the least extravagant and most rewarding of pleasures available to visitors. Stockholm, the country's capital, is a progressive city, though there are pockets which have a village feel (if you don't focus too much on the sleek, ubiquitous IKEA chairs). Once you get out of town, Sweden's starkly beautiful forests and giant lakes lend themselves perfectly to outdoor activities from iceskating to moose-spotting.

Capital : Stockholm
Area : 450,000 sq km (175,500 sq mi)
Population : 8.9 million
People : 90% Swedes, 3% Finns, 0.15% Sami (indigenous Lapp inhabitants)
Language : Swedish, but English is widely spoken. Five Samish dialects are still spoken.
Religion : Lutheran
Government : Constitutional hereditary monarchy, parliamentary system
King : Carl XVI Gustaf
Prime Minister : Fredrik Reinfeld

GDP : US$268.3 billion
GDP per head : US$29,800
Growth rate : 2.7%
Inflation rate : 0.5%
Major industries : Forestry, mining, agriculture, engineering and high tech manufacturing, telecommunications, IKEA
Trading partners : EU, US
EU member : yes