Sweden and Swiss Chocolate

Right and wrong.

Look at the map, it is true that Sweden is in northern Europe. We may get lots of snow in the winter, especially in the northern part of the country and we do have some good chocolate. We also have mountains, but the Alps are not located in Sweden, but in Switzerland! I guess lots of people get those two confused…

What else are the stereotypes of Sweden and the Swedes? Well, that it is cold of course and as I already mentioned it may be cold and snowy in the winter-time. Especially up north where they have really long, and dark, winters. But then again in the summer they have the midnight-sun! Thankfully we also have the Gulf Stream coming in all the way from America with warm air. Thank you America for making it possible to live in beautiful Scandinavia!

Another stereotype is that Sweden is only populated by blond, blue-eyed people. It may have been true in the old days, but Sweden of today is a multi-cultural country - just like America and most countries in Europe. We are not as used to immigrants coming to our country as Americans. It was only a century ago that lots of Swedes decided to leave their lives in poverty for a brand-new start in America. Today immigrants, mostly refugees, come from all over the world to make a brand new start in Sweden. Sweden of today is an industrial country with world-known products as Volvo cars and Ericsson cell-phones. Only Volvo have recently been bought by Ford…

Sweden is not a big country, it is about the same size as California, but with about nine million people. Yes, nine million. I remember a French friend saying: "all that land for so few people", referring to the Scandinavian countries. It may be true that we are not that many, but nowadays Iґd say we are a traveling people. Especially the younger people love to travel and experience different cultures and countries. I believe many Americans and others all over the world are the same. The Internet is bringing us all closer together.

Let me take you to the Land of the Midnight Sun and Ericsson cell phones! Til next time…


	Sweden and Swiss Chocolate
	by: Marie Persson
	Honestly, cross your heart, how much do you know about Sweden? You might take a guess, "Is it not up north somewhere, cold and lots of snow?" Or, you might say excitedly, "The Alps and Swiss chocolate!" Right and wrong. Look at the map, it is true that Sweden is in northern Europe. We may get lots of snow in the winter, especially in the northern part of the country and we do have some good chocolate. We also have mountains, but the Alps are not located in Sweden, but in Switzerland! I guess lots of people get those two confused… What else are the stereotypes of Sweden and the Swedes? Well, that it is cold of course and as I already mentioned it may be cold and snowy in the winter-time. Especially up north where they have really long, and dark, winters. But then again in the summer they have the midnight-sun! Thankfully we also have the Gulf Stream coming in all the way from America with warm air. Thank you America for making it possible to live in beautiful Scandinavia! Another stereotype is that Sweden is only populated by blond, blue-eyed people. It may have been true in the old days, but Sweden of today is a multi-cultural country - just like America and most countries in Europe. We are not as used to immigrants coming to our country as Americans. It was only a century ago that lots of Swedes decided to leave their lives in poverty for a brand-new start in America. Today immigrants, mostly refugees, come from all over the world to make a brand new start in Sweden. Sweden of today is an industrial country with world-known products as Volvo cars and Ericsson cell-phones. Only Volvo have recently been bought by Ford… Sweden is not a big country, it is about the same size as California, but with about nine million people. Yes, nine million. I remember a French friend saying: "all that land for so few people", referring to the Scandinavian countries. It may be true that we are not that many, but nowadays Iґd say we are a traveling people. Especially the younger people love to travel and experience different cultures and countries. I believe many Americans and others all over the world are the same. The Internet is bringing us all closer together. Let me take you to the Land of the Midnight Sun and Ericsson cell phones! Til next time… Written By Marie Persson in Sweden, 12/28/99