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STOCKHOLM - SWEDEN
Stockholm is the capital and the largest City of Sweden. The City of Stockholm is administratively a municipality within Stockholm County, the population of the city proper is 761,721 (2004), with the suburbs included, the population is 1,695,946 (2004) (Stockholm County except Norrtälje, Nykvarn, Nynäshamn and Södertälje). The metropolitan area is known as Stor-Stockholm. The conurbation of Stockholm, a statistical unit stretching trough several municipalities, had an population of 1,212,196 according to the 2000 census.
As a capital Stockholm is the site of the Government and the Parliament of Sweden. It is also the residence of the head of state, King Carl XVI Gustaf.
History
The earliest mention of Stockholm in writing dates from 1252, when it was an
important post in the iron trade from the mines in Bergslagen. The city is
said to have been founded by Birger Jarl in order to protect Sweden from
invasion from the sea by foreign navies and to stop pillage of the cities
such as Sigtuna on Lake Mälaren. The first building at Stockholm was a
fortification for the purpose of controlling the traffic between the Baltic
Sea and Mälaren.
Politics
The city is subdivided into 18 boroughs, which carry responsibility for
primary school, social, leisure and cultural services within their
respective areas.
Bromma
Enskede-Årsta
Farsta
Hägersten
Hässelby-Vällingby
Katarina-Sofia
Kista
Kungsholmen
Liljeholmen
Maria-Gamla stan
Norrmalm
Rinkeby
Skarpnäck
Skärholmen
Spånga-Tensta
Vantör
Älvsjö
Östermalm
Unofficially Stockholm is divided into three major parts: Stockholm City
Centre (Innerstaden), South Stockholm (Söderort) and West Stockholm (Västerort).
They are in turn divided into smaller parts.
Geography
The city is situated on fourteen islands and on the banks of the archipelago
where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. The city center is virtually
situated on the water. Coordinates: 59°21'N, 18°4'E.
Universities
Stockholm might be most well known for the Nobel Prizes and the prize
ceremony held each year, but the city also houses the largest concentration
of universities with research and higher education in Sweden.
Stockholm University
Royal Institute of Technology
Stockholm School of Economics
Karolinska Institute
Royal College of Music
Royal College of Fine Arts
University College of Film, Radio, Television and Theatre
University College of Arts, Crafts and Design
University College of Opera
University College of Music Education
University College of Dance
University College of South Stockholm
Culture
Apart from being a large city with an active cultural life Stockholm as a
capital also houses many of the national cultural institutions of Sweden,
including theatre, opera and museums. There are two UNESCO World Heritage
sites in the Stockholm area: the castle of Drottningholm and the cemetery
Skogskyrkogården. During 1998 Stockholm was designated as the European City
of Culture.
Sites of interest
Royal Palace in Stockholm, Royal Palaces in Sweden, Riddarholmskyrkan
Drottningholm Palace Theatre
Gamla Stan, Stadsholmen, Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen
Sager House, Rosenbad
Norrmalmstorg
Sergels Torg
Djurgården, Gröna Lund
Sports teams
Sporting events are popular, with football and ice hockey being the most
popular sports. The city hosted the 1912 Summer Olympics, as well as all but
one of the Nordic Games, a winter multi-sport event that predated the Winter
Olympics.
The three most popular men's football teams are Djurgårdens IF, Hammarby IF
and AIK. All three clubs have women's teams, although Djurgården's women's
elite team is called Djurgården/Älvsjö after a merger with Älvsjö AIK. The
clubs also all have ice hockey teams, but currently (2004-2005 season) only
Djurgården plays in the highest division.
Notable natives
Alfred Nobel
List of Swedish monarchs
List of Swedes
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