Sweden Museums
Museums in Sweden Online
History
Conclusive archaeological evidence exists that the area now comprising
Sweden was settled during the Stone
Age, as the inland ice of the last ice
age receded. The earliest inhabitants are thought to have been hunters and
gatherers, living primarily off what the sea (later called the Baltic
Sea) could offer.
Some evidence supports the theory that southern Sweden was densely populated
during the Bronze
Age, as remains of large trading communities from this period have been
found.
During the 9th
and 10th
century, the Viking
culture flourished in Sweden, with trade, raiding and colonisation primarily
going eastward, to the Baltic
states, Russia
and the Black
Sea.
In the 1389,
the three countries of Norway, Denmark
and Sweden were united under a single monarch. The Kalmar
Union was entered into as a personal, not a political union, and during the 15th
century, Sweden resisted attempts to centralise rule under the Danish king,
even to the point of armed rebellion. Sweden subsequently broke away in 1523,
when Gustav Eriksson Vasa, later known as Gustav
I of Sweden re-established separation of the Swedish Crown
from the union.
The 17th
century saw Sweden emerge as one of the great powerss
in Europe, due to successful participation, initiated by King Gustavus
Adolphus, in the Thirty
Years' War. This position would crumble in the 18th
century when Russia
took the reins of northern Europe in the Great
Northern War, and eventually in 1809,
splitting off the eastern half of Sweden, thereby creating Finland
as a Russian Grand
Duchy.
Recent Swedish history has been peaceful, the last war being the Campaign
against Norway 1814
establishing a Sweden-dominated personal union with Norway. The union was
peacefully dissolved in 1905,
despite some sabre-rattling. Sweden remained a neutral
country during World
War I and World
War II (with exception for the Winter
War).
Politics
Sweden has been a monarchy
for almost a millennium with supply
controlled by the parliament (the taxed peasantry constituting one of four
chambers. In 1866)
became bicameral,
with the Första Kammar (First Chamber) indirectly elected by local
councillors, and the Andra Kammar (Second Chamber) directly elected.
Executive power was shared between the King and a noble Privy
Council until 1680,
followed by the King's autocratic
rule initiated by the common estates of the Parliament. As a reaction to the
failed Great
Northern War Parliamentarism
was introduced in 1719,
followed by three different flavours of Constitutional
Monarchy in 1772,
1789
and 1809,
the
latter granting several civil liberties.
Parliamentarism was re-introduced in 1917
as king
Gustaf V, after decades of struggle, accepted appointing Cabinets supported
by majorities in the Parliament, followed by common
and equal suffrage enacted 1918-21. Parliamentarism was upheld by his
successor Gustav
VI Adolf until a new constitution
in 1975
abolished the monarch's political power. The monarch remains as the formal, but
merely a symbolic, head
of state with mainly ceremonial duties.
Social
Democracy has played a dominant political role since 1917, after Reformists
had confirmed their strength and the Revolutionaries
left the party. Social Democratic influence over society and government is often
described as Hegemony.
After 1932
the Cabinets have been led and dominated by the Social Democrats except for: a
few summer months 1936;
six years 1976-1982;
and three years 1991-1994.
In 1971,
the Parliament
or Riksdag became unicameral.
Constitutionally, the 349-member, Riksdag holds supreme authority in
Sweden. It may alter the constitution and its acts are not subject to judicial
review. Legislation may be initiated by the Cabinet
or by members of Parliament. Members are elected on the basis of proportional
representation for a four-year term.
The Constitution can be altered by the Riksdag, which requires
qualified majority and confirmation after the following general elections.
The judicial system is divided between courts with regular civil and
criminal jurisdiction and special courts with responsibility for litigation
between the public and Government or Municipal authorities. Swedish law is
codified and its court system consists of local courts, regional appellate
courts, and a Supreme Court.
Counties
Sweden is divided into 21 counties
or län.
In each county there is a County
Administrative Board or länsstyrelse which is appointed by the
Government. In each county there is also a separate County
Council or landsting, which is the municipal representation
appointed by the county electorate. Each county further divides into a number of
municipalities
or kommuner, making a total of 289 municipalities, in 2002. There are
also older historical divisions of the Swedish
Realm, primarily into provinces
and lands.
Geography
Main article: Geography
of Sweden
Sweden enjoys a mostly temperate
climate despite its northern latitude,
mainly due to the Gulf
stream. In the south of Sweden leaf-bearing trees are prolific, in the north
ferns
and hardy birches dominate the landscape. In the mountains of northern Sweden a
sub-arctic climate predominates. In the part of the country north of the Arctic
Circle the sun never sets during the summer, and in the winter night is
unending.
East of Sweden is the Baltic
Sea and the Gulf
of Bothnia, providing a long coastline, and yet further mellowing the
climate. To the west are the Scandinavian
mountain chain, a range that separates Sweden from Norway.
The southern part of the country is chiefly agricultural, with forests
covering an increasing percentage of the land the further north one goes.
Population density is also higher in southern Sweden, with centers being in the
valley of lake Mälaren
and the Öresund
region.
Economy
Aided by peace
and neutrality
for the whole 20th
century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed
system of high-tech capitalism
and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent
internal and external communications, and a skilled labour force. Timber,
hydropower,
and iron
ore
constitute the resource base of an economy
heavily oriented toward foreign trade.
Privately-owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which
the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture
accounts for only 2% of GDP
and 2% of the jobs. The government's
commitment to fiscal discipline resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001,
which was cut by more than half in 2002,
due to the global economic slowdown, revenue declines, and spending increases.
The Swedish Riksbank
is focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth should
pick up to 2.3% in 2003, assuming a moderate global recovery.
The Communications
and Transportation
systems of Sweden are important components of the infrastructure.
Demographics
Sweden has one of the world's highest life expectancies and one of the
lowest birth rates. The country counts at least 17,000 Sami among its
population. About one fifth of Sweden's population are immigrants or have at
least one foreign-born parent. The largest immigrant groups are from Finland,
the former Yugoslavia,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Norway, Denmark, and Poland. This reflects the Nordic
immigration, earlier periods of labor immigration, and later decades of refugee
and family immigration. The proportion of European immigrants has risen, the
main reason being the conflicts in former Yugoslavia.
Swedish is a Germanic
language related to Danish and Norwegian but different in pronunciation and
orthography. English is by far the leading foreign language, particularly among
students and those under age 50.
Sweden has an extensive child-care system that guarantees a place for all
young children from 2-6 years old in a public day-care facility. From ages 7-16,
children attend compulsory comprehensive school. After completing the ninth
grade, 90% attend upper secondary school for either academic or technical
education.
Swedes benefit from an extensive social
welfare system, which provides for childcare and maternity and paternity
leave, a ceiling on health care costs, old-age pensions, and sick leave among
other benefits. Parents are entitled to a total of 12 months' paid leave between
birth and the child's eighth birthday, with one of those months reserved
specifically for the father. A ceiling on health care costs makes it easier for
Swedish workers to take time off for medical reasons.
Culture
Swedish 20th century culture is noted by pioneering works in the early days
of cinema, with Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjöström. Later on, moguls like Ingmar
Bergman and actresses such as Greta
Garbo, Ingrid
Bergman and Anita Ekberg made careers abroad.
Swedish music is in many minds connected with ABBA,
although more recently indie bands like Soundtrack of our lives and The
Hives have started achieving international fame.
Swedish literature is also vibrant and active, Sweden ranking third in the
list of countries with most Nobel
Prize laureates in literature.
 |
Museums in Sweden Online
History
Conclusive archaeological evidence exists that the area now
comprising Sweden was settled during the Stone
Age, as the inland ice of the last ice
age receded. The earliest inhabitants are thought to have been
hunters and gatherers, living primarily off what the sea (later
called the Baltic
Sea) could offer.
Some evidence supports the theory that southern Sweden was
densely populated during the Bronze
Age, as remains of large trading communities from this period
have been found.
During the 9th
and 10th
century, the Viking
culture flourished in Sweden, with trade, raiding and colonisation
primarily going eastward, to the Baltic
states, Russia
and the Black
Sea.
In the 1389,
the three countries of Norway, Denmark
and Sweden were united under a single monarch. The Kalmar
Union was entered into as a personal, not a political union, and
during the 15th
century, Sweden resisted attempts to centralise rule under the
Danish king, even to the point of armed rebellion. Sweden
subsequently broke away in 1523,
when Gustav Eriksson Vasa, later known as Gustav
I of Sweden re-established separation of the Swedish Crown
from the union.
The 17th
century saw Sweden emerge as one of the great powerss
in Europe, due to successful participation, initiated by King Gustavus
Adolphus, in the Thirty
Years' War. This position would crumble in the 18th
century when Russia
took the reins of northern Europe in the Great
Northern War, and eventually in 1809,
splitting off the eastern half of Sweden, thereby creating Finland
as a Russian Grand
Duchy.
Recent Swedish history has been peaceful, the last war being the
Campaign against Norway 1814
establishing a Sweden-dominated personal union with Norway. The
union was peacefully dissolved in 1905,
despite some sabre-rattling. Sweden remained a neutral
country during World
War I and World
War II (with exception for the Winter
War).
Politics
Sweden has been a monarchy
for almost a millennium with supply
controlled by the parliament (the taxed peasantry constituting one
of four
chambers. In 1866)
became bicameral,
with the Första Kammar (First Chamber) indirectly elected
by local councillors, and the Andra Kammar (Second Chamber)
directly elected. Executive power was shared between the King and a
noble Privy
Council until 1680,
followed by the King's autocratic
rule initiated by the common estates of the Parliament. As a
reaction to the failed Great
Northern War Parliamentarism
was introduced in 1719,
followed by three different flavours of Constitutional
Monarchy in 1772,
1789
and 1809,
the
latter granting several civil liberties.
Parliamentarism was re-introduced in 1917
as king
Gustaf V, after decades of struggle, accepted appointing
Cabinets supported by majorities in the Parliament, followed by common
and equal suffrage enacted 1918-21. Parliamentarism was upheld
by his successor Gustav
VI Adolf until a new constitution
in 1975
abolished the monarch's political power. The monarch remains as the
formal, but merely a symbolic, head
of state with mainly ceremonial duties.
Social
Democracy has played a dominant political role since 1917, after
Reformists had confirmed their strength and the Revolutionaries
left the party. Social Democratic influence over society and
government is often described as Hegemony.
After 1932
the Cabinets have been led and dominated by the Social Democrats
except for: a few summer months 1936;
six years 1976-1982;
and three years 1991-1994.
In 1971,
the Parliament
or Riksdag became unicameral.
Constitutionally, the 349-member, Riksdag holds supreme
authority in Sweden. It may alter the constitution and its acts are
not subject to judicial review. Legislation may be initiated by the Cabinet
or by members of Parliament. Members are elected on the basis of proportional
representation for a four-year term.
The Constitution can be altered by the Riksdag, which
requires qualified majority and confirmation after the following
general elections.
The judicial system is divided between courts with regular civil
and criminal jurisdiction and special courts with responsibility for
litigation between the public and Government or Municipal
authorities. Swedish law is codified and its court system consists
of local courts, regional appellate courts, and a Supreme Court.
Counties
Sweden is divided into 21 counties
or län.
In each county there is a County
Administrative Board or länsstyrelse which is
appointed by the Government. In each county there is also a separate
County
Council or landsting, which is the municipal
representation appointed by the county electorate. Each county
further divides into a number of municipalities
or kommuner, making a total of 289 municipalities, in 2002.
There are also older historical divisions of the Swedish
Realm, primarily into provinces
and lands.
Geography
Main article: Geography
of Sweden
Sweden enjoys a mostly temperate
climate despite its northern latitude,
mainly due to the Gulf
stream. In the south of Sweden leaf-bearing trees are prolific,
in the north ferns
and hardy birches dominate the landscape. In the mountains of
northern Sweden a sub-arctic climate predominates. In the part of
the country north of the Arctic
Circle the sun never sets during the summer, and in the winter
night is unending.
East of Sweden is the Baltic
Sea and the Gulf
of Bothnia, providing a long coastline, and yet further
mellowing the climate. To the west are the Scandinavian
mountain chain, a range that separates Sweden from Norway.
The southern part of the country is chiefly agricultural, with
forests covering an increasing percentage of the land the further
north one goes. Population density is also higher in southern
Sweden, with centers being in the valley of lake Mälaren
and the Öresund
region.
Economy
Aided by peace
and neutrality
for the whole 20th
century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living
under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism
and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system,
excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labour
force. Timber,
hydropower,
and iron
ore
constitute the resource base of an economy
heavily oriented toward foreign trade.
Privately-owned firms account for about 90% of industrial
output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output
and exports. Agriculture
accounts for only 2% of GDP
and 2% of the jobs. The government's
commitment to fiscal discipline resulted in a substantial budgetary
surplus in 2001,
which was cut by more than half in 2002,
due to the global economic slowdown, revenue declines, and spending
increases. The Swedish Riksbank
is focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%.
Growth should pick up to 2.3% in 2003, assuming a moderate global
recovery.
The Communications
and Transportation
systems of Sweden are important components of the infrastructure.
Demographics
Sweden has one of the world's highest life expectancies and one
of the lowest birth rates. The country counts at least 17,000 Sami
among its population. About one fifth of Sweden's population are
immigrants or have at least one foreign-born parent. The largest
immigrant groups are from Finland,
the former Yugoslavia,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Norway, Denmark, and Poland. This reflects
the Nordic immigration, earlier periods of labor immigration, and
later decades of refugee and family immigration. The proportion of
European immigrants has risen, the main reason being the conflicts
in former Yugoslavia.
Swedish is a Germanic
language related to Danish and Norwegian but different in
pronunciation and orthography. English is by far the leading foreign
language, particularly among students and those under age 50.
Sweden has an extensive child-care system that guarantees a
place for all young children from 2-6 years old in a public day-care
facility. From ages 7-16, children attend compulsory comprehensive
school. After completing the ninth grade, 90% attend upper secondary
school for either academic or technical education.
Swedes benefit from an extensive social
welfare system, which provides for childcare and maternity and
paternity leave, a ceiling on health care costs, old-age pensions,
and sick leave among other benefits. Parents are entitled to a total
of 12 months' paid leave between birth and the child's eighth
birthday, with one of those months reserved specifically for the
father. A ceiling on health care costs makes it easier for Swedish
workers to take time off for medical reasons.
Culture
Swedish 20th century culture is noted by pioneering works in the
early days of cinema, with Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjöström.
Later on, moguls like Ingmar
Bergman and actresses such as Greta
Garbo, Ingrid
Bergman and Anita Ekberg made careers abroad.
Swedish music is in many minds connected with ABBA,
although more recently indie bands like Soundtrack of our lives and The
Hives have started achieving international fame.
Swedish literature is also vibrant and active, Sweden ranking
third in the list of countries with most Nobel
Prize laureates in literature.
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Follow these text links depending on your interest.
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Follow these links depending on your interest.
Holidays
Main article: Holidays
in Sweden
The Swedish holiday calendar consists mainly of Christian
holidays. Many of these are however a continuation of pre-christian
customs, such as Midsummer
and Walpurgis
Night. Apart from official holidays and a few de facto
holidays there are also official
flag day observances and minor observances in the namesday
calendar.
Date
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English Name
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Local Name
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Remarks
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Nyårsdagen
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Trettondagen
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Långfredag
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The Friday before Easter Sunday
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Påskdagen
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Annandag påsk
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The day after Easter Sunday
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Första maj
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Kristi himmelsfärdsdag
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40 days after Easter
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Pingstdagen
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50 days after Easter
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Annandag Pingst
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51 days after Easter
Third Friday of June
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Midsommarafton
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Non official - however a de facto full holiday
Third Saturday of June
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Midsommardagen
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First Saturday of November
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Alla helgons dag
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Moved from November 1
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Julafton
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Non official - however a de facto full holiday
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Juldagen
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Annandag jul
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Nyårsafton
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Non official - however a de facto full holiday
All Sundays
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Official holidays - names follow the Liturgical
year
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Miscellaneous topics
References
External links
List of Museums in Sweden
MORE
| Anten
- Gräfsnäs Railway |
| Aquaria
Water Museum
Site provides information on exhibits, admissions and shark
feeding schedules. Located in Stockholm.
| Armémuseum
| Bärnstenmuseet
| Blekinge
Museum
| Bohusläns
Museum
| CultureNet
Sweden
The ultimate resource for cultural related activities in Sweden.
Links to theatres, museums, concerts and much more.
| Dala-Jarna
Konstgard
| Dalarnas
Museum
| Dance
Museum
| Dockmuseet
| Ekomuseum
Bergslagen
| Fjarilshuset
| Folkens
museum
| Fotevikens
Museum
| Gammelgården
| Gothenborg
Maritime Centre
| Grangesberg
Railway Museum
| Grönsöö
| House
of Straw
| Innovatum
- Museum of Industry
| Jönköping's
County Museum
| Kalmar
Lans Museum
| Konsthallen
Goteborg
Gothenburg Art museum. Provides calender of exhibitions.
| Malmo
Art Gallery
Not available in English.
| Malmo
Museer
Malmö Museer, founded in 1841, is comprised today of four
museums; the Art Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the City
Museum and the Science&Technology/MaritimeMuseum as well as
the Department of City Archeology.
| Marinmuseum
| Museum
Lionardo da Vinci
| Museum
of Architecture
| Museum
of Far Eastern Antiquities
| Museum
of Mediterranean Antiquities
| Museum
of Modern Art
Information on current and upcoming exhibitions as well as
general visitors information. Located in Stockholm.
| Museum
of National Antiquities
| Museum
of Natural History
| Museum
of Rope Making
| Museum
of Uppsala
| National
Museum
Site presents information on current and upcoming exhibitions as
well as general visitors info. Located in Stockholm.
| National
Museum of Science & Technology
| Nordiska
Museet
| Norrbottens
Museum
| Örebro
Läns Museum
| Photo
Museum
| Riksutställningar
| Rooseum
Center for contemporary arts in Malmo. Site includes information
on current and upcoming exhibitions.
| Royal
Coin Cabinet
| Silk
Weaving Mill
| Skansen
| Skokloster
| Skottvangs
gruva
| Strindbergsmuseet
A reconstructed apartment, consisting of three rooms, and his
library of some 3,000 works are today the core of the Strindberg
Museum. There are also exhibitions presenting various aspects on
Strindberg’s life and work.
| Sundbyberg
Museum
| Swedish
Museum of Natural History
Site presents information on exhibitions, opening hours,
collections, animals, plants, astronomy and more.
| Telemuseum
| The
Oresund Exhibition Centre
describes the creation of the fixed link between Malmö and
Copenhagen by way of multimedia, slide shows of recent events as
well as traditional graphic and written presentations.
| The
Vasa Museum
Scandinavia's most visited museum. In the large shiphall stands
the warship Vasa - the only remaining, intact 17th century ship
in the world.
| Tom
Tits
| Tycho
Brahe Observatory
Site provides general information on the observatory as well as
information on tours. Located in Oxie, Sweden.
| Tykarps
Cavern
| Uppsala-Lenna
Jernväg,
| Varmlands
Museum
| Västergötlands
Museum
| Wine
& Spirits Museum
| Xperiment
House |
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