Context:
A Russian Su-24 bomber violated Swedish airspace near the strategic Baltic Sea island of Gotland, leaving only after Sweden scrambled two JAS-39 fighter jets, Sweden’s military said on Saturday.
Overview of Sweden:
- Sweden is in the geographical region known as Scandinavia in northern Europe.
- It is the largest country in the Nordic Region and has the biggest population.
- Location: Sweden is situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula.
- Etymology: The name “Sweden” originates from the Svear (Suiones), mentioned by Roman author Tacitus in 98 CE. Its ancient name was Svithiod.
- Capital: Stockholm
- Borders: Bordered by Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast.
- Eastern coastline along the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea.
- Separated from Denmark by The Sound (Öresund) strait.
- Southwestern coastline along the Skagerrak and Kattegat straits.
- Environment and landscape is known for its inland lakes, vast forests, mountains covered in glaciers, and its thousands of coastal islands.
- The Torne River is the longest in Sweden
- Mount Kebne is the highest peak in the Kebnekaise mountain range.
- Sweden’s Arctic North: Known as the “land of the midnight sun” because during summer, the sun never sets.
- In Stockholm, summer nights last only four hours, with the sky remaining in twilight.
- Seasons: Winter extends until May, with long nights and short days.
- Aurora Borealis: In the fall and spring, northern Sweden experiences the “aurora borealis” or “northern lights.”
- These spectacular light shows of green and red are caused by collisions of tiny particles in the Earth’s atmosphere.
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