Stockholm

Stockholms stad

City	Stockholm (1250)
County	Stockholm County
Provinces	Uplandia Sudermannia
Area  - Total	Ranked 251st 188 km²
Population  - Total (2004)  - Density	Ranked 1st 761,721 4051.7/km² (1st)

For other uses, see Stockholm (disambiguation).

Stockholm is the capital and the largest City of Sweden. The City of Stockholm is administratively a Municipality within Stockholm County, with an city population of 761,721 (2004), and with 1,695,946 (2004) including the suburbs (Stockholm County except Norrtälje, Nykvarn, Nynäshamn and Södertälje). The metropolitan area is known as Stor-Stockholm. The conurbation of Stockholm, a stastistical 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.

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Geography 4 Economy 5 Universities 6 Heraldry 7 Culture 8 Sites of interest 9 Sports teams 10 Notable natives 11 Miscellaneous topics 12 See also 13 External links

History

Main article: History of Stockholm

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

Main article: Politics of Stockholm

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: Innerstaden ("Inner City"), Söderort ("Southern localities") and Västerort ("Western localities"). They are in turn divided into smaller parts.

, in the middle Helgeandsholmen, with the Parliament building, above left Riddarholmen with Riddarholmskyrkan and above right Kungsholmen with the City Hall.]]

Geography

Main article: Geography of Stockholm

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 virually situated on the water. Coordinates: 59°21'N, 18°4'E.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Stockholm

Universities

Main article: Universities in Sweden

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

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Stockholm

Culture

Main article: Culture of Stockholm

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 theater, opera and museums. There are two UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Stockholm area: the castle of Drottningholm and the cemetery Skogskyrkogården.

Sites of interest

Main article: Tourism in Stockholm

• 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.

Notable natives

• Alfred Nobel
• List of Swedish monarchs
• List of Swedes

Miscellaneous topics

Pronunciation: Stockholm (/stok'hôlm/, SAMPA: [stQk"hOlm])

See also

• Stockholm Metro
• Stockholm-Arlanda Airport
• Largest European cities
• Ports of the Baltic Sea

External links

• Stockholm - Official site
• Stockholm Visitors Board - The official visitors' guide
• Stockholm Map in Swedish

Stockholm County

Botkyrka | Danderyd | Ekerö | Haninge | Huddinge | Järfälla | Lidingö | Nacka | Norrtälje | Nykvarn | Nynäshamn | Salem | Sigtuna | Sollentuna | Solna | Stockholm | Sundbyberg | Södertälje | Tyresö | Täby | Upplands-Bro | Upplands Väsby | Vallentuna | Vaxholm | Värmdö | Österåker

Counties of Sweden | Sweden