The Beyond News

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. It has the most populous urban area in Sweden as well as in Scandinavia. 1 million people live in the municipality,approximately 1.6 million in the urban area, and 2.4 million in the metropolitan area. The city stretches across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. Outside the city to the east, and along the coast, is the island chain of the Stockholm archipelago. The area has been settled since the Stone Age, in the 6th millennium BC, and was founded as a city in 1252 by Swedish statesman Birger Jarl. It is also the county seat of Stockholm County.Stockholm is the cultural, media, political, and economic centre of Sweden. The Stockholm region alone accounts for over a third of the country's GDP,and is among the top 10 regions in Europe by GDP per capita. Ranked as an alpha-global city, it is the largest in Scandinavia and the main centre for corporate headquarters in the Nordic region. The city is home to some of Europe's top ranking universities, such as the Stockholm School of Economics, Karolinska Institute, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University. It hosts the annual Nobel Prize ceremonies and banquet at the Stockholm Concert Hall and Stockholm City Hall. One of the city's most prized museums, the Vasa Museum, is the most visited non-art museum in Scandinavia. The Stockholm metro, opened in 1950, is well known for the decor of its stations; it has been called the longest art gallery in the world. Sweden's national football arena is located north of the city centre, in Solna. Avicii Arena, the national indoor arena, is in the southern part of the city. The city was the host of the 1912 Summer Olympics, and hosted the equestrian portion of the 1956 Summer Olympics otherwise held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Stockholm is the seat of the Swedish government and most of its agencies, including the highest courts in the judiciary, and the official residencies of the Swedish monarch and the Prime Minister. The government has its seat in the Rosenbad building, the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) is seated in the Parliament House, and the Prime Minister's residence is adjacent at Sager House. Stockholm Palace is the official residence and principal workplace of the Swedish monarch, while Drottningholm Palace, a World Heritage Site on the outskirts of Stockholm, serves as the Royal Family's private residence.

Foods in  Stockholm  :

(1) Sandwich cake : 

The sandwich cake is a uniquely Swedish phenomenon which in days gone by was an absolute must at larger gatherings. Sandwich cakes are both easy to prepare in advance and an excellent way to impress guests with lavish layers and tasteful garnishesA Swedish sandwich cake is much more than just bread layered with creamy fillings such as seafood or cold cuts – it's a majestic piece of art decorated with vegetables and eggs, rolls of cheese, smoked meats or roast beef, strategically positioned sprigs of dill and an array of colours. To sample some sandwich cake in Stockholm, try one of the picturesque little cafés in the fairy tale neighbourhood of Gamla stan.

(2) Swedish potato dumpling (palt) : 

They say every culture has it's own dumpling and Sweden is no exception. This northern delicacy is a filling staple made primarily from pork and potato. Raw potatoes are mashed or shredded and mixed with flour to make a dough which is then shaped into a ball around a delicious pork filling. The whole thing is then boiled in salt water and served with some butter and lingonberry jam.A great place to sample these delightful dumplings in Stockholm is Restaurang Knut on Upplandsgatan which is known for its cuisine from the northern region of Norrland, from which this dumpling originates.

(3) Swedish hash (pyttipanna) : 

Pyttipanna is a hash-like dish which was originally invented as a convenient way to use up the week's leftovers. It consists of diced potatoes mixed with coarsely chopped onion and small pieces of meat from earlier meals. Bacon and meatballs both go great if you've got some lying around the kitchen. Add a fried egg and some pickled beetroot and suddenly you've got an entire meal on your hands!Once a homemade hodgepodge, pyttipanna is now a popular lunch option at restaurants specialising in Swedish cuisine. Drop by Kvarnen Restaurant on the island of Södermalm to sample this Swedish kitchen classic while in Stockholm.

(4) Brown baked beans with pork :  

Many of the dishes which are widely regarded as being typically Swedish can actually be found all over Scandinavia, but brown beans are so Swedish that their denomination of origin is protected by the EU. The beans need to be grown on the island of Öland in order to use the protected title.The classic dish is prepared by boiling the beans in water, mixing with potato flour and adding a touch of vinegar and syrup for that sweet and sour flavour Swedes know so well. Traditionally the beans are enjoyed with some fried slices of salted bacon, while others insist they are to be enjoyed together with boiled potato.

(5) Burger patties with onion sauce : 

Swedish burger patties (pannbiff) are closely related to a whole host of similar dishes from all across Northern Europe, but that does not make them any less important within the world of classic Swedish cuisine. In Sweden, beef or pork (or a mixture of the two) is blended with breadcrumbs and milk to form a small and compact patty. The traditional onion sauce is an essential accompaniment and made by adding friend onion and cream to a classic roux.Panbiff is a simple dish and a popular weekday dinner in Swedish homes all across the country. You'll also find it on the menu at lunch time in many restaurants. Just don't forget the lingonberry jam!

(6) Pea soup and pancakes : 

Pea soup and pancakes is a classic dish traditionally eaten on Thursdays. The reason for this is said to be that the country's once Catholic population needed a hearty meal before Friday's fast. Swedes have been enjoying this classic soup since the 13th century although the addition of pancakes came at a later point.Typically the dish is comprised of yellow peas, pork broth, onions and spices such as thyme, marjoram and mustard. You can pick it up in cans and cartons from the local grocery store, or watch for it on daily lunch menus across town, particularly on Thursdays.

Weather & geography in  Stockholm  :

In spite of its mild climate, Stockholm is located further north than parts of Canada that are above the Arctic tree line at sea level. Summers average daytime high temperatures of 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) and lows of around 13 °C (55 °F), but temperatures can reach 30 °C (86 °F) on some days.Sweden is in the geographical region known as Scandinavia in northern Europe. Lush, large forests cover half of the country and over 100,000 lakes dot the landscape. The lakes, and over 24,000 islands, are all open to the public through Sweden's tradition of right to public access.

Per day Cost in  Stockholm  :

You should plan to spend around kr1,475 ($171) per day on your vacation in Stockholm, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, kr313 ($36) on meals for one day and kr178 ($21) on local transportation.

History of  Stockholm  :

Stockholm, capital and largest city of Sweden. Stockholm is located at the junction of Lake Malar and Salt Bay  an arm of the Baltic Sea, opposite the Gulf of Finland. The city is built upon numerous islands as well as the mainland of Uppland and Södermanland. By virtue of its location, Stockholm is regarded as one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world.Stockholm was first mentioned as a town in 1252 and was largely built by the Swedish ruler Birger Jarl. It grew rapidly as a result of a trade agreement made with the German city of Lübeck. This agreement ensured Lübeck merchants freedom from customs charges for their trade in Sweden, as well as the right to settle there. The city came to be officially regarded as the Swedish capital in 1436. After conflicts between the Danes and Swedes for many years, Stockholm was liberated from Danish rule by Gustav I Vasa in 1523.Stockholm developed rapidly in the mid-17th century as Sweden temporarily became a great power. The central government departments were then placed there, and the city became an independent administrative unit. The old city walls were torn down, and new districts grew up north and south of the “city between the bridges.” In the 18th century, fires destroyed large parts of the city, and stone buildings were constructed to replace the old wooden houses. Stockholm had by then become the cultural centre of Sweden; many of its literary societies and scientific academies date from this time.