Gothenburg, Sweden
- in the heart of Scandinavia
www.handels.gu.se
Gothenburg
Sweden’s second largest city with almost 1
million inhabitants. The port is the largest
in northern Europe and for many years
shipbuilding has been one of the most
important industries.
It is easy to get to Gothenburg.
Connections are extensive with express
trains, ferries from Denmark, Norway and
Germany, and daily flights from all major
European airports.
www.handels.gu.se
Gothenburg
is a city with broad avenues, well-preserved
historical buildings and many green spaces:
the 19th century park Trädgårdsföreningen,
the Botanical Garden and Slottsskogen to
mention some.
The sea is always present with the river that runs
through the city, the canals, and the ferries linking
the countless small islands, which is a must for
every visitor.
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Events and attractions
Gothenburg’s central location in Scandinavia makes it a popular city for large
international events. Hotels and restaurants, culture and entertainment, tourist
attractions, event arenas and congress halls are all within walking distance.
The Opera House is renowned for its architecture and modern program, and its
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Sweden’s national orchestra. The Nordstan
mall is Scandinavia’s largest.
Liseberg, Scandinavia’s largest amusement park, was chosen one of the top ten
amusement parks in the world by Forbes.
www.handels.gu.se
Trade and Industry
Gothenburg is known for its rapid growth
of research and expertise companies.
Several of the most renowned industrial
companies in Scandinavia, such as Volvo,
founded in Gothenburg, SKF, Mölnlycke
Health Care and Hasselblad, have their
head offices here.
www.handels.gu.se
Climate
Gothenburg has four distinct seasons. Despite its northern latitude,
temperatures are mild throughout the year and much warmer than
places in similar latitude, because of the warm Gulf Stream.
During summertime daylight lasts for around 19 hours, compared
to only 7 hours in December.
www.handels.gu.se
The Beautiful West Coast
Gothenburg is the gateway to the Swedish West
Coast and its archipelago of 8,000 islands. It is one
of the regions with most boats (8 people per boat) in
the world.
Gothenburg is a paradise for those who enjoy fish
and seafood of the highest quality.
www.handels.gu.se
SWEDEN
Sweden has 10 million inhabitants; more than one third live in the three largest
cities Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Member of the EU since 1995.
Facts
Capital: Stockholm
Currency: 1 krona=100 öre
Area: 450,000 km² (174,000 sq mi)
Political system: Parliamentary Democracy
Language
Swedish is the official language, English is widely spoken.
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Sweden is the fifth largest country in Europe. The distance from north to south is
1,600 km - if you turn Sweden around at the southern end, the north end will
reach Naples in Italy.
With only 10 million inhabitants, Sweden is dominated by nature. Ideal for those
who love space, clean air, beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities.
Lapland is sometimes called the last wilderness in Europe, with high mountains,
swamps and rivers. This is where the Saami live, some of the last nomads in
Europe.
Externa relationer
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Monarchy
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy.
King Carl XVI Gustaf is Head of State, but royal power is limited to
official and ceremonial functions. The oldest child inherits the crown:
no matter if they are male or female.
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Nature
Sweden is characterized by its long coastlines,
large forests and almost 100,000 lakes.
The archipelago consists of more than 60,000
islands. Half of the country is covered with
forest and less than 10% farmland.
The countryside is open to everyone, based on
the Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten).
You are allowed to walk, pick berries, camp etc
everywhere, even on other people’s land,
provided that you do not cause any damage.
www.handels.gu.se
Export
Sweden is an export-oriented economy, where timber,
hydropower and iron constitute the base.
The engineering sector amounts to 50% of exports, but
telecommunications, the automotive and pharmaceutical
industries are also important.
Among Swedish companies that have reached world-wide
recognition are Volvo, Ericsson, Vattenfall, Skanska,
Sony Ericsson, SCA, Electrolux, TeliaSonera, Scania,
H&M, IKEA, Nordea, Preem, Atlas Copco, Securitas,
AstraZeneca, SAAB and SKF.
The World Economic Forum has ranked Sweden the 4th
most competitive economy in the world.
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Technology
Many companies founded by early Swedish pioneers still remain major
international brands;
Alfred Nobel, inventor of
dynamite
Gustaf Dalén – AGA cooker and the Dalén light
Alfred Nobel - Dynamite
Lars Magnus Ericsson - Ericsson
Anders Celcius - Celcius scale
Other Swedish inventions are Tetra Pak for storing liquid foods and
Losec, the world's best-selling drug in the 1990s.
Today, Sweden owns the highest number of patents per inhabitant in the
world - considering the small population it is quite remarkable that only
ten other countries hold more patents than Sweden.
Gothenburg was ranked the 12th most inventive city in the world by
Forbes (2013).
Carl Linnaeus, one of the
fathers of modern ecology
Anders Celsius, inventor of
the Celsius scale.
www.handels.gu.se
Welfare
After World War II a series of social reforms transformed Sweden into a highly
developed welfare state, with top rankings in health, literacy and human development.
Contributing to the welfare is the fact that Sweden has not been in war for over 200
years, although taking active part in conflict-solving.
Income is flatly distributed; Sweden has a lower Gini coefficient (a measure of inequality
of income); 0.23, than any other country.
Total tax revenue is 48% of GDP, the
second highest tax burden in the world.
www.handels.gu.se
Health
The healthcare system is funded by taxes,
with nominal fees for patients.
Sweden ranks in the top five with respect to
low infant mortality, number three in life
expectancy in Europe and third in the
Human Development Index, in the world.
Swedish women in average have their first child at the age of 30, among the oldest in
Europe. Parental leave in Sweden is among the most generous in the world: all parents
are entitled to 18 paid months per child.
www.handels.gu.se
Education
The school system is financed by taxes and offers among other services lunch, bus
transport, and after-school centres open to all children with working parents.
Education is free for Swedish and EU students. Tuition fees were only recently imposed
for university students from outside the EU.
Children aged 1–5 years old are guaranteed a place in a public kinder garden, and attend
compulsory comprehensive school between the age of 6 and 16, after which 90% continue
with a three-year upper secondary school.
There are 30 universities in Sweden, the oldest and
largest ones are situated in Uppsala, Gothenburg,
Stockholm and Lund.
www.handels.gu.se
Fashion
Interest in fashion is big in Sweden and the country is headquartering famous
brands like H&M, J. Lindeberg, Acne, Gina Tricot, Lindex, Tiger of Sweden, Odd
Molly, Cheap Monday, Dr. Denim, Gant, Resteröds, Nudie Jeans, WESC, WAX
and Filippa K.
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Cinema
Swedes have been fairly prominent in the film area, with several successful Hollywood
actors like Malin Åkerman, Alexander Skarsgård, Ingrid Bergman, Greta Garbo, Max
von Sydow, Dolph Lundgren, Lena Olin, Britt Ekland, Maud Adams, Stellan Skarsgård,
Peter Stormare, Izabella Scorupco, Pernilla August, Anita Ekberg, Alexander Skarsgård
and Malin Åkerman.
Among film directors who have made an international career are: Ingmar Bergman,
Lukas Moodysson and Lasse Hallström.
Externa relationer
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Sweden is the world’s third largest producer of pop
music, with artists like Swedish House Mafia, Avicii,
ABBA, Roxette, the Ark, BWO, E-Type, Millencolin,
Robyn, Europe, Hammerfall, Mando Diao, the Knife,
the Hives, In Flames, Ace of Base and the Cardigans.
Swedish producers frequently records and writes major
hits for stars like Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Bon Jovi,
Backstreet Boys, Madonna, NSYNC, Usher, Pink, Katy
Perry and Pitbull.
www.handels.gu.se
5 top reasons to study in Gothenburg
• Modern City Campus
Everything within walking distance, a vivid city and friendly atmosphere
• International School with high Academic Standard
EQUIS and AMBA accredited and in the process of AACSB accrediation
Over 130 courses in English
• ”In the heart of Scandinavia”
Easy access to the Scandinavian capitals Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen
• Excellent Student Services
Housing Service, Free Insurance, Pick-up Service, Introduction
Programme, Mentor Programme, Social activities, Trips etc.
• A safe country where everyone speaks English
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Top 10 for 2013
Lonely Planet ranks Gothenburg
Second Best value destination 2013
“There’s good value in Sweden if you know where to look. The savvy traveller makes tracks for Gothenburg.
Away from the glitzy main drag Avenyn are characterful neighbourhoods cheap eats and some great attractions,
including edgy art space Röda Sten and picnic-friendly city views. If that wasn’t enough, ferries trundling round
the beautiful, car-free southern archipelago are a tram ride from the city centre. In short, this is as much
Scandinavia as you can get for your money.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/themes/best-in-travel/best-value-destinations/#ixzz2cmAuGiHI “
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
International Student
Barometer 2013
The city of Gothenburg ranks no 1 in
the section ”Overall living experince” in
the International Student Barometer, both
2012 and 2013
2016-03-24
www.handels.gu.se
Welcome to Explore Sweden!
www.handels.gu.se