Switzerland
I've decided to write this series about these countries because i absolutely luv the countries. If you have any information on this country, please comment and tell me, thanks.
Caves and Mountains
There are around 2,000 mountains and caves that can be explored throughout Sweden, a lot of which are highly suitable for tourists to visit and that will awaken the urge to embark on new thrilling adventures.
With a flashlight in hand, boots and a rucksack - and with a thermos and some other supplies – just imagine moving slowly inwards and downwards into these murky depths.
The further you go, creep, even crawl, the deeper you descend under the earth's surface. The feeling is overwhelming!
For those of you who are particularly interested, there are a number of cave associations spread throughout the country. More information is available from the various counties. Kebnekaise is Sweden's highest mountain, 2,117 metres above sea level. It is situated in Lapland, and is Sweden's high alpine centre. Kebnekaise mountain station is located 85 km from Kiruna and belongs to the Swedish Touring Club. Tours, which may be easy or challenging, originate from here and other mountain stations in the area.
One well-known competition is the Kebnekaise Classic, one of Northern Europe's most challenging and demanding skiing competitions held at the end of April. Competitors must ascend four mountain peaks over two days. Åreskutan's peak is 1,420 metres above sea level and is surrounded by several other lower peaks. Brooks and streams flow along the faces of Skutan, and Lake Kallsjön is situated on the north side. The flora on the mountain is rich in species and wildlife includes, fox, hare, reindeer, grayling and char.
Åreskutan is best known for its range of skiing activities, where skiing is possible both in the summer and winter months. Sylarna and Helags are Jämtland's highest alpine areas featuring glaciers. This mountain area is one of Sweden's richest and most interesting from a botanical perspective. | ||||||||||||
Laponia World Heritage
The breathtaking scenery of Laponia encompasses deep pine forests and mysterious, sweeping mountains and is home to a fascinating variety of wildlife. The area covers a number of national parks and nature reserves. UNESCO recognises the natural and cultural value of this heart of Lapland, and Laponia is now protected as a World Heritage site.
Follow Linnaeus’ foot steps in Lapland Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist famous for his classification system of plants, animals and minerals, visited Lapland in year 1732. He was only 25 years old but very determined and curious which led to a discovery of a, to him, completely new world. Follow in his foot steps and get as dazzled over Lapland’s unique nature and the Sámi culture as Linnaeus once was.
Wilderness adventures Northern Lights
You will never forget the sight of the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, lighting up the skies over the mountains. It is a magnificently beautiful yet somewhat scary spectacle.
Many people consider the Northern Lights to be one of the most beautiful sights to be seen on the planet. The first time you see the drama play out it will take your breath away. During the most colourful Northern Lights, which arrive in separate sub-storms, the entire night sky can be filled with the most unbelievable forms and colours in green, red, blue and violet. Northern Lights are formed when loaded particles are thrust into the earth’s magnetic field at great speed propelled by solar winds that constantly flow out from the sun. The lights appear when the particles collide with the atoms in the magnetic field. The Northern Lights are more common nearer the poles because the earth’s magnetic field attracts particles to the poles, where the field is concentrated. They appear through-out the year but, as you would expect, they are easiest to view at their spectacular best under the dark winter season. There are many imaginative conceptions from days gone by as to how the Northern Lights came about. The Finnish name “revontulet” means fox fires and originates from the fact that according to legend there were fire foxes in Lapland. The Northern Lights were sparks from their fur. The Inuit in Green-land believed that the lights were the spirits of the dead who seemed to be having a good time, which included passing eternity engaging in various sporting activities.The Inuit’s name for the Northern Lights is “aqsalijaat” which means the steps of those playing football. The ball the spirits used was apparently a walrus skull. In southern Sweden people thought that the Northern Lights were formed by the Sami people as they ran around the mountains searching for their their reindeer | ||||||||||||
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