🇸🇪 Sweden Quiz: 25 Fun Questions About Swedish Culture and Geography

ABBA is one of the most successful pop groups in music history. They gained international fame after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with their hit “Waterloo.” The band’s name is an acronym formed from the first letters of the members’ names: Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid.

Anders Celsius, an 18th-century Swedish astronomer and physicist, created the Celsius temperature scale in 1742. Initially, his scale had 0 as the boiling point and 100 as the freezing point of water, but it was later reversed to the form we use today.

Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden. It is located on the eastern coast of the country, spanning across 14 islands connected by over 50 bridges. Stockholm is the political, economic, and cultural center of Sweden, and it is also the location of the official residence of the Swedish monarch and government.

Known as “köttbullar” in Swedish, these meatballs are typically made from a mix of ground beef and pork and served with creamy gravy, lingonberry jam, and potatoes. It’s one of the most iconic and beloved dishes in Swedish cuisine.

Sweden became a member of the European Union on January 1, 1995, after a referendum in 1994 in which a majority of voters supported EU membership. However, Sweden has opted out of adopting the euro as its currency.

Carl Linnaeus, born in 1707 in Sweden, is considered the father of modern taxonomy. He developed the binomial nomenclature system used to classify living organisms (e.g., Homo sapiens). His work laid the foundation for modern biological classification.

The elk (known as moose in North America) is considered Sweden's national animal. It symbolizes the country’s vast forests and natural beauty. Sweden has one of the densest populations of elk in the world, and the animal holds cultural and ecological importance.

Spotify was founded in Sweden in 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. It revolutionized the music industry by introducing legal streaming services. Headquartered in Stockholm, it remains one of Sweden’s most successful tech exports.

The Sami are the Indigenous people of the northern parts of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia. In Sweden, they are most known for their traditional practice of reindeer herding, which remains an essential part of their culture and economy.

Midsommar (Midsummer) is one of Sweden’s most beloved holidays, celebrated around the summer solstice in June. It involves dancing around a maypole, singing traditional songs, wearing flower crowns, and enjoying a meal with pickled herring and potatoes.

Swedish is the official and most widely spoken language in Sweden. It is a North Germanic language, closely related to Norwegian and Danish. There are also recognized minority languages, including Finnish, Meänkieli, Sami, Romani, and Yiddish.

King Carl XVI Gustaf has been the King of Sweden since 1973. He is a constitutional monarch, meaning his role is largely ceremonial. He is known for his interest in environmental issues and was the one who introduced the annual World Scout Foundation’s “King's Scout” awards.

The Swedish flag features a yellow or gold Nordic cross on a blue background. The design is inspired by the Scandinavian tradition of the cross flag, and the colors are said to have been taken from the Swedish coat of arms, which shows three golden crowns on a blue field.

Around 69% of Sweden is covered by forests, making it one of the most heavily forested countries in Europe. The forests play a major role in the economy, especially in timber and paper production, and are also vital for biodiversity and climate regulation.

Göta älv, located in southwestern Sweden, is the longest river in Sweden that flows entirely within the country. It connects Lake Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake, with the Kattegat (part of the North Sea) at Gothenburg. While the river Klarälven is longer overall, part of it lies outside Sweden.

The Riksdag is the national legislature and the supreme decision-making body of Sweden. It has 349 members who are elected every four years. The Riksdag is responsible for enacting laws, deciding on taxes, and shaping foreign policy.

Kebnekaise, located in Swedish Lapland near the Arctic Circle, is the highest peak in Sweden. It has two summits: the southern (glacier-covered) and the northern. Due to climate change and melting glaciers, the northern peak has recently become the highest point.

The Baltic Sea borders Sweden to the east and separates it from countries such as Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It plays a crucial role in Sweden’s maritime economy and has historically been a vital route for trade and cultural exchange.

Scandinavia traditionally refers to the three kingdoms of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. These countries share historical, cultural, and linguistic ties. Sweden is the largest country in Scandinavia both by area and population.

Despite being a member of the European Union, Sweden does not use the euro. Instead, it uses its traditional currency, the Swedish Krona (SEK). The decision not to adopt the euro was reaffirmed by a national referendum in 2003, where a majority voted against joining the Eurozone.

Gothenburg (Göteborg in Swedish) is Sweden’s second-largest city and an important seaport on the country’s west coast. It’s a major industrial and academic hub and is known for its relaxed atmosphere, seafood, and annual film festival.

IKEA, the world-renowned furniture and home goods retailer, was founded in 1943 in Älmhult, Sweden by Ingvar Kamprad. The company's name is an acronym of the founder’s initials and the farm and village where he grew up (Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd, Agunnaryd). IKEA is famous for its affordable, flat-pack furniture and Scandinavian design.

"Fika" is a cherished Swedish tradition that involves taking a break for coffee, usually accompanied by pastries like cinnamon buns. It’s more than just a coffee break—it’s a moment to pause, relax, and socialize, and it reflects the country’s value on work-life balance.

Sweden shares land borders with Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast. The Sweden–Norway border is the longest border Sweden shares with any country, spanning over 1,600 kilometers through mountainous terrain and forested areas.

The Nobel Prizes (except for the Peace Prize) are awarded annually in Stockholm. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway. The awards ceremony in Stockholm is a prestigious event held on December 10th each year—the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.