Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden. The City of Stockholm is administratively a municipality within the County of Stockholm, with an inner city population of 743,703, and with 1,823,210 including the suburbs and county.
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.
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 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.
Main article: Politics of Stockholm[?]
Main article: Geography of Stockholm[?]
The city is situated on fourteen islands and on the banks to 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.
Main article: Economy of Stockholm[?]
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 is also houses the largest concentration of Universities with research and higher education in Sweden.
Main article: Heraldry of Stockholm[?]
Main article: Culture of Stockholm
Apart from being a large city with an active cultural life Stockholm as a capital also houses a many of the national cultural institutions of Sweden, inluding theater, opera and museums.
Main article: Tourism in Stockholm
Sporting events are popular with football and ice hockey being the most popular sports.
Prononunciation: Stockholm (/stok'hôlm/, SAMPA: [stQk"hOlm])
See also: Stockholm (disambiguation)
