Introduction
About the north of Sweden and its peculiarities…
If it were normal times, I would be in India and Nepal now. The trip was planned in detail and everything was booked and arranged. But since we are in the so-called third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, these plans have remained unrealized for now.
Everywhere is boring; the restaurants and cafes close at 20:30. According to the latest government restrictions, social contact has been reduced to a minimum. Most countries are closed and only allow passengers with a negative coronavirus test. There are no flights either. The situation is desperate and sad. The only thing left to do is to fulfill your duty – to work and occasionally go for a walk to the local lake for variety.
Last week we changed the time too. We pushed the clock forward by an hour and it got much brighter. Easter is coming, but I don’t feel like painting eggs…
My husband watched me enhance my nose without my travels and suggested that we go by car north – to the cities. Hudvikval (Hudiksvall), Hernyosand (Härnösand), Yostersund (Östersund) and others.
We had talked about it a long time ago and I had agreed only to „get over it“ and stop him from repeating it to me. I had no interest whatsoever in traveling to the northern part of Sweden. The towns there, if there are any, are small, the distance between the houses is great. There are forests and lakes. Just nature. I am a city kid, interested in culture and history. Nature – not.
This time, amidst the creeping boredom, I responded. Better Yostersund than always at home…
I started off.
Extended weekend: from Thursday to Monday.
I have lived in Sweden for 30 years, but further north than Upsala (Uppsala) I haven't been there.
Norland – the northern part of Sweden
Norland (Norrland) is the largest of the three traditional historical-geographical parts of Sweden. Its area is about 261,000 km², which represents approximately 60% of the country's territory. It is also the least populated part of Sweden. Approximately 12% of the country's population lives there.
These were the things I read as curious facts before I went there.
Why do most people prefer to live in the south?
1. More Swedes live in the south because – compared to their northern compatriots – they don't risk being eaten by wolves and bears?
2. Most Swedes (80%) actually like talking to other people. In the south there are just more people to talk to.
If you don't even like short conversations, move to the north!
If you enjoy engaging in lively conversations, Sweden as a whole probably isn't the right place for you.
3. Some Swedes may seem tight-fisted (in my opinion – most of them), at least sometimes. They don’t want to spend an entire fortune on heating and warm winter clothes. In the north it will be colder and thus – more expensive.
4. Not all Swedes admit it, but they love getting drunk.
Alcohol is expensive in Sweden. In Germany, however, it is cheap. Living closer to Germany gives southern Swedes an economic advantage over their northern compatriots when it comes to accessing conversations that are triggered by the consumption of alcohol.
To solve this problem in the north, many people produce alcohol at home – something that is prohibited by law, but the authorities „turn a blind eye“ or look the other way…
5. Many Swedes love sexual interactions.
Living in northern Sweden means spending more time chopping wood or taking off many layers of clothing instead of dedicating yourself to „making love“.
Honestly, who gets excited watching their partner take off three pairs of socks from their frozen feet?
Apart from these well-known truths, Norland is an extraordinary experience.
One of the best things about visiting Norland is the opportunity to see its nature.
Wild and untouched by human hands. The feeling is fantastic – to be alone amidst the majestic nature and gaze out into the distance at blue lakes, green forests, deep ravines, and seemingly blue hills.
In close proximity to the wilderness there is also urban life with overnight stays in hotels, sophisticated restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Tourism in Norrland has also increased in recent years, and the largest cities in this part of Sweden – Umeå, Luleå, Östersund and Kiruna – are investing more and more in tourism.
During the day you can experience absolutely wonderful encounters with nature, and in the evening and at night you can visit the lively city establishments. Many Germans buy houses here and spend their vacations. They are in love with this part of Sweden and the fairy tale about the deer Rudolf…
The fauna in Norland is also well represented. The moose, the bear, and the lynx are just some of the animals you can encounter here.
Kirinna and the Ice Hotel
Near by Kiruna (Kiruna), in Yukasiervi (Jukkasjärvi), is home to the unique ICEHOTEL ice hotel, which attracts many tourists.
Everything is made of ice. Here you can drink from ice glasses and sleep in a bed made of ice, covered with reindeer skin. Kiruna is a city located far to the north, and the area is closely connected with the Saami people – a self-governing nation with its own culture, language, and traditions.
The city is located on iron ore deposits in the Kiirunavaara mountain range in Kiruna municipality. The mining company Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB) has been mining iron ore there since the late 19th century. The mine is among the largest underground iron ore mining mines in the world.
Since mining activities affect the earth’s layers and pose a risk to parts of the city, the mining company LKAB bears a significant part of the costs for the large-scale relocation of the urban infrastructure and the affected buildings.
Obviously there is enough economic interest in the iron mining industry, given that such large costs are incurred…
It is also near the highest mountain in Sweden – Kebnekaise (Kebnekaise), which is worth visiting.
The cities of Norland
Östersund
Jostersund is a beautiful town located on the coast of The Great Lake (Storsjön). The legend tells that a sea monster hides in the depths of the water, similar to the monster from Loch Ness.
Umeå
Umeo is called the city of the pines and you really understand why when you visit it.
Luleå
Luleo is a city with a rich cultural and sports life.
Sundsvall
Sundsvall is known for a number of landmarks, but its former casino Casino Cosmopol It was closed in 2020.
Härnösand
The largest open-air museum in Norland can be visited near Herniosaand.
Örnsköldsvik
Jornsholmsvik also has something to offer, including Varsbergsgaten (Varvsberget), from where there is a fantastic view of the city.
The High Coast – a meeting of mountains and sea
The High Coast (High Coast) offers magnificent scenery with high mountains and hills that descend towards the sea. The area is known primarily for the uplift of the Earth's crust that began after the retreat of the glaciers about 9600 years ago.
In fact, the entire eastern coast to the sea offers a fantastic experience.
I share my observations and experiences.
So – ahead, towards NORTH OF SWEDEN!
See more about the author Maria Sund here
