Half of the country is forested and there are thousands of lakes, of which Lake Vänern is the largest in Scandinavia and third-largest in Europe. The south of Sweden is flat, while the northwest, close to the Norwegian border, is mountainous. More than half of Sweden is made up of forests - most of it coniferous in the northern and central parts. The forests in southern Sweden are mainly deciduous. Sweden has a long coastline - 3,200 km (2,000 miles). Most of it borders the Baltic Sea to the east where Gotland and Öland, the two biggest islands in the country, are both located. Northern Sweden and Norway are popular destinations all year-round. There are great opportunities for skiing and dog sled safaris in the winter. The summers are surprisingly warm considering their latitudes. Denmark and southern Sweden are best visited in the summer, spring or fall since that's when most outdoor activities are possible. The winter months are grey and dismal. With no mountains (and usually no snow), there is not much to do outside in winter. Stockholm, Gothenburg, Scania, Malmo, Lund, Smalland, Gotland, Jammtland, Dalarna, the Bothnian Coast, Lappland - every corner of the country is covered, with details on what to see and do, where to stay, the best restaurants, nightlife, the parks, shopping, how to get around, the local history. It's all here. With color photos and maps throughout.