Five Physical Features of Norway and Sweden

Norway

1. Fjords: Glacially carved, seawater inlets flanked by sheer cliffs—Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord (UNESCO), Sognefjord (204 km, deepest 1,308 m). Define coastal geography.
2. Mountains: Scandes range covers ~60% of land. Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m / 8,100 ft) — highest in Northern Europe. Jotunheimen, Rondane, Dovrefjell massifs.
3. Glaciers: Jostedalsbreen (487 km²) — mainland Europe's largest. Svartisen, Folgefonna, Hardangerjøkulen. Feed fjords, rivers, hydropower.
4. Waterfalls: Vøringsfossen (182 m / 597 ft free fall), Kjelfossen, Mongefossen, Vettisfossen. Abundant from glacial melt + rainfall + vertical relief.
5. Aurora Borealis: Tromsø, Alta, North Cape, Lofoten — under auroral oval. Prime viewing Sept–Mar.

Sweden

1. Archipelagos: Stockholm Archipelago (24,000+ islands), Gothenburg Archipelago, High Coast (UNESCO). Post-glacial rebound creates evolving shorelines.
2. Lakes: ~100,000 lakes (10% land area). Vänern (5,650 km² — EU's largest), Vättern, Mälaren. Glacial origin, clear water, fish-rich.
3. Forests: 69% land cover (boreal: pine, spruce; nemoral south: beech, oak). Forestry economy; right of public access (allemansrätten).
4. Mountains: Scandes western border. Kebnekaise (2,097 m / 6,880 ft — glacier summit shrinking). Sarek, Padjelanta, Stora Sjöfallet NPs — wilderness core.
5. Aurora Borealis: Kiruna, Abisko, Jukkasjärvi (Icehotel) — reliable viewing. Abisko's "blue hole" microclimate = clear skies.

Shared: Scandes, glaciated landscapes, aurora. Distinct: Norway = vertical (fjords, peaks); Sweden = horizontal (lakes, forests, archipelagos).