Stockholm, the capital of the Kingdom of Sweden, is situated on about 20 islands and the adjacent mainland and is the largest city and the chief commercial, manufacturing, financial, transportation, and cultural center of Sweden.

Stockholm is known for its beauty; it has many waterways and much parkland and is often referred to as the Venice of the North. The city has a population of 341,986 and is the court residence of the king and the seat of the government, of the diplomatic corps, and of the vicar Apostolic.