Sweden is the largest and most populous of the Nordic Countries. It borders Norway to the west and north, Finland to the east, and is connected to Denmark in the southwest by a bridge–tunnel across the Öresund. Despite its poslition, Sweden' climate is generally mild. It often has warm continental summers, being located in between the North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea, and vast Russia. Nevertheless, the general climate and environment vary significantly from the south and north due to the vast latitudinal difference, and much of Sweden is characterised by cold and snowy winters. Southern Sweden is predominantly agricultural, while the north is heavily forested and includes a portion of the Scandinavian Mountains. Sweden is known for its highly qualified vodka and liquor but the interest in local gin production and gin consumption has started to pick up in the early 2000s.