The geographical distribution of Lyme borreliosis (Lb) in the North European countries appears to coincide with the geographical distribution of the principal vector, the common tick Ixodes ricinus. We have found that in Sweden this tick species occurs in the southern and south-central parts of the country and along the coast of northern Sweden. This area corresponds with the distributional area of Lyme borreliosis. I. ricinus, and thus also Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., are in general not present in the interior of North Sweden, presumably because the climate is too harsh for the vector.