The project is being run by the Swedish Institute - a promotional body which works alongside the foreign ministry.

Institute director Olle Waestberg said the virtual embassy would reach many young people and provide information about Sweden.

Second Life has about three million users worldwide, who create and develop virtual characters - called "avatars".

Several real-world companies have created virtual shops in Second Life.

The Swedish Institute says the embassy will not issue passports and visas, but it will inform users how to get them in the real world.