Sweden
Sweden
*Summary: Sweden is a country in North Europe and a member of the European Union. The main religion is christianity, and in 1951, full freedom of religion was legally guaranteed. The main language is Swedish. Sweden became an independent state in the 11th century. Sweden is parliamentary a democratic monarchy. There official name is Konungariket Sverige, Sweden is the third largest country in Western Europe. (Kingdom Of Sweden) Sweden is a safe country to visit, free from political unrest and natural disasters. In Sweden, you have to at least have nine years of schooling. (Royal Song) The Sweden Anthem.
*Country description: Sweden is a highly developed stable democracy with a modern economy. Languages: Swedish, Sami, Finnish, Meankieli, Yiddish, and Romani Chib. Sweden has an area of 450,000 km2 - similar to California, Cameroon, Iraq, Spain or Thailand. Half its land surface is covered with forests. Less than 10% is farmland. Nearly 100,000 lakes dot the countryside, which is relatively flat. A long mountain chain in the Northwest reaches heights of up to 2,111 m. There are thousands of islands along the jagged coast. The warm Gulf Stream in the Atlantic gives Sweden a milder climate than other areas equally far north. Stockholm, the capital, is at almost the same latitude as southern Greenland but has an average temperature of about +18 degrees in July. The winter temperatures average slightly below freezing and the snowfall is moderate. Far northern Sweden has long and cold winter and bright summers with the moderate temperatures; in June and July, daylight lasts around the clock.
*Most important goods: Petroleum products, motor vehicles and accessories, machinery, electrical and computer equipment, iron, steel, and chemical products.
*Natural resources: Sweden has rich, natural supplies of coniferous forests, water power, iron ore, uranium and other minerals, but lacks significant oil and coal deposits.
*The people: Sweden has a population of 8.8% million, with about 85% living in the southern half of the country. Around 90% belong to the church of Sweden. The main language is Swedish. The four major Scandinavian languages - Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic are closely related. Swedish is a Germanic language. Like other industrialized countries, Sweden has a low birth rate which, however, has been slowly rising since the 1980 Life expectancy is high - about 75.9 years for men and about 80.9 for women. Since the 1940's immigration, mostly from neighboring Scandinavian countries but also from elsewhere in the world, has accounted for over 40% of the population growth. Sweden has two minority groups of native inhabitants in the north; the Finnish-speakin people of the northeast and the Sami population.
*Background: A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990's by high unemployment, rising maintenance costs, and a declining position in world markets. Indecision over the country role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the Europe in 1999.
*Administrative divisions: 21 countries- Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands.
*Resources: Country Comparison Statistics:
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/sw
Sweden.SE- The Officail Gateway To Sweden
http://www.sweden.se/ Sweden-Consular Information Sheet
http://travel.state.gov/sweden.html Norway-sweden-Map
http://www.all-mountain.com/skiing/images/horway-sweden-map.gif Sweden.GIF
http://david.national-anthems.net/ser.htm
By: Renee N and Kourtnee Y
Return to the Countries Project Page