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The Kingdom of Sweden (Sverige in Swedish) is a country in Scandinavia, northern Europe. It borders Norway on the west and Finland in the northeast; the rest of it borders the Baltic Sea. Due to the relatively small number of inhabitants, Swedes, Sweden's landscape is known for its peace and the large forests and lakes.

History

Main article: History of Sweden

There is conclusive archaeological evidence that the area now comprising Sweden was settled during the Stone Age, as the inland ice of the last ice age receded. The earliest inhabitants are thought to have been hunters and gatherers, living primarily off what the sea later called the Baltic Sea could give.

Some evidence supports the theory that southern Sweden was highly populated during the Bronze Age, as remains of large trading communities from this period have been found.

During the 9th and 10th century, the Viking culture flourished in Sweden, with trade, raiding and colonisation primarily going eastward, to the Baltic states, Russia and the Black Sea.

In the 1389, the three countries of Norway, Denmark and Sweden were united under a single monarch. During the 15th century, Sweden was part of the Kalmar Union, and was effectively ruled from Copenhagen. This ended in 1523, when Gustav Eriksson Vasa, later know as Gustav I of Sweden re-established Sweden as a separate kingdom.

The 17th century saw Sweden emerge as one of the great powers in Europe, due to successful participation (initiated by King Gustavus Adolphus) in the Thirty Years' War. This position would crumble in the the 18th century when Russia took the reins of northern Europe in the Great Northern War.

Recent Swedish history has been peaceful, the last war being against Russia in 1809, when Sweden lost Finland. Sweden remained neutral during World War I and World War II. War threatened to break out at the beginning of the 20th century when the Norwegian people wanted their country to leave the union with Sweden. War was averted by the dissolution of the union in 1905.

The first ceremony to award the Nobel Prize was held at the Old Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm in 1901; beginning in 1902, the prizes have been formally awarded by the King of Sweden.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Sweden

Sweden has been a monarchy for almost a millennium, but since 1975, the monarchs have had no political power.

Counties

Main article: Counties of Sweden

Sweden is divided into 21 counties, called län.

• Blekinge
• Dalarna
• Gävleborg
• Gotland
• Halland
• Jämtland
• Jönköping
• Kalmar
• Kronoberg
• Norrbotten
• Örebro
• Östergötland
• Skåne
• Södermanland
• Stockholm
• Uppsala
• Värmland
• Västerbotten
• Västernorrland
• Västmanland
• Västra Götaland

Each county is divided into a number of municipalities (kommuner). A municipality includes one or more towns. Sweden is also divided into 25 provinces called landskap. Sometimes the province and the county are the same.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Sweden

Sweden enjoys a mostly temperate climate despite its northern latitude, mainly due to the Gulf stream. In the south of Sweden leaf-bearing trees are prolific, in the north ferns and hardy birches dominate the landscape. In the mountains of northern Sweden a sub-arctic climate predominates. In the part of the country north of the Arctic Circle the sun never sets during the summer, and in the winter night is unending.

East of Sweden is the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia, providing a long coastline, and yet further mellowing the climate. To the west are the Scandic Mountains, a range that separates Sweden from Norway.

The southern part of the country is chiefly agricultural, with forests covering an increasing percentage of the land the further north one goes. Population density is also higher in southern Sweden, with centers being in the valley of lake Mälaren and the Öresund region.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Sweden

Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately-owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. In recent years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been somewhat clouded by budgetary difficulties, high unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. Sweden has harmonised its economic policies with those of the EU, which it joined at the start of 1995.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Sweden

Besides the Swedes, a small indigenous population of Saami (also known as Lapps) live in the northernmost part of the country. Ethnic minorities include Finns, Yugoslavians and Iranians.

Even though Sweden (just like the United States) has no official language, the de facto standard is Swedish, but there is a small Finnish speaking minority and the Saami also have their own language - neither of these language is related to Swedish.

Sweden has a wide mix of different religions. The majority of the population belongs to the Swedish Church (recently separated from the state), which is Lutheran Christian. There is also a number of Muslims in Sweden, due to immigration. Some of the Saami practise a nature religion.

Sweden is one of the world's most secularised societies, and the church has so many members only because, until recently, Swedes automatically became members of the State Church at birth.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Sweden

• List of famous Swedish people

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Sweden
• Transportation in Sweden
• Military of Sweden
• Foreign relations of Sweden

External links

• Virtual Sweden, Official gateway to Sweden
• Official site of the Swedish government

European Union:
Austria  |  Belgium  |  Denmark  |  Finland  |  France  |  Germany  |  Greece  |  Ireland  |  Italy  |  Luxembourg  |  Netherlands  |  Portugal  |  Spain  |  United Kingdom