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Country information - Sweden Following the decline of the Viking Age, Sweden became part of the Kalmar Union together with Denmark and Norway (Finland at this time was a part of Sweden). Sweden left the union in the beginning of the 16th century, and more or less constantly battled its neighbors for many years, especially the still united Denmark-Norway, who never really accepted Sweden leaving the union. In the 17th and 18th centuries Sweden extended its territory through warfare and became a Great Power, twice its current size. The extended territory was subsequently lost within a century. Since 1814, Sweden has been at peace, adopting a policy of keeping free of alliances and has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Although its neutrality during World War II has been disputed. Sweden was part of the Marshall Plan but continued to stay non-aligned during the Cold War, and is still not a member of any military alliance. Following the second World War, Sweden took advantage of its natural resources and lack of war damage, making it possible to expand its industry to supply the rebuilding of Europe, leading it to be one of the richest countries in the world by 1960. During most of the post-war era, the country was ruled by the Swedish Social Democratic Party that established a welfare state, striving for a "well being for all"-policy. As other economies were re-established, Sweden was surpassed in the 1970s and had to adjust its politics in the 1990s; however, it still ranks among the top nations in terms of standard of living. Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999. Geography Sweden Location Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Area total: 449,964 sq km Land 410,934 sq km Water 39,030 sq km Land boundaries total: 2,233 km Border countries Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km Coastline 3,218 km Climate temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Terrain mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Elevation extremes lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m highest point Kebnekaise 2,111 m Natural resources iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower Natural hazards ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic People Sweden Population 9,001,774 Nationality noun: Swede(s) adjective Swedish Ethnic groups indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Religions Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist Languages Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Government Sweden Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden Conventional short form Sweden Local long form Konungariket Sverige Local short form Sverige Government type constitutional monarchy Capital Stockholm Administrative divisions 21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands Independence 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king) National holiday Flag Day, 6 June Constitution 1 January 1975 Legal system civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage 18 years of age; universal Executive branch chief of state: King Carl XVI Gustaf (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) Head of government Prime Minister Goran Persson (since 21 March 1996) Cabinet Cabinet appointed by the prime minister Elections the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) Elections last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held September 2006) Judicial branch Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet) Flag description blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy 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. Sweden is an industrialized country. Agriculture, once accounting for nearly all of Sweden's economy, now employs less than 3% of the labor force. Extensive forests, rich iron ore deposits, and hydroelectric power are the natural resources which, through the application of technology and efficient organization, have enabled Sweden to become a leading producing and exporting nation. Presumably because of generous sicktime benefits, Swedish workers report in sick more often than other Europeans. On 14 September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty. Labor force 4.49 million Labor force - by occupation agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% Unemployment rate 6% Population below poverty line NA Household income by percentage share lowest 10%: 3.7%, highest 10%: 20.1% (1992) Agriculture - products barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk Industries iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Currency (code) Swedish krona (SEK) Transportation Sweden Airports 254 Airports - with paved runways total: 155 Airports - with unpaved runways total: 100 Heliports 2 Railways total: 11,481 km Roadways total: 213,237 km Paved 167,604 km (including 1,542 km of expressways) Unpaved 45,633 km Ports and terminals Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Oxelosund, Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg

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