Sweden

Sweden is a prosperous industrial nation in northern Europe. The people of Sweden have developed highly prosperous industries based on their country's three most important natural resources--timber, which makes up about a fifth of the country's exports, a very high grade iron ore, and water power.

A Short 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 a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements has recently been undermined by high unemployment, rising maintenance costs, and a declining position in world markets.

Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe caused Sweden not to join the EU until 1995, and to forgo the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Location:

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway

Geographic coordinates:

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Population:

8,875,053 (July 2001 est.)

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 note:  small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Currency:

Swedish krona (SEK)

Currency code:

SEK

Exchange rates:

1 EURO to Swedish Krona: 9,132 (April 2004)