Sweden

nds:Sweden

The Kingdom of Sweden (Konungariket Sverige in Swedish) is a Nordic country in Scandinavia, in Northern Europe. It is bordered by Norway on the west and Finland in the northeast; the rest of it borders waters, as the Baltic Sea and Kattegat. Due to the relatively small number of inhabitants, Sweden's landscape is known for its peace and the large forests and mountanous wilderness.

Konungariket Sverige

(In Detail) (Full Size)

Royal motto: F�r Sverige i tiden
(For Sweden - With the times)

Official language None (Swedish de facto national language)
Capital Stockholm
King Carl XVI Gustav
Prime Minister G�ran Persson
Area
- Total
- % water Ranked 54th
449,964 km�
8.67%
Population
- Total (2000)
- Density Ranked 82nd
8,875,053
20/km²
Unification: 900-1200
Currency Swedish krona
Time zone UTC +1
National anthem Du gamla, Du fria
Internet TLD .SE
Calling Code 46

Table of contents

1 History
2 Politics
3 Counties
4 Geography
5 Economy
6 Demographics
7 Culture
8 Holidays
9 Miscellaneous topics
10 References
11 External links

History

Main article: History of Sweden

Conclusive archaeological evidence exists 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 offer.

Some evidence supports the theory that southern Sweden was densely 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. The Kalmar Union was entered into as a personal, not a political union, and during the 15th century, Sweden resisted attempts to centralise rule under the Danish king, even to the point of armed rebellion. Sweden subsequently broke away in 1523, when Gustav Eriksson Vasa, later known as Gustav I of Sweden re-established separation of the Swedish Crown from the union.

The 17th century saw Sweden emerge as one of the great powerss in Europe, due to successful participation, initiated by King Gustavus Adolphus, in the Thirty Years' War. This position would crumble in the 18th century when Russia took the reins of northern Europe in the Great Northern War, and eventually in 1809, splitting off the eastern half of Sweden, thereby creating Finland as a Russian Grand Duchy.

Recent Swedish history has been peaceful, the last war being the Campaign against Norway 1814 establishing a Sweden-dominated personal union with Norway. The union was peacefully dissolved in 1905, despite some sabre-rattling. Sweden remained a neutral country during World War I and World War II (with exception for the Winter War).

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 articles: Politics of Sweden

Sweden has been a monarchy for almost a millennium with supply controlled by the parliament (the taxed peasantry constituting one of four chambers. In 1866) became bicameral, with F�rsta Kammaren (the First Chamber) indirectly elected by local councillors, and Andra Kammaren (the Second Chamber) directly elected. Executive power was shared between the King and a noble Privy Council until 1680, followed by the King's autocratic rule initiated by the common estates of the Parliament. As a reaction to the failed Great Northern War Parliamentarism was introduced in 1719, followed by three different flavours of Constitutional Monarchy in 1772, 1789 and 1809, the latter granting several civil liberties.

Parliamentarism was re-introduced in 1917 as king Gustaf V, after decades of struggle, accepted appointing Cabinets supported by majorities in the Parliament, followed by common and equal suffrage enacted 1918-21. Parliamentarism was upheld by his successor Gustav VI Adolf until a new constitution in 1975 abolished the monarch's political power. The monarch remains as the formal, but merely a symbolic, head of state with mainly ceremonial duties.

Social Democracy has played a dominant political role since 1917, after Reformists had confirmed their strength and the Revolutionaries left the party. Social Democratic influence over society and government is often described as Hegemony. After 1932 the Cabinets have been led and dominated by the Social Democrats except for: a few summer months 1936; six years 1976-1982; and three years 1991-1994.

In 1971, the Parliament or Riksdag became unicameral. Constitutionally, the 349-member, Riksdag holds supreme authority in Sweden. It may alter the constitution and its acts are not subject to judicial review. Legislation may be initiated by the Cabinet or by members of Parliament. Members are elected on the basis of proportional representation for a four-year term.

The Constitution can be altered by the Riksdag, which requires qualified majority and confirmation after the following general elections.

The judicial system is divided between courts with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and special courts with responsibility for litigation between the public and Government or Municipal authorities. Swedish law is codified and its court system consists of local courts, regional appellate courts, and a Supreme Court.

Counties

Main article: Counties of Sweden

Sweden is divided into 21 counties or l�n. In each county there is a County Administrative Board or l�nsstyrelse which is appointed by the Government. In each county there is also a separate County Council or landsting, which is the municipal representation appointed by the county electorate. Each county further divides into a number of municipalities or kommuner, making a total of 289 municipalities, in 2002. There are also older historical divisions of the Swedish Realm, primarily into provinces and lands.

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 Scandinavian mountain chain, 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 M�laren and the �resund region.

Gotland and �land are the two largest Islands of Sweden.

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 labour 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. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown, revenue declines, and spending increases. The Swedish Riksbank is focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth should pick up to 2.3% in 2003, assuming a moderate global recovery.

The Communications and Transportation systems of Sweden are important components of the infrastructure.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Sweden

Sweden has one of the world's highest life expectancies and one of the lowest birth rates. The country counts at least 17,000 Sami among its population. About one fifth of Sweden's population are immigrants or have at least one foreign-born parent. The largest immigrant groups are from Finland, the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Norway, Denmark, and Poland. This reflects the Nordic immigration, earlier periods of labor immigration, and later decades of refugee and family immigration. The proportion of European immigrants has risen, the main reason being the conflicts in former Yugoslavia.

Swedish is a Germanic language related to Danish and Norwegian but different in pronunciation and orthography. English is by far the leading foreign language, particularly among students and those under age 50.

Sweden has an extensive child-care system that guarantees a place for all young children from 2-6 years old in a public day-care facility. From ages 7-16, children attend compulsory comprehensive school. After completing the ninth grade, 90% attend upper secondary school for either academic or technical education.

Swedes benefit from an extensive social welfare system, which provides for childcare and maternity and paternity leave, a ceiling on health care costs, old-age pensions, and sick leave among other benefits. Parents are entitled to a total of 12 months' paid leave between birth and the child's eighth birthday, with one of those months reserved specifically for the father. A ceiling on health care costs makes it easier for Swedish workers to take time off for medical reasons.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Sweden

Swedish 20th century culture is noted by pioneering works in the early days of cinema, with Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sj�str�m. Later on, moguls like Ingmar Bergman and actresses such as Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman and Anita Ekberg made careers abroad.

Swedish music is in many minds connected with ABBA, although more recently indie bands like Soundtrack of our lives and The Hives have started achieving international fame.

Swedish literature is also vibrant and active, Sweden ranking third in the list of countries with most Nobel Prize laureates in literature.

Music of Sweden

Holidays

Main article: Holidays in Sweden

The Swedish holiday calendar consists mainly of Christian holidays. Many of these are however a continuation of pre-christian customs, such as Midsummer and Walpurgis Night. Apart from official holidays and a few de facto holidays there are also official flag day observances and minor observances in the namesday calendar.

Date English Name Local Name Remarks
January 1 New Year's Day
Ny�rsdagen
January 6 Epiphany
Trettondagen
Moveable Friday Good Friday
L�ngfredag The Friday before Easter Sunday
Moveable Sunday Easter Sunday
P�skdagen
Moveable Monday Easter Monday
Annandag p�sk The day after Easter Sunday
May 1 May Day
F�rsta maj See also Walpurgis Night
Moveable Thursday Ascension Day Kristi himmelsf�rdsdag 40 days after Easter
Moveable Sunday Pentecost
Pingstdagen 50 days after Easter
Moveable Monday Whitmonday
Annandag Pingst 51 days after Easter
Third Friday of June Midsummer Eve
Midsommarafton Non official - however a de facto full holiday
Third Saturday of June Midsummer Day
Midsommardagen
First Saturday of November All Saints Day
Alla helgons dag Moved from November 1
December 24 Christmas Eve
Julafton Non official - however a de facto full holiday
December 25 Christmas Day
Juldagen
December 26 Boxing Day Annandag jul
December 31 New Year's Eve
Ny�rsafton Non official - however a de facto full holiday
All Sundays Official holidays - names follow the Liturgical year