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| | The Kingdom of Sweden (Konungariket Sverige) is a country in Northern Europe on Scandinavian peninsula and member of European Union since January 1, 1995 and country, which signed the Schengen agreement. Constitutional monarchy. Kingdom of Sweden is not a member of NATO. Name of the country originates from Scandinavian svear-rige — “Realms of the Swedes”. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden.
With territory of 449 964 km², Sweden occupies third place, with respect to area, amongst the Western European countries and fifth in Europe as a whole.
Political structure:
Head of the state is a king. Since Sweden is a constitutional monarchy, the king has now no power. Country is governed by the government headed by prime minister, who is elected by parliament — Riksdag. Parliament is re-elected every four years through general elections.
During previous elections, Moderate Party garnered record number of votes — 26.1 %, and block, headed by them as a part of four parties — 48.1 % votes.
Fredrik Reinfeldt replaced Goran Persson (Social Democratic Party), who was the Prime Minister of Sweden for 10 years.
Administrative division:
Sweden is divided into 21 districts — county (län) and county Administrative board (länsstyrelse) is head of county, which is appointed by the government. Local governing bodies – (county councils) or landstings exist in each county, which are elected by local population. Each county is further divided into municipalities (kommuners), total number of which constitutes 290 (2008). Historical well-established division of Sweden into provinces and regions also exists.
Geography:
Sweden is located on Scandinavian peninsula in Scandinavia. Sweden has common borders with Norway in the west, Finland in Northeast and with Denmark in Southwest. Sweden is washed by Gulf of Bothnia and Baltic Sea. Ridge of Scandinavian mountains in the western part of the country separates Sweden from Norway.
Despite being situated in northern latitudes, Sweden has temperate climate, basically, thanks to Gulf Stream. Sweden has taiga forests (pine, spruce, birch and aspen) in northern parts, mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forests to south and broad-leaved forests (oak, beech) in extreme south. Sub-Arctic climate dominates in northern mountainous regions. Part of the country is situated beyond northern polar circle, where sun never sets at night during summers and polar nights (unending) ensues during winters. Waters of Baltic sea and Gulf of Bothnia even more soften the climate in eastern parts.
Average temperatures:
Stockholm: January – 2.8°С ; July + 17.2°С
Average duration of daylight in a day:
January: 6 hrs July: 18 hrs
Hydrography
Numerous water sources are available on the territory of Sweden:
* Major lakes:
o Venern;
o Vattern;
o Hjalmaren;
o Malaren
* Rivers
o Kalix alv;
o Skellefte alv
o Ume alv;
o Torne alv
Economy:
Main resources of economy are timber, hydraulic power and iron ore. Economy is focused predominantly on foreign trade.
About 90 % of production is done by private companies, such as Ericsson AB, Alfa Laval Group, IKEA and about 50% of them belongs to mechanical engineering. Agriculture makes only 2% of GDP.
Drive of the government towards strict financial discipline has led to budget surplus in 2001 and in 2002 it has decreased by two times due global economic recession, reduction in incomes and increase in expenditures.
Central bank of Sweden (Riksbank) strives to support stable currency rate and retention of inflation level at 2 %.
Growth of GDP in 2005 was at 2.7 % (in 2004 — 3.7 %). Since 2001, unemployment increased and in March 2005, unemployment stood at 5.5% according to official data.
Communication and transport are the most important components of general infrastructure of the country.
Nuclear power plants of Sweden:
* Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant;
* Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant;
* Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant
Population
Apart from Swedes, more than 17000 Lapps, more than 50 000 radical Finns and also more than 450 000 ethnic Finns, who immigrated to the country during XXth century and also their descendants live in Sweden.
Before the World War I, Swedish nation was mainly the nation of emigrants. Situation changed after the World War II; now, about 12 % of the population were born abroad and approximately fifth part of the population are immigrants or their descendants. Maximum number of immigrants in Sweden is from Finland, former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Iran, Norway, Poland and Denmark. Demographic situation reflects the migration between countries of Northern Europe, early periods of labor immigration and late periods of resettlement of refugees and their families.
De facto language is Swedish, belonging to group of German languages, related to Norwegian and Danish languages but differs in pronunciation and orthography.
Average life expectancy in men is 78 years and in women is 82 years. |
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This coming Friday is the Official Flag Day in Sweden and is the Namesday of Swedish Queen Silvia.
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