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Sweden is one of the countries of the
Scandinavian part of Europe. The
Swedish summer blossoms in hundreds of colors. Behind every hill another
landscape with lovely lakes and rough rocks appears. Sweden has almost
3.000 kilometers of beaches. The salmon swims in front of your own jetty
and the midnight sun is one of the most fascinating natural events in
Sweden.
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.
Sweden has 25
provinces. Each of them has its own special character, culture
and traditions. The country's landscape is highly varied, which is not
surprising, given its 2,000 km (1,240 miles) length from north to south.
Skåne in the south is flat and fertile, Småland is a region of deep
forests, and Bohuslän in the west has a rocky coastline. In the east
Södermanland and Uppland share a unique archipelago, while further north
are the region of Dalarna with its delightful Lake Siljan, the gentle
mountains of Jämtland and the high peaks of Lapland. Sweden's highest
mountain is Kebnekaise, 2,117 metres (6,950 ft) above sea level.
The country has a population of 8.9 million, with about 85% living in the
southern half of the country. Around 85% belong to the Church of Sweden,
which is Lutheran. Swedish is a Germanic language.
Like other industrialized countries, Sweden has a low birth rate. It rose
during the 1980s and early 1990s but is now in decline again. Life
expectancy is high—about 76 years for men and 82 for women. Since the
1940s, immigration—mostly from neighboring Scandinavian countries but also
from elsewhere in the world—has accounted for over 40% of the population
growth. Sweden has two minority groups of native inhabitants in the north:
the Finnish-speaking people of the northeast and the Sami (Lapp)
population
The capital of Sweden is Stockholm.
Both Swedes and non-Swedes agree : it is the most beautiful city of the
country and also a trendy city. The atmosphere in Stockholm is very
relaxed and international. The city has a certain "grandeur" because of
the many lakes, parks, broad avenues, palaces and other monumental
buildings. Everywhere there are nice shops, cafés, restaurants, theatres
and museums. For those who visit Stockholm in the winter : don't forget
you ice-scates.
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