Sweden - Term Explanation on IndexSuche.Com

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, Finland on the northeast, the Skagerrak and the Kattegat on the southwest, and the Baltic_Sea and the Gulf_of_Bothnia on the east. Due to the relatively small number of inhabitants, Sweden's landscape is known for its peace and the large forests and mountainous wilderness. {| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300"> |+ Konungariket Sverige |- | style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan="2"| {| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 align=center width=140px | | |- align=center width=140px .html">In Detail) .html">Full Size) |} |- style="border-bottom:3px solid gray; font-size:-1;"> .html">Royal motto: För Sverige i tiden''(For Sweden - With the times)'' |- | align=center colspan=2 | |- .html">Official language | None¹ |- | Capital | Stockholm |- .html">King .html">Carl XVI Gustaf |- .html">Prime Minister | Göran_Persson |- | Area - Total - % water .html">Ranked 54th449,964 km² 8.67% |- .html">Density.html">Population density|Density .html">Ranked 82nd 8,875,053 20/km² |- | Unification .html">9th-12th_century |- |Currency | Swedish krona |- | Time_zone .html">UTC +1 |- | National_anthem | Du_gamla,_Du_fria |- .html">Internet TLD | .SE |- .html">Calling Code | 46 |- .html">Swedish ''de facto'' national language |}

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 1521, when Gustav Eriksson Vasa, known as king Gustav_I_of_Sweden from 1523, re-established separation of the Swedish Crown from the union. The 17th_century saw Sweden emerge as one of the great powers 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 a small exception for the Winter_War). It continued to stay non-aligned during the Cold_War and is today not a member of any military alliance but has participated in NATO military trainings. 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 Sweden became bicameral, with ''Första 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. ; 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. ''Grundlagen'' (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 ''län''. In each county there is a County Administrative Board or ''länsstyrelse'' 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.

Västernorrland_County

Västmanland_County

Västra_Götaland_County

Örebro_County

Östergötland_County

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 Mälaren and the Öresund region. Gotland and Öland 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. The Swedish nation has been transformed from a nation of emigration ending after World_War_I to a nation of immigration from World_War_II and on. Almost 12% of the residents are born abroad, and about one fifth of Sweden's population is either immigrants or children of immigrants. The largest immigrant groups are from Finland, the former Yugoslavia, Iran, Norway, Denmark, and Poland. This reflects the inter-Nordic migrations, earlier periods of labor immigration, and later decades of refugee and family immigration. The Finns were the first large group of immigrants to contemporary Sweden. During World War II some 70,000 war children were evacuated from Finland. 15,000 of them stayed after the war, and many more returned as adults. Post-war hardship in Finland pushed large contingents of unemployed Finns to Sweden's booming economy in the 1950s–60s. At its height, over 400,000 Finns lived in Sweden, but following the 1973_energy_crisis the unemployment rate in Sweden worsened while steady Soviet trade was to Finland's advantage. Since then, the number of immigrated Sweden-Finns has decreased to below 200,000. Soviet intervention against the 1956_Hungarian_Revolution and the 1968 Czechoslovakian liberalization resulted in the first surges of intellectual political_refugees. American deserters from the Vietnam_War often found refuge among the Swedes, who in international politics took a clear stand against imperialism both by the Soviet Union and the US. After the 1973_coup_in_Chile, and the following military dictatures in Chile and other South_American countries, political refugees came to dominate the image of immigration to Sweden, including refugees from Iraq, Iran and Palestine. Of the refugees from the Yugoslav_wars, 135,000 remain in Sweden (2001). 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. The Swedish_language has held a ''de facto'' dominant position to such a degree that making it an official_language never has been a political issue. Five minority languages was recognized as official_language on april_1 in 2000. Three of them, Sami, Meänkieli, and Finnish, may be used in dealing with municipal and government agencies, courts, preschools and nursing_homes in parts of Norrbotten_County. Due to the possible loss of European_Union act and document translations, the question of making the Swedish language to official language has been raised but meet with scepticism (since no suitable punishment exists.) 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 480 days' paid leave between birth and the child's eighth birthday, with 30 days reserved specifically for each parent. 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_Sjöström. 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. Also worthy of mention are Roxette, Ace_of_Base, The_Cardigans, and Yngwie_J._Malmsteen Swedish literature is also vibrant and active, Sweden ranking third in the list of countries with most Nobel_Prize laureates in literature.

Cuisine_of_Sweden

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. DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks January_1 New_Year's Day ''Nyårsdagen'' January_6 Epiphany ''Trettondagen'' ''Moveable Friday''Good_Friday ''Långfredag''The Friday before Easter Sunday ''Moveable Sunday''Easter_Sunday ''Påskdagen'' ''Moveable Monday''Easter Monday ''Annandag påsk''The day after Easter Sunday May_1 May_Day ''Första maj''See also Walpurgis_Night ''Moveable Thursday''Ascension_Day''Kristi himmelsfärdsdag''40 days after Easter ''Moveable Sunday''Pentecost ''Pingstdagen''50 days after Easter ''Moveable Monday''Whitmonday ''Annandag Pingst''51 days after Easter Friday before Midsummer day Midsummer Eve ''Midsommarafton''Non official - ''however a de facto full holiday'' Saturday between June 20 and 26Midsummer Day ''Midsommardagen'' Saturday between October_31 and November_6 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 ''Nyårsafton''Non official - ''however a de facto full holiday'' All Sundays Official holidays - ''names follow the Liturgical_year''

Miscellaneous topics

Allemansrätten

Government_Agencies_in_Sweden

Education_in_Sweden

List_of_universities_in_Sweden

Ethnic_Swedes

Foreign_relations_of_Sweden

Military_of_Sweden

List_of_Swedish_wars

Swedish_Royal_Academies

Non-governmental_organizations_in_Sweden

Communications_in_Sweden

Transportation_in_Sweden

Media_in_Sweden

Catholic_Church_of_Sweden

Tourism_in_Sweden

List_of_Sweden-related_topics

List_of_Swedes

List_of_Swedish_companies

List_of_Swedish_television_channels

List_of_Swedish_radio_stations

List_of_Swedish_newspapers

References

CIA_World_Factbook -

Home | Index | mail

Search at Google.Com | Search at MSN.Com

History:
Copyright (c) 2004
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled
"GNU Free Documentation License".