Country name : Kingdom of Sweden (the kingdom of Sweden)
Area : 449,964 square kilometers
Population : 8.87 million (end of 1999)
Capital : Stockholm
Currency : Swedish kronor (currency symbols : SKr) ; 1 USD = 8.27 SEK

Country Profiles
The Kingdom of Sweden is located at the south-east of Scandinavian Peninsula with an area of 450,000 square kilometers and 7,624 km long coastline. It has 8.87 million population, 90% live in the central and southern parts. 。 Swede accounted for about 90%, and the other are Finns and Sami people. 96% of the residents are Lutheran Christians. From 1397, Sweden was subject under the control of the Danish Kalmar Union and in 1523 it regained its independence. In the two world wars, it declared neutrality. In May 9, 1950 it established diplomatic relations with China.

From north to south, the country is divided into four major physiographic zones: mountain, lowland lakes, the lower plateau and the southern plains. The mountain has a land area of about 2 / 3. Kaibune, the highest mountain in Sweden has an elevation of 2,111 meters. The southern Plains are the most densely populated.

Climate

15 % of the land is within the Arctic Circle. During winter there is no sun for almost two months. In the central and southern, it has relatively mild climate. In February, the average temperature is -12 degrees in northern and -0.7 degrees in the southern. The average temperature in July is 12.8 degrees in the north and 17.2 degrees in the south. The average annual precipitation is 555 mm
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History

In the Year 1100, Sweden began to form a unified country. In 1157 it was occupied by Finland, in 1397 by Denmark, and in 1523 it regained independence. Between 1600 to 1718, Sweden is among the "heyday" territories, including the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Denmark parts. Switzerland and Russia in 1809 after the war lost Netherlands. Norwegian independence was in 1905. Since then Sweden has not become involved in any war and remained neutral became a full member of the EU in January 1, 1995.

Political System

Swedish political system implements constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The King is the Head of State and the Parliament is the country's sole legislative body and the country's highest executive body. The King as a national symbol serves as the representative or performs ceremonial duties. King Carl XVI - Gustav on Sept. 15, 1973 was enthronement. The Daughter Victoria is the king's successor. The Parliament is a unicameral with a total of 349 members. There are seven political parties namely the SPD, the Left Party, the environment party, the Conservative Party, the People's Party, the central party and the Christian Democratic Party.

Economy

The economy of Sweden started to develop in the private business sector with relatively perfect state-run public services combining the "mixed economy."

The three major natural resources formed the development of mining metallurgy, forestry paper, electrical and mechanical manufacturing. In 1970’s, Sweden increase its investment for the scientific and technological development. There is a rapid development of high-tech industries, transport, communications, medicine and health, and information.

Agriculture is quite well developed and the cultivated land area is only 9% and only 3% of the labor force is engaged in agricultural production. Sweden is self-sufficient in food and animal products.

Sweden also improved its infrastructure, highways, railways, airport and ports. Because of the quality of its construction and management, Sweden is one of the countries with the most developed transport.

Important cities
Stockholm is Sweden's capital and it is the first major city in the country. It is located in the Baltic Sea and Lake Malaren Interchange. The area is 200 square kilometers and consists of 14 islands. The Wupulan and Sena Manlan are the two land areas formed. Stockholm has more than 700 years of history and it is a developed national political and cultural center as well as National Economic and communications center. The industries are iron and steel, machinery manufacturing, chemical industry, papermaking, printing, food and other important industries. 60% of all of the country's enterprises and the banking company's headquarters are located in here. Bordering cities and the coastal area are beautiful. The style of big and small islands varied.

Gothenburg , Sweden is the first port and the second largest industrial city. Gothenburg port is the main trading port between Sweden and western Europe. The mechanical, chemical and textile industries are developed. The well known SKF company's headquarters and the Volvo car company's headquarters are located in the city. The universities in Gothenburg are the Institute of Oceanography, Gothenburg Engineering College and others. Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the tourists’ attractions. In the 17th century, The Royal Residence was constructed and in 1699 was the construction of the old government. In the middle of the 18th century, the Swedish East India Company was established and in 1815 hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists go to Sweden for sightseeing.

Malm? is Sweden's third largest city, a naval base and traffic hub. The city is located in the southernmost tip of Sweden. Malm? urban was divided into two parts. The first is the endangered marine part and the other is the hinterland modernization District. The buildings are full of characteristics and the city government building is a Dutch Renaissance style of architecture. St. Peter's Cathedral is Gothic architecture. Many are exquisite buildings built in the 16th century. Shipbuilding, chemical, textiles, sugar, cement, rubber and other industries are especially well-developed.

Uppsala , Sweden in the east is an ancient city with rich culture. It has the old dynasty— Zibo. It also has the endangered Felice River and Lake Malaren. Sweden's oldest university-University of Uppsala is located here. The city has more than 10 museums with specialized exhibits. The coronation ceremony of the King of Sweden was held at Uppsala. Uppsala bicycles, metal machinery, pottery, as well as food and other products are known industries.

Shikangsen Museum in the City of Stockholm is an Open Folk Museum. It was created in 1891. Shikangsen Museum, from various angles, demonstrates old Swedish folk life.

China Palace is located in a suburb Stockholm Queen's Island. This is a Chinese-style palace with a mixture of the French style architecture. The whole building was bow-shaped. The indoor is almost all Chinese style. Chinese landscape painting hung on the wall like bird Vistas and calligraphy scroll.

The Nobel Memorial Hall - was built in 1975. It has a collection of Nobel’s photographs, various technical invention patent certificates and gold medals.