Sweden: official language, capital, head of state.
Sweden is distinguished by its low density (10 million people live here - less than in Moscow), long sea coast, dense forests and countless lakes. This is one of the northernmost countries in the world. In area it is comparable to Spain, Thailand or the American state of California. Sweden's borders have not changed since 1905, and the country has not been involved in wars since 1814 - which makes Sweden one of the most peace-loving countries on the globe.
Contrasts of day and night
Riches of wildlife
The diversity of Sweden's landscapes is matched by the abundance of its fauna: from wolves and brown bears in the north to roe deer and wild boars in the south. Biological diversity is the result of the richness of the plant and aquatic world.
The country, large by European standards, stretches from north to south for 1572 km. According to the climate zone, coniferous forests, in particular pine and spruce, predominate in Sweden. The further south you go, the more often they are adjacent to deciduous groves: birch and aspen. The very south of Sweden is gentle, picturesque fields and hills, thinned out by copses and surrounded by long sandy beaches. Thanks to the limestone-rich soil combined with a mild climate, the islands of Gotland, Öland and parts of the Scandinavian Mountains are characterized by a special flora, including a variety of orchid species.
Facts and figures
Capital: Stockholm
Population: 10 million
Total area: 528,447 sq. km, third largest country in Western Europe, after France and Spain
Lifespan: Men – 81 years old, women – 84 years old
Population born outside the country: 17%
Religion: The Church of Sweden is Evangelical Lutheran. Numerous other faiths and religions are also represented in the country.
Language: Swedish
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy
Parliament: Riksdag, unicameral, 349 deputies
Education: 9 years of compulsory schooling, most students study for 12 years (including “grammar school”). About a third continue their education at universities and colleges.
Working hours: The standard working week is 40 hours, the minimum paid vacation is 5 weeks.
Telephone code: +46
Internet domain:.se
Timezone: GMT +1
Currency: 1 crown (SEK) = 100 ore
GDP per capita (PPP): USD 51,475
GNI per capita: USD 49,680
Population largest cities(including suburbs):
Stockholm: 2,315,612
Gothenburg: 1,015,974
Malmo: 721,926
Main export products: Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals and plastic products, electronics and telecommunications equipment, energy products, industrial equipment, road vehicles, minerals, food
National parks
In 1910, Sweden became the first European state to establish National parks. The beginning was made in mountain ranges Norrland, a region in the north of the country. This helped save one of the last corners of pristine nature in Europe from destruction. Then, throughout Sweden, vast areas were declared nature reserves and protected cultural heritage areas.
Rule of universal access to natural areas ( allemänsrätten) states that everyone has the right to walk through forests and meadows, pick berries and mushrooms - without separate permission from landowners. But this right also comes with obvious responsibilities: to respect private property and.
Geography of Sweden
Length from north to south: 1,574 km
Length from west to east: 499 km
Urbanized and industrial areas: 3%
Agricultural grounds: 8%
Forests: 53% Swamps: 9%
Fields: 7% Mountains: 12%
Lakes and rivers: 9%
Highest mountain: Kebnekaise (2,103 m)
Largest lake: Vänern (5,650 sq. km)
National symbols of Sweden
The official Swedish heraldry is the yellow and blue flag, the national symbol “Three Crowns”, the national anthem, as well as the coat of arms in two versions: large and small. Ancient images blue flag with a yellow cross, which have survived to this day, date back to the 16th century. The symbol of the yellow cross itself has been applied to banners and standards in the Swedish army since time immemorial. It is based on the outlines of the ancient coat of arms of the kingdom with a blue background, divided into four parts by a golden cross. The sign of the "three crowns" has been used as the state emblem of Sweden since at least 1336, but long before that it was known to Europeans as a symbol of the "Three Wise Kings".
Since 1916, June 6 has appeared in the Swedish calendar. In 1983 it was renamed Swedish National Day, and in 2004 it was proclaimed public holiday and weekends. The date was chosen for two reasons: on June 6, 1523, the first Swedish king, Gustav Vasa, ascended the throne, and on the same day in 1809, the country adopted a new Constitution, which granted its citizens.
Swedish national anthem
The text of “Du Gamla, Du Fria” (“You are ancient, you are free”) was composed by the balladist and folklorist Richard Dubeck (1811-1877), and its musical basis was a mid-19th century folk melody from the Västmanland province in central Sweden. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, this ballad became so popular that it was declared national anthem Sweden.
Sweden is distinguished by its low population density (10 million people live here - less than in Moscow), a long sea coast, dense forests and countless lakes. This is one of the northernmost countries in the world. In area it is comparable to Spain, Thailand or the American state of California. Sweden's borders have not changed since 1905, and the country has not been involved in wars since 1814 - which makes Sweden one of the most peace-loving countries on the globe.
Contrasts of day and night
Riches of wildlife
The diversity of Sweden's landscapes is matched by the abundance of its fauna: from wolves and brown bears in the north to roe deer and wild boars in the south. Biological diversity is the result of the richness of the plant and aquatic world.
The country, large by European standards, stretches from north to south for 1572 km. According to the climate zone, coniferous forests, in particular pine and spruce, predominate in Sweden. The further south you go, the more often they are adjacent to deciduous groves: birch and aspen. The very south of Sweden is gentle, picturesque fields and hills, thinned by copses and surrounded by long sandy beaches. Thanks to the limestone-rich soil combined with a mild climate, the islands of Gotland, Öland and parts of the Scandinavian Mountains are characterized by a special flora, including a variety of orchid species.
Facts and figures
Capital: Stockholm
Population: 10 million
Total area: 528,447 sq. km, third largest country in Western Europe, after France and Spain
Lifespan: Men – 81 years old, women – 84 years old
Population born outside the country: 17%
Religion: The Church of Sweden is Evangelical Lutheran. Numerous other faiths and religions are also represented in the country.
Language: Swedish
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy
Parliament: Riksdag, unicameral, 349 deputies
Education: 9 years of compulsory schooling, most students study for 12 years (including “grammar school”). About a third continue their education at universities and colleges.
Working hours: The standard working week is 40 hours, the minimum paid vacation is 5 weeks.
Telephone code: +46
Internet domain:.se
Timezone: GMT +1
Currency: 1 crown (SEK) = 100 ore
GDP per capita (PPP): USD 51,475
GNI per capita: USD 49,680
Population of largest cities (including suburbs):
Stockholm: 2,315,612
Gothenburg: 1,015,974
Malmo: 721,926
Main export products: Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals and plastic products, electronics and telecommunications equipment, energy products, industrial equipment, road vehicles, minerals, food
National parks
In 1910, Sweden became the first European state to establish national parks. The beginning was made in the mountain ranges of Norrland, a region in the north of the country. This helped save one of the last corners of pristine nature in Europe from destruction. Then, throughout Sweden, vast areas were declared nature reserves and protected cultural heritage areas.
Rule of universal access to natural areas ( allemänsrätten) states that everyone has the right to walk through forests and meadows, pick berries and mushrooms - without separate permission from landowners. But this right also comes with obvious responsibilities: to respect private property and take care of nature.
Geography of Sweden
Length from north to south: 1,574 km
Length from west to east: 499 km
Urbanized and industrial areas: 3%
Agricultural grounds: 8%
Forests: 53% Swamps: 9%
Fields: 7% Mountains: 12%
Lakes and rivers: 9%
Highest mountain: Kebnekaise (2,103 m)
Largest lake: Vänern (5,650 sq. km)
National symbols of Sweden
The official Swedish heraldry is the yellow and blue flag, the national symbol “Three Crowns”, the national anthem, as well as the coat of arms in two versions: large and small. The oldest images of a blue flag with a yellow cross that have survived to this day date back to the 16th century. The symbol of the yellow cross itself has been applied to banners and standards in the Swedish army since time immemorial. It is based on the outlines of the ancient coat of arms of the kingdom with a blue background, divided into four parts by a golden cross. The sign of the "three crowns" has been used as the state emblem of Sweden since at least 1336, but long before that it was known to Europeans as a symbol of the "Three Wise Kings".
Since 1916, Swedish Flag Day has appeared on the Swedish calendar - June 6th. In 1983 it was renamed Swedish National Day, and in 2004 it was declared a public holiday and a day off. The date was chosen for two reasons: on June 6, 1523, the first Swedish king, Gustav Vasa, ascended the throne, and on the same day in 1809, the country adopted a new Constitution that granted citizens civil liberties and rights.
Swedish national anthem
The text of “Du Gamla, Du Fria” (“You are ancient, you are free”) was composed by the balladist and folklorist Richard Dubeck (1811-1877), and its musical basis was a mid-19th century folk melody from the Västmanland province in central Sweden. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, this ballad became so popular that it was declared the national anthem of Sweden.
The kingdom occupies the eastern and southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and the islands of Öland and Gotland in the Baltic Sea. In the west it borders with Norway, in the northeast - with Finland, in the east and south it is washed by waters Baltic Sea, separating in the south from Denmark.
The name of the country comes from the Scandinavian svear-rige - “state of the Svens”.
Official name: Kingdom of Sweden (Konungariket Sverige).
Capital:
The area of the land: 450.5 thousand sq. km
Total Population: 9.3 million people
Administrative division: Sweden is divided into 24 counties.
Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.
Head of State: King.
Population composition: 91% are Swedes, 3% are Finns, Sami, Norwegians, Danes, people from the former Yugoslavia, Greeks, Turks. For many centuries the country was ethnically very homogeneous, consisting of Swedes and Sami themselves.
Official language: Swedish, Finnish, Meänkieli and Sami are also spoken.
Religion: 87% are Lutheran, there are also Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Muslims, Jews, and Buddhists.
Internet domain: .se
Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz
Country dialing code: +46
Country barcode: 730-739
Climate
Since the territory of Sweden has a significant extent in the submeridional direction, in the north of the country it is much colder and the growing season is shorter than in the south. The length of day and night varies accordingly. However, in general Sweden has a higher frequency of sunny and dry weather than many other countries in North-West Europe, especially in winter.
Despite the fact that 15% of the country is located beyond the Arctic Circle, and all of it is located north of 55° N, due to the influence of winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean, the climate is quite mild. Such climatic conditions are favorable for forest development, comfortable stay people and doing more productive Agriculture than in continental regions located at the same latitudes. Throughout Sweden, winters are long and summers are short.
In Lund in southern Sweden average temperature January 0.8° C, July 16.4° C, and the average annual temperature is 7.2° C. In Karesuando in the north of the country the corresponding figures are -14.5° C, 13.1° C and –2.8° C Snow falls annually throughout Sweden, but snow cover in Skåne lasts only 47 days, while in Karesuando it lasts 170–190 days. Ice cover on lakes lasts on average 115 days in the south of the country, 150 days in the central regions and at least 200 days in the northern regions. Off the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, freeze-up begins around mid-November and lasts until the end of May. Fog is common in the northern Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia.
The average annual precipitation ranges from 460 mm on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea and the far north of the country to 710 mm in west coast Southern Sweden. In the northern regions it is 460–510 mm, in the central regions – 560 mm, and in the southern regions – slightly more than 580 mm. Largest quantity precipitation falls at the end of summer (in some places there is a second maximum in October), the least - from February to April. The number of days with stormy winds ranges from 20 per year on the west coast to 8–2 on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia.
Geography
Sweden is located in Northern Europe, in the eastern and southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the west, Sweden borders on Norway, in the north-east on Finland, and on the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. In the south, the straits Öresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak separate Sweden from Denmark. Sweden includes two large islands in the Baltic - Gotland and Öland.
The terrain of the country is elevated, the northwestern part of the country is mountainous (the highest point is Mount Kebnekaise, 2111 m) and is framed on the east by a vast plateau; in the south the terrain is flatter and abounds in rivers and lakes (there are almost 90 thousand reservoirs in the country). Most of the country is covered with forests; in the north, vast areas are occupied by the tundra zone of Swedish Lapland. The coastline is heavily indented and abounds with skerries and island groups. The area of the country is 450 thousand square meters. km.
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
Based on the nature of natural vegetation in Sweden, there are five main areas confined to certain latitudinal zones:
1) alpine region, combining the northernmost and most elevated areas, with a predominance of colorful short grass and dwarf forms of shrubs;
2) an area of crooked birch forest, where squat trees with strongly curved trunks grow - mainly birch, less often aspen and rowan;
3) the northern region of coniferous forests (the largest in the country) - with a predominance of pine and spruce;
4) the southern region of coniferous forests (largely cleared); in the surviving massifs, oak, ash, elm, linden, maple and other broad-leaved species are mixed with coniferous species;
5) area of beech forests (almost not preserved); in these forests, along with beech, there are oak, alder and, in some places, pine.
In addition, azonal vegetation is widespread. Lush meadow vegetation grows around the lakes, and swamps with specific flora are common in some places. On the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea, halophytic communities (plants growing on saline soils) are common.
Animal world
In Sweden there are such forest inhabitants as elk, brown bear, wolverine, lynx, fox, marten, squirrel, and mountain hare. American mink and muskrat were brought from North America several decades ago for breeding in fur farms, but some individuals escaped and formed quite viable populations in nature, which quickly spread throughout the country (excluding some islands and the far north) and displaced a number of local animal species from their ecological niches. There are still wild reindeer in northern Sweden.
Ducks, geese, swans, gulls, terns and other birds nest along the shores of seas and lakes. The rivers are home to salmon, trout, perch, and in the north – grayling.
Attractions
The country is abundantly endowed with natural beauty and attractions - the green fields of the south of the country and the harsh tundra of Lapland, the green hills of the west and the wooded cliffs of Norrbotten, the picturesque islands and skerries of the south and the calm shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, a huge lake system and many wild animals - all this attracts to the country huge number tourists. And its rich history and beautiful cities will allow you to get acquainted with the unique culture of the country.
Banks and currency
Swedish krona. 1 crown is equal to 100 ore. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10 crowns and coins in 10, 5, 1 crown and 50 öre.
Banks are open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 to 15:00, and on Thursday from 9:30 to 17:30. Exchange offices at airports, train stations, and marinas are open seven days a week.
Currency exchange is carried out in banks, exchange offices and post offices.
Useful information for tourists
Regular store opening hours are from 10.00 to 18.00 on weekdays and from 10.00 to 15.00 on Saturdays. Many shops are also open on Sunday. Large department stores are open every day, but on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays they have shorter working hours. In July, the “industrial holidays” begin (until mid-August), when all enterprises are closed and institutions operate in a “saving” mode.
Physiographic characteristics
Geographical position
Sweden is a country in Northern Europe located in the eastern and southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In terms of area (449,964 km²), Sweden ranks third among Western European countries and fifth among countries in all of Europe. In the west, Sweden borders with Norway (border length 1619 km), in the northeast with Finland (614 km), and from the east and south it is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. The total length of the borders is 2,333 km. In the south, the straits Öresund, Kattegat and Skagerrak separate Sweden from Denmark. Sweden includes two large islands in the Baltic - Gotland and Öland.
Despite its location in northern latitudes, Sweden is a country with a temperate climate, mainly due to the Gulf Stream. The northern, western and eastern regions of Sweden are protected from the Atlantic winds by the Scandinavian mountains, so the winters here are colder and the summers are short. The average temperature in January is approximately −14 °C, and in some areas up to −16 °C. In summer the average temperature is +17 °C. In southwestern Sweden from Gothenburg to Malmö and on the Baltic islands, climatic conditions are moderated by warm Atlantic winds. Winters here are warmer, and summers are longer, but rainy.
In the northern parts, taiga forests predominate (pine, spruce, birch, aspen), to the south - mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forests, in the extreme south - broad-leaved (oak, beech). In the northern mountainous areas Subarctic climate dominates. Part of the country is located above the Arctic Circle, where the sun does not set at night during the summer and the polar night occurs in winter. The waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia further soften the climate in the eastern parts.
In the east is the Norrland plateau (altitude from 200 to 800 m). In the extreme south is the Småland highland. Sweden is characterized by hilly moraine landscapes, podzolic soils, which are characterized by strong rockiness, low thickness, a predominance of sandy and gravelly varieties, high acidity, as well as coniferous forests. Arable land takes up 8%. Most of the country is covered with forests (53%), according to this indicator Sweden ranks first in Europe. Taiga forests predominate on podzolic soils, forming large tracts north of 60° N. w. and consisting mainly of pine and spruce, with an admixture of birch, aspen and other hardwoods. To the south there are mixed coniferous-deciduous forests on soddy-podzolic soils, and on the Skåne Peninsula there are broad-leaved forests of oak and beech on brown forest soils. In the north, vast areas are occupied by the tundra zone of Swedish Lapland. The coastline is heavily indented and abounds with skerries and island groups. Length coastline 3,218 km.
Relief
In Sweden, two large natural regions can be distinguished - northern and southern. The topography in the north and west is dominated by plateaus and mountains, along the border with Norway stretch the Scandinavian Mountains, where the highest mountain Kebnekaise has a height of 2123 m. Between the Scandinavian Mountains and the Gulf of Bothnia on the Baltic Sea lie the Norland Plateau, the Central Swedish Lowlands and the Småland Highlands. The southern peninsula of Skåne is flat.
Climate
Since the territory of Sweden has a significant extent in the submeridional direction, in the north of the country it is much colder and the growing season is much shorter than in the south. The length of day and night varies accordingly. However, in general, Sweden has a higher frequency of sunny and dry weather than many other countries in North-West Europe, especially in winter. The main territory of Sweden has a temperate climate, strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream. The average temperature in January is from −16 °C in the north to +1 °C in the southwest, in July - from +2 °C in the mountains to +17 °C in the south of the country. The absolute minimum temperature was recorded in Laxbacken (−53.3 °C). At the same time, this is the lowest temperature in the territory foreign Europe(except for European Russia and Scandinavia, and in Vuoggachalm, equal to −52.6 °C, the absolute maximum was recorded in Molilla and Ultuna and amounted to +38.0 °C. The average annual temperature throughout Sweden is on average −7.5 °C .
Geological structure and minerals
Geologically, most of Sweden is located within the Baltic Shield, composed of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks, mainly granite.
The mining industry is represented by the extraction and beneficiation of iron ore (share in world production - 2%, reserves - 3.4 billion tons), copper (1.2%, reserves - 1.6 million tons), lead (3.8%, reserves - 2.3 million tons), zinc (3.7%, 2.4 million tons) and sulfide ores. Sweden is Europe's main exporter of iron ore. Largest deposits iron ore are found in Northern Sweden (Kiruna, Gällivare, etc.). Uranium, pyrite, gold, silver, tungsten, arsenic, feldspar, graphite, limestone, quartz, sulfur, manganese ores, rare elements and fluorite, as well as minerals are also mined. Sweden's raw materials potential is quite large; it almost completely provides its own production with the main types of raw materials, as well as its export, but many deposits are difficult to develop. In Sweden, special legislation has been developed in this regard, which reduces the risk of irrational use of resources. Sweden's mining industry is well developed, but there are still many undiscovered deposits, and many minerals have potential for exploration.
Inland waters
About 10% of the country's area is occupied by lakes. The largest of them - Vänern (5,545 sq. km) and Vättern (1,898 sq. km) - are located in the south of the country. The rivers that carry their waters to the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat Strait are turbulent and rapid, and have significant hydropower potential. Timber rafting is carried out along many rivers. The main rivers are Kalix-Elv, Skellefte-Elv, Ume-Elv, Turne-Elv.
Hydrography
| Foreign policy at the beginning of the 20th century Foreign policy was largely determined by two aspects of international relations of that time: firstly, these were the pre-war years, and the great powers had been preparing for a war for the redistribution of the world for quite some time. Secondly, the foreign policy activities of the North European countries was associated with their different bloc orientations and emphasized neutrality in European and world conflicts. Long before the First World War, Sweden experienced strong German influence. Sweden was inclined towards an alliance with Germany and intensified military preparations, justifying them with the danger from Russia caused by Russia's policy in Finland. At the beginning of the war, all Scandinavian countries declared their neutrality. But this neutrality still leaned in favor of one or another of the warring parties. Sweden was favorable to Germany. At the beginning of the war, Sweden declared its neutrality. During the war between political parties Sweden maintained civil peace. There was a special management system and a card system. The neutral position had a beneficial effect on economic development. Already in the first years of the war, Sweden was inundated with orders from the warring parties, and therefore the state managed to expand production, pay off debts on foreign loans, and accumulate large gold reserves. Sweden supplied industrial raw materials to Germany. Swedish enterprises began to make very good money by supplying military goods, iron and food to Germany. (In general, there was a movement in Sweden in support of Germany - the “activist movement.”) But this provoked protest from England, which blocked Swedish shipping. This, combined with a bad harvest, caused a severe food crisis in 1918. Political contradictions escalated to such an intensity that it seemed that Sweden was on the verge of revolution. After the Entente allies blocked Sweden, a conflict almost began, which was extinguished with with great difficulty. In the last period of the war, the whole of Scandinavia was already oriented towards an alliance with the Entente. The decisions of the Paris Peace Conference were important for this region. Germany's defeat in 1918 gave rise to even more persistent demands for further democratization. Domestic policy during the interwar period After the war, in the elections to the second chamber of the Riksdag, the Liberals and Social Democrats jointly won a majority, the leaders of the two parties, Niels Eden and Hjalmar Branting, united to form a government. This majority coalition is generally regarded as a definite breakthrough in the history of parliamentarism in Sweden. The city reform did not satisfy many parties, so demands were made for further democratization of the electoral system. The political situation in Europe and Sweden contributed to the fact that the Eden-Branting cabinet achieved an agreement on a constitutional issue at an emergency session of the Riksdag in the city. In the city, it acquired the status of a constitutional law. The new suffrage law abolished the existing property qualification for municipal elections. The law gave women, along with men, the right to vote and the right to be elected. Complete democratization of the electoral system meant an increase in the influence of industrial workers and, consequently, the Social Democratic Party on politics. Sweden was expected to recover quickly after the war, but here, as in the rest of Europe, depression began as a result of deflation after the First World War, which led to a fall in industrial production 25% below 1913 levels. Unemployment exceeded 25%. But in the mid-1920s. The situation began to improve, unemployment decreased, which raised the standard of living of large groups of the population. In 1930, Sweden was hit by a global economic crisis: demand for exported products fell sharply, which caused a reduction in production and high unemployment of up to 30%. Foreign exchange reserves decreased, Sweden was forced to abandon the exchange of paper money for gold. Social democratic welfare policy (1932-1939) The period of the “red-green” coalition (1951-1957) During this period, a tough economic policy was pursued due to rising prices and inflation. A coalition government of Social Democrats and the Peasant Union was formed in the city. The years of political cooperation have been relatively quiet for Sweden. Government parties focused their attention on carrying out the reforms they had begun: sickness insurance, indexation of pensions and child benefits, scholarships for students, etc. The real increase in wages in the 1950s made it possible for all groups of the population to increase their living standards every year like never before there was a high demand for goods and services, but the 1950s were the years of the housing crisis. By this time the coalition had collapsed. The trend of uniform economic growth that characterized the development of the Swedish economy after the Korean War continued throughout the 1960s. and in the early 1970s. Between 1973 and 1973, the value of industrial output in Sweden in constant monetary terms increased by 280%. The “Swedish model” reached its peak during these years. Cooperation between labor and capital, the conclusion of centralized contracts, liberal economic policies aimed at increasing economic growth - all this contributed to the creation of relations of trust between parties in the labor market. The standard of living in Sweden has become one of the highest in the world. Industrial profits and wages grew at record rates. A policy of wage solidarity was put forward as a fundamental principle for action on the labor market. There was a significant expansion of the public sector, which was a logical consequence of the creation of a welfare society. Infrastructure - roads, hospitals, schools, communications - developed at a rapid pace. A post-industrial society began to take shape. A new constitution was adopted in the city, the king was deprived of all political power, he remained only the head of the foreign policy committee, and the bicameral parliament was replaced by a unicameral Riksdag. By the early 1990s, the unemployment rate in Sweden had reached the European average and ranged from 10 to 14%. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Sweden's policy of complete neutrality was revised and the government expressed its desire to join the European Union. Sweden became a member of the EU in 1995. 2006 elections In the 2006 elections, the conservative coalition, which included the Moderate Coalition Party, the Center Party, the People's Party and the Christian Democratic Party, won and received 48.1% of the vote. 46.2% of voters supported the Social Democratic Party in alliance with the Green Party and the Left Party. Political structureSwedish Parliament building - Riksdag Administrative division
Lenas of Sweden Sweden is divided into 21 districts - linen(län), at the head of each of them is the board of the fief (länsstyrelse), which is appointed by the government. In each region there are also local government bodies - county councils(landsting), which are elected by the local population. Each flax, in turn, is divided into communes(kommun), the total number of which is 290 (). Bodies of local self-government of communities are community authorities (Kommunfullmäktige), executive and administrative bodies are community councils (kommundelsnämnd). Until 1954, the local government body of the community was the community assembly (Kommunalstämma), consisting of all residents of the community. Bodies of local self-government of cities are city authorities (Stadsfullmäktige), executive and administrative bodies are city councils (Stadsdelsnämnd). Until 1954, the local government body of the city was the general town hall (Allmän rådstuga), consisting of all residents of the city. There is also a historical division of Sweden into provinces and regions. EconomyWith a population of only 9 million people, Sweden has 50 global companies, including ABB, Oriflame, Saab AB, Saab Automobile AB, Scania, Volvo, Volvo Trucks, Ericsson, TELE2, Electrolux, IKEA, TetraPak, Alfa Laval, SKF. It is in first place in the production of bearings. The country has a high level of innovation, highly developed and constantly modernized infrastructure, excellent state of technology, well-educated staff who speak English. However, salaries differ [ specify] from the current situation in the world [ specify] market level. Almost 60% of GDP comes from taxes, the highest in the OECD. The country's peripheral location on the continent increases transport costs for manufacturers and exporters. Armed forcesPopulationDemographyThe average life expectancy for men is 78.6 years, for women - 83.3 years. 90% of Sweden's population lives in communes of no more than 2,000 inhabitants. Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo are the most densely populated areas of the country. Ethnic compositionSweden, being a country of emigration back in the 20th century, has now become a country primarily of immigration. Modern Swedish society can rightfully be called multicultural, that is, socially heterogeneous, including representatives of various ethnic groups and cultures. Historically, Sweden has always been an ethnically homogeneous country, the majority of the population were Swedes and an ethnic minority - the Sami, who roamed the territory of Northern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, and now live in the north of the country. About 9.3 million people live in Sweden itself. The time from the mid-19th century until the 1930s was a period of mass emigration, when people left the country in search of a better life due to poverty, religious persecution, lack of faith in a happy future, political restrictions, a sense of adventure and the excitement of "gold rush" During World War I and after its end, emigration slowed due to restrictions on immigration to the United States. Under the influence of immigration flows, society itself changed, as well as the economic situation in the country, and it is worth recognizing that the impact of immigrants on the economy can be assessed as ambiguous, since it has both positive and negative consequences. Regarding social stability, there are also many problems in this area related to ethnic and cultural diversity and the integration of immigrants into Swedish society. It is important to take into account that the government is taking steps to improve the situation in the country, improving legislation, creating specialized structures dealing with this issue, and developing strategies for tolerance between ethnic and cultural groups within the state. The goal of the Swedish government is to achieve harmony, real political, cultural, social equality and equality among different groups of the population. This is why the policy of multiculturalism is being implemented, but its implementation is accompanied by a number of social problems, which leads to a revision of the state’s immigration policy, its goals and directions. In this regard, immigration legislation is changing, new bills are being adopted and amendments are being made to existing laws. The procedure for accepting immigrants into the country, obtaining refugee status, issuing residence permits, employment, etc. is changing. Most immigrants live in the agglomerations of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. LanguagesReligionThe majority (79%) of believers (or 70% of the population) belong to the Church of Sweden - a Lutheran church separated from the state in 2000. Education in SwedenMain article: Education in Sweden The modern Swedish education system provides a unified compulsory education, which children begin at age 7. More than 95% continue their education in gymnasiums, where they can choose theoretical or professional-practical lines of study. There are more than 30 higher education institutions in Sweden educational institutions, of which about 1/3 are universities. The oldest university in Sweden is Uppsala University, founded in 1477. Sweden is one of the countries in the world that has a large proportion of international students. According to the OECD, in 2010, graduate students from 80 countries were studying in Sweden, and 7.5% of students were foreign, a figure that has risen sharply over the years. Education in Sweden is free, and with a few exceptions this also applies to foreign students. 4.9% of GDP is allocated to education in Sweden - one of the highest rates among OECD countries. However, since 2011, tuition fees have been introduced for international students, although there will be no tuition fees for those admitted in 2010. The scienceMain article: Science in Sweden
CultureMain article: Swedish culture TraditionsEasterOne of the most popular holidays, in particular because spring turns into summer on these days, and daffodils, white anemones and the first birch leaves give hope for warmer days. Walpurgis Night The celebration of Walpurgis Night marks the final arrival of spring (although the weather often tries to deny this), and this, of course, needs to be celebrated. All over Sweden on the evening of April 30, people gather in their thousands, light large bonfires and enjoy spring songs performed by choirs (usually male ones). Sweden is one of the most singing countries, and such an opportunity to perform is hard to miss. The origins of these fires are a bit mysterious. Perhaps in this way they scared away wild animals from the herds, which at that time were taken out to pasture; Perhaps they were doing this to scare away witches, or maybe they were just warming themselves up. Summer Solstice Festival Saint Lucia's DayCelebrated on December 13th. Traditionally, children prepare breakfast for their parents (homemade cookies and hot chocolate) and, dressed in finery (girls in white dresses, and boys in a stargazer costume), congratulate the older generation. Special songs are performed during “Lucia”. It is also customary that on this day schoolchildren visit their teachers in the morning. MusicClassical, academic musicSwedish academic music reached an even greater flourishing in the era of Romanticism, when composers in their compositions paid attention to borrowing Swedish folk motifs, personified the sea, the North, Swedish traditions and holidays in music to give the music a specifically Swedish character. Many Swedish Romantic composers bear similarities to German and French composers of the era. This is also the flowering of sacred, church and organ music. In Russia, Swedish academic music is known mainly as symphonic music, but in general it is little known and extremely rarely performed, which is mainly due to the shortage of sheet music by Swedish composers, whose works are rarely published in Russia and are mainly included in the sheet music collections of Scandinavian composers. There is the possibility of ordering sheet music online, but due, again, to the little known nature of this wide heritage of Swedish instrumental music, this possibility remains unaddressed. Among the world's famous Swedish composers are:
A number of Swedish music projects, with less emphasis on popular music, have become quite famous in last years. Such groups include Tim Sköld, The Ark, The Hives, Mando Diao, Sugarplum Fairy, The Sounds, Refused, Millencolin, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, iamamiwhoami, The Knife, Fever Ray, Sahara Hotnights, The Hellacopters, Timoteij, Anna Bergendahl, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Kent, Infinite Mass, Movits! , Timbuktu , Little Dragon , Bondage Fairies , Looptroop and Airbase (Jezper Söderlund), Alcazar . MetalSweden is widely known as the birthplace of many “heavy” and “dark” styles of metal music - melodic death metal (Arch Enemy, At the Gates, Dark Tranquility) and modern death metal (In Flames), doom metal (Candlemass, Draconian , Tiamat, Katatonia), progressive metal (Opeth, Pain of Salvation, Evergrey), symphonic metal (Therion), black metal (Marduk, Dark Funeral, Watain, Shining), depressive black metal (Silencer, Lifelover), pagan metal and viking metal (Bathory, Amon Amarth). Progressive, folk, houseIt is also worth noting such musicians as Avicii (Tim Berg), Alesso, StoneBridge, AN21, Sebjak and many others. Post-rockOne of the most modern trends in Swedish (and progressive world) music is instrumental post-rock. The most famous groups: Ef, Jeniferever, Immanu el, Pg.lost. Other stylesThere is also a Swedish music label “Cold Meat Industry”, which releases music in such styles as: Dark Ambient, Industrial, Folk, etc. Official Website of the Label: http://www.Coldmeat.se CinemaartAs in other Scandinavian countries, until the middle of the 19th century art Sweden was far behind central Europe. In Russia, Alexander Roslin, who worked for some time in St. Petersburg, became very famous. Then, mainly under the influence of French painting, Swedish painting developed and reached its peak by the beginning of the 20th century. The most recognizable Swedish artist and illustrator is Carl Larson, who has developed a unique style. Impressionism is represented by the paintings of Anders Zorn, famous for his nude paintings, Bruno Liljefors and the landscapes of Prince Eugene. As in Scandinavia in general, symbolism is very well developed, the most prominent representative of which was Eugen Janson, who at the beginning of his creative activity painted characteristic dawn and sunset landscapes in blue tones. Ivar Arosenius depicted dimly lit interiors with human figures. LiteratureWorld-famous Swedish authors include Carl Linnaeus, Emanuel Swedenborg, August Strindberg, Selma Lagerlöf, Vilhelm Muberg, Harry Martinson, Tumas Tranströmer and Astrid Lindgren. A. Strindberg (1849-1912) - a writer whose essentially realistic work absorbed the artistic achievements of modernism (historical dramas “Gustav Vasa”, “Eric XIV”, the novel “The Red Room”, collections of short stories, psychological novels “On the Spurs”, “Black Banners”, etc.). S. Lagerlöf (1858-1940) - writer, known primarily for her book for children “The Wonderful Journey of Nils Holgersson through Sweden.” A. Lindgren (1907-2002) - author of stories about Malysh and Carlson and many other books for children imbued with humanism. The social detective novels of the contemporary Swedish writer Stieg Larsson (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Girl Who Played with Fire,” “The Girl Who Blew Up Castles in the Air”) became widely known. ArchitectureDiplomats of the USSR and Russia in SwedenSweden has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on March 16, 1924). On December 19, 1991, the Kingdom of Sweden recognized the Russian Federation as a sovereign state, and diplomatic relations were established. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USSR and Russia to Sweden: 1926-1927 - Kollontai, Alexandra Mikhailovna 1971-1982 - Yakovlev, Mikhail Danilovich 1992-1997 - Grinevsky, Oleg Alekseevich 1997-2001 - Nikiforov, Alexey Leonidovich 2001-2005 - Sadchikov, Nikolai Ivanovich 2005-2009 - Kadakin, Alexander Mikhailovich 2 009 - present time - Neverov, Igor Svyatoslavovich In astronomy
see alsoNotesLinks |
Most of the Scandinavian Peninsula, or rather its entire south and east, is occupied by a country covered with beautiful forests with more than thousand years of history- Sweden. Its territory is officially divided into 21 administrative districts, and the largest cities after the capital Stockholm are Gothenburg, Malmö and Uppsala. In addition to Swedish, most of the population speaks English, and in the very north of the country, minority languages are relatively widespread: Sami, Finnish and Meänkieli (a dialect of Finnish). Native Swedes dominate the population structure (about 90%), however, in the last decade, the increased flow of economic and political immigrants from Iraq, Iran, Serbia, Somalia, Chile and other countries with low living standards has led to certain changes in the ethnic balance, such as the creation of national diaspora and Muslim communities.
Capital |
Stockholm |
|
Population |
|
|
Population density |
22 people/km 2 |
|
Swedish |
|
|
Religion |
There is no state religion, Christianity is widespread |
|
Form of government |
a constitutional monarchy |
|
Swedish krona |
|
|
Timezone |
UTC+1 UTC+2 (summer) |
|
International dialing code |
|
|
Internet domain zone |
|
|
Electricity |
Despite this, the government's policy of multiculturalism and targeted tolerance education has so far succeeded in ensuring relatively peaceful coexistence between Swedish citizens and foreign refugees. The Kingdom of Sweden is the world's largest producer of ball bearings and one of the European leaders in iron ore mining; It is also noteworthy that 9/10 of the country's electricity needs are generated by 3 nuclear and a number of hydroelectric power plants, which can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Another interesting fact is that Sweden (along with Norway) was Christianized only in the 13th century - the last of all European countries.
Climate and weather
The climatic conditions of different parts of Sweden differ from each other due to the considerable extent of the country: in the southern regions with a temperate climate, the air temperature in summer is usually +18...+22 ° C, and in sunny and dry winter - about 0 ° C during daylight hours; in the northern regions, a subarctic climate prevails (there is nothing surprising if you remember that the north of Sweden is already beyond the Arctic Circle), and the average temperature in summer is around +10...+15 °C, in winter - -15...-20 °C.
Precipitation is most significant in autumn and winter, so tourist trip It’s better to plan for the end of spring or the beginning of summer, but experienced skiers will prefer the period from mid-autumn to mid-spring, during which at least a meter of snow falls in the Scandinavian mountains.
It is important to remember that summer, despite being longer in the south and southwest of the country, is usually somewhat rainier than in the cold Swedish north.
Nature
More than half of Sweden is covered in forests; By this indicator, it is ahead of any European country. Also, about 10% of the country is occupied by the blue expanse of cool, clean lakes, around which lie spacious meadows.
But when going on a trip through resinous coniferous forests or fishing in the rivers of Sweden rich in salmon and trout, it is advisable to carefully study the local environmental legislation: it is prohibited to make fires and break branches, wash vehicles with water from natural reservoirs, cross the borders of nature reserves without special permission and even just picking flowers. Fishing is prohibited in most bodies of water, and a tin or tin thrown out in the wrong place plastic bottle may result in a significant fine. Thanks to such strict prohibitive measures, the Swedish government managed to preserve for true connoisseurs of beauty a real protected area, where you can admire many natural wonders: from centuries-old oak trees in the south of the country to predatory lynxes living in the north, but not dangerous to humans.
Attractions
One of the most beautiful European capitals is the Swedish city of Stockholm, located almost entirely on 14 islands. There are about 75 museums available for visiting here to suit every taste, including the unique Museum of Dance, which has no analogues in the whole world. For art connoisseurs, Stockholm provides an amazing opportunity to walk through the halls of as many as 100 (!) art galleries, which, among other things, contain originals of stunning paintings by such masters as Carl Larsson and Ferdinand Fagerlin.
However, other cities in the country are sometimes not inferior to the capital Stockholm in architectural and culturally; for example, the port of Gothenburg, located on the west coast of Sweden, is the residence of the Swedish bishop, and in the main square of the city there is one of the best concert halls world and the unusual fountain “Poseidon”.
You can also visit many attractions in Malmö (town hall and Renaissance castle), Uppsala (the oldest university in Scandinavia and the house-museum of the great scientist Carl Linnaeus), as well as on the large island of Gotland, famous for Bronze Age burials, and the slightly smaller island of Öland , home to ancient windmills, Iron Age forts and medieval castle ruins.
Nutrition
Traditional Swedish cuisine was based on dishes that could last for a long time. This was due to long winters and low population density. All kinds of smoked foods, pickles, preserves and jams, various types of homemade cookies and bread, as well as other simple natural products: cheese, eggs, sausages, minced meat, game and fresh berries were popular. Today, Swedish cuisine is also rich in first courses (the beer soups alone are worth it!), salads, various appetizers, pastries and delicate desserts. The food etiquette of the so-called buffet is interesting: it implies self-service, and the food is not divided into portions in advance - everyone cuts or puts in as much as they see fit, and therefore it is not customary in Sweden to leave food on the plate.
Accommodation
There are many housing options for those wishing to stay in Sweden: you can rent a double house (bungalow) with heating and a kitchen for $25-70 per day or a room on a country farm for only $150 per week. A day's rent for a room in the city center will cost $30-40, a hotel room - $90. In Sweden there are also numerous chalets (villages for visitors), campsites and youth tourist centers, many of which provide decent living conditions at very reasonable prices (up to $30 per day).
Entertainment and relaxation
You can take part in cheerful round dances to traditional acoustic music during the summer solstice at the end of June, hear folk choral songs and admire huge bonfires on April 30, when the Swedes celebrate the arrival of spring, and the opportunity to try juicy ham in mustard sauce and many other culinary delights is presented Christmas evening, December 24th.
Sweden has magnificent ski resorts Salen and Ore, operating from October to May; In Salen, more than 140 km of trails have been laid for skiing enthusiasts, almost 100 ski lifts have been built, and dog sledding and powerful high-speed snowmobile rides are also organized. And Åre has almost 90 km of slopes of varying difficulty.
IN major cities country, especially in the capital Stockholm, nightlife is in full swing 7 days a week from the beginning to the end of the calendar year, so adherents of the club lifestyle are sure to stay here for a long time, enthusiastically discovering new boundaries of Swedish fun, drive and luxury.
Purchases
Most shops in Sweden have not very long working hours: 8-9 hours on weekdays (usually from 10:00 to 18:00) and 4-5 hours on Saturday (often from 9 am to 2 pm), on Sundays only the most open large stores.
The most popular souvenirs among tourists are trolls, Vikings, moose, as well as Swedish crystal and all kinds of runic amulets.
By the way, in Sweden there is a state monopoly on alcohol (except for light beer) - it is sold exclusively in specialized stores at very high prices, and only on weekdays.
Transport
The Swedish transport network is remarkably developed: intercity communication is carried out by high-speed trains and buses, buses run in cities, and in Stockholm there are also metro and electric trains. There is also a taxi system, but without prior reservation you will rarely see one on city streets. Roads in Sweden are really high quality, but only an adult driver (according to Swedish law, over 21 years old) with at least 1 year of experience can rent a car with a credit card and, of course, an international driver’s license. In addition, in large cities there are problems with parking spaces. And in smaller settlements, the time allowed for parking in the center is often limited. A good alternative to renting a car in Sweden can be to rent a bicycle - special paths are equipped next to many highways, which makes it a popular and convenient means of transportation around cities and even the whole country.
Connection
Sweden has very modern telephony: there are 3 cellular operators using NMT900, MT450 and GSM standards, as well as an extremely extensive communication network of regular landlines, including street phones. By the way, in addition to standard communication cards, which are sold everywhere, you can often pay for the use of a payphone directly with a credit card, which is especially convenient if you need to call abroad (and most payphones in Sweden provide this option).
Safety
In Sweden, it is important to strictly follow numerous traffic rules: always turn on low beam headlights, wear seat belts for all vehicle passengers, and so on. On the roads, the police practice periodic sobriety checks of drivers. When moving around Sweden by car, you should be aware of the numerous wild animals, some of which can unexpectedly appear on the road at the most inopportune moment.
Drinking alcohol in in public places here it is strictly prohibited and is punishable by significant penalties; The situation is the same with smoking.
It should also be noted that the social problems created by the massive influx of immigrants who do not want to assimilate: for example, some Swedish cities (for example, Malmö) today are secretly divided into a directly Swedish and immigrant part - in fact, a ghetto, where it is undesirable to be in the dark.
Business climate
Sweden has an extremely simple system for registering firms and companies, with fairly low corporate taxes and capital taxes. In addition, the concept of VAT is completely absent here, which is why there is practically no shadow business in the country that is unprofitable in such conditions. The Swedish government adheres to a policy of non-interference in the activities of entrepreneurs, which makes it easy to obtain loans and the high attractiveness of projects for investors. All this creates quite favorable conditions for doing business in this stable northern country. Especially in the medium-sized business sector.
Real estate
In Sweden, real estate is not inherited (after the death of the owner, it returns to the public housing stock); any redevelopment must be formalized in the most detailed manner, in accordance with all legal rules. And the cost of a residential or commercial property has almost nothing to do with its location due to the well-developed transport network. So a building on the very outskirts of the city can be much more expensive than one located in the very center - due to the newness of the building, recent renovation or a successful design solution.
