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Sweden

[] Find Embassy! Web www.allembassies.com www.allembassies.com Sweden Mon - Oct, 17 2011 Select the Country: U.S.A. Canada United Kingdom (U.K.) Argentina Australia Belgium China (P.R.C.) Denmark Finland France Germany Greece India Ireland Israel Italy New Zealand Norway Pakistan Russia South Africa Sweden Tunisia Turkey Ukraine Diplomatic Associations Financial Section: Currency converter Currency sign Currency codes 1 Currency codes 2 Sweden, Konungariket Sverige WORLD - Foreign Embassies in Sweden WORLD - Swedish Embassies Worldwide The Swedish National Anthem (Listen) The Swedish Royal Anthem (Listen) The Swedish Anthems (Read about) Introduction Sweden Background: 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 was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999. Geography Sweden Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 15 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 449,964 sq km land: 410,934 sq km water: 39,030 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km Coastline: 3,218 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas) exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m Natural resources: iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 93.45% (2001) Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic Environment - current issues: acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas People Sweden Population: 9,001,774 (July 2005 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.1% (male 791,215/female 747,621) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 2,990,436/female 2,904,873) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 677,161/female 890,468) (2005 est.) Median age: total: 40.6 years male: 39.49 years female: 41.75 years (2005 est.) Population growth rate: 0.17% (2005 est.) Birth rate: 10.36 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) Death rate: 10.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) Net migration rate: 1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.4 years male: 78.19 years female: 82.74 years (2005 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,600 (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish Ethnic groups: indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Religions: Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist Languages: Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1979 est.) male: NA% female: NA% Government Sweden Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Stockholm Administrative divisions: 21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands Independence: 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king) National holiday: Flag Day, 6 June Constitution: 1 January 1975 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131 out of 349 votes Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held September 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 39.8%, Moderates 15.2%, Liberal Party 13.3%, Christian Democrats 9.1%, Left Party 8.3%, Center Party 6.1%, Greens 4.6%; seats by party - Social Democrats 144, Moderates 55, Liberal Party 48, Christian Democrats 33, Left Party 30, Center Party 22, Greens 17 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Goran HAGGLUND]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jan ELIASSON chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador M. Teel BIVINS embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch) telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64 Flag description: blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Anthem Sweden The Swedish National Anthem "S�ng till Norden" (Song of the North) also known as "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Beautiful, Thou Mountainous North), Sweden's anthem was adopted in 1844. The author of the lyrics chose a Swedish folk tune from the province of V�stmanland to set his words to to create the anthem. (He only wrote the first two verses, the other verses were added some decades later by another author.) The anthem started to be sung more frequently, which led to its popularity, which in turn led to the adoption of the anthem without any legislation. (It has never been officially legislated as Sweden's national anthem, one attempt in the 1930s by a member of parliament brought forth claims of wanting state controlled patriotism by the opposition.) Words by: Richard Dybeck Music by: traditional In use: 1844 - "S�ng till Norden" (Song of the North) or "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Beautiful, Thou Mountainous North) The Swedish National Anthem "S�ng till Norden" (Song of the North) (Listen) Du gamla, Du fria, Du fj�llh�ga nord Du tysta, Du gl�djerika sk�na! Jag h�lsar Dig, v�naste land upp� jord, /:Din sol, Din himmel, Dina �ngder gr�na.:/ Du tronar p� minnen fr�n fornstora dar, d� �rat Ditt namn fl�g �ver jorden. Jag vet att Du �r och f�rblir vad du var. /: Ja, jag vill leva jag vill d� i Norden.:/ Jag st�ds vill dig tj�na mitt �lskade land, din trohet till d�den vill jag sv�ra. Din r�tt, skall jag v�rna, med h�g och med hand, /:din fana, h�gt den bragderika b�ra.:/ Med Gud skall jag k�mpa, f�r hem och f�r h�rd, f�r Sverige, den k�ra fosterjorden. Jag byter Dig ej, mot allt i en v�rld /: Nej, jag vill leva jag vill d� i Norden.:/ (Translation) Thou ancient, thou free, thou mountainous North In beauty and peace our hearts beguiling I greet thee, thou loveliest land on the earth /:Thy sun, thy skies, thy meadows green:/ Thy throne rests on memories from great days of yore When all round the world thine name honoured was I know that you are and you will be as you were /:Oh, I would live and I would die in the North:/ Forever I shall serve thy my beloved country, until death I owe thy my fidelity. Your right I will protect with mind and with hand, /:thy banner, feats of bravery carry:/ With God I shall fight, for home and for bliss, for Sweden, the dear fatherland. For nothing, in the world, I would trade thee. /: No, I would live and I would die in the North :/ Sweden also has a royal anthem - "Kungss�ngen" (Royal Song). The official anthem of the Swedish royal family was adopted in 1893. Words by: Carl Wilhelm August Strandberg Music by: Otto Lindblad In use: 1893 - The Swedish Royal Anthem "Kungss�ngen" (Royal Song) (Listen) 1. Ur svenska hj�rtans djup en g�ng en samf�lld och en enkel s�ng, som g�r till konungen fram! Var honom trofast och hans �tt, g�r kronan p� hans hj�ssa l�tt, och all din tro till honom s�tt, du folk av frejdad stam! 2. O konung, folkets majest�t �r �ven ditt: besk�rma det och v�rna det fr�n fall! St� oss all v�rldens h�rar mot, vi blinka ej f�r deras hot: vi l�gga dem inf�r din fot - en kunglig fotapall. 3. Men stundar ock v�rt fall en dag, fr�n dina skuldror purpurn tag, lyft av dig kronans tv�ng och drag de k�ra f�rger p�, det gamla gula och det bl�, och med ett sv�rd i handen g� till kamp och underg�ng! 4. Och grip v�r sista fana du och dristeliga f�r �nnu i d�den dina m�n! Ditt trogna folk med hj�ltemod skall s�mma av sitt b�sta blod en kunglig purpur varm och god, och svepa dig i den. 5. Du himlens Herre, med oss var, som f�rr du med oss varit har, och liva p� v�r strand det gamla lynnets art igen hos sveakungen och hans m�n. Och l�t din ande vila �n ut�ver nordanland! Economy Sweden Economy - overview: 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 labor 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, declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank (the Riksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up in 2004. Presumably because of generous sicktime benefits, Swedish workers report in sick more often than other Europeans. On 14 September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty. GDP: purchasing power parity - $255.4 billion (2004 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.6% (2004 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $28,400 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 29% services: 69% (2001) Currency: Swedish krona (SEK) Currency code: SEK Exchange rates: Swedish kronor per US dollar - 7.3489 (2004), 8.0863 (2003), 9.7371 (2002), 10.3291 (2001), 9.1622 (2000) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Sweden Telephones - main lines in use: 6,579,200 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular: 7.949 million (2002) Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels international: country code - 46; 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 8.25 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995) Televisions: 4.6 million (1997) Internet country code: .se Internet hosts: 945,221 (2004) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 29 (2000) Internet users: 5.125 million (2002) Transportation Sweden Railways: total: 11,481 km standard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2003) Highways: total: 213,237 km paved: 167,604 km (including 1,542 km of expressways) unpaved: 45,633 km (2002) Pipelines: gas 798 km (2004) Ports and harbors: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall Merchant marine: total: 205 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,702,763 GRT/1,884,570 DWT by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 33, chemical tanker 51, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 37, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 22 foreign-owned: 42 (Belgium 2, Denmark 4, Finland 11, Germany 6, Italy 7, Japan 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 9) registered in other countries: 155 (2005) Airports: 254 (2004 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 154 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2004 est.) Heliports: 2 (2004 est.) Transnational Issues Sweden Disputes - international: none The Kingdom of Sweden See also: Foreign Embassies in Sweden See also: Swedish Embassies Find Embassy! Web www.allembassies.com [ Top ] AllEmbassies.Com: Bookmark site now Make this my Homepage Tell a Friend about Us Site Map Search See Also: Articles Anthems World News Add the Embassy Contact Us Embassy Portal www.allembassies.com Copyright � 2005-2011 - AllEmbassies.Com