Sweden

Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a major Nordic country.

It is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. To the west and north, it shares a border with Norway. To the east, it borders Finland. To the south, it shares a maritime border with Denmark. Sweden is the largest Nordic country by land area and population. It is also the fifth-largest country in Europe. The capital and largest city is Stockholm.

The country is divided into 21 counties and 290 municipalities.

The geography of Sweden creates a very diverse climate. This variety exists because the country is quite long. It stretches from 55°N to 69°N latitude.

Most of the population lives in urban areas. These areas make up only 1.5% of the total land. About 88% of the 10.6 million people live in cities. Most of these residents live in the central and southern regions. This results in a low population density across much of the country.

Human history in Sweden began during prehistoric times. People have inhabited the land since around 12,000 BC.

During the Allerød oscillation, a warm period, hunter-gatherers lived in Scania. They used flint technology to survive. Later, groups like the Geats and the Swedes emerged. These people were part of the sea-faring Norsemen. The name "Sweden" likely comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "one's own." This referred to a person's own tribe. The native name, "Sverige," means "realm of the Swedes."

The Viking Age was a significant era from the eighth to the 11th century.

Swedish Vikings, sometimes called Rus, traveled far to the east and south. They reached Finland, Estonia, Russia, and even Baghdad. Some served as the Varangian Guard for the Byzantine emperor. A major trading center called Birka developed on the island of Björkö.

Birka was a vital link in trade routes connecting to the Byzantine Empire. Although Birka was wealthy, it was abandoned around 975 AD.

Sweden's political history involves many changes in power. A unified state was established in the late 10th century. In 1397, Sweden joined Norway and Denmark in the Kalmar Union. Sweden left this union in 1523. Later, Sweden became a great European power. This period is known as the Swedish Empire.

During this time, Sweden controlled much of the Baltic Sea. However, the empire began to shrink in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1809, Sweden lost Finland to Imperial Russia. The last direct war Sweden fought was in 1814 against Norway.

Today, Sweden is a highly developed constitutional monarchy. It operates as a parliamentary democracy. The legislative power belongs to the 349-member unicameral Riksdag.

The nation maintains a Nordic social welfare system. This system provides universal health care and tertiary education. Sweden ranks fifth in the Human Development Index. It also has the 14th highest GDP per capita in the world. The country is a member of many groups, including the European Union and NATO.

Sweden is known for its high quality of life. It ranks very high in many different areas. These include health, education, and economic competitiveness. It also excels in income equality and gender equality. The country is a member of the United Nations and the Schengen Area.

It is also part of the OECD and the Council of Europe. These connections show how Sweden is integrated into global systems. The nation remains a prosperous and stable part of the modern world.