Post on 28-Nov-2014
description
Exploring Sweden
Swedish Flag
Interesting Facts
• Capital: Stockholm
• Population: Estimated 9,003,000
• Official Name: Konungariket Sverige (Kingdom of Sweden)
• Official Language: Swedish
• National Anthem: “Du Gamla, du fria, du fjallhoga nord” (Thou Ancient, Thou Free, Thou Mountain-Crowned North.”
• National Holiday: Flag Day, June 6
Government &International Relations
• Sweden is a constitutional monarchy.
• The head of their government is the prime minister.
Government and International Relations cont.
• The highest in command is the King.
• The largest political party is the Social Democracy party.
Resources
• Sweden's chief crops are grains, sugar beets, potatoes, meat, and milk, barley, oats, and wheat.
Resources cont.
• Sweden’s natural resources are timber, iron ore, and hydroelectric power.
Economy
• Sweden constructed an economy based on free enterprise, public ownership of utilities, exports, social welfare, and high taxes.
Economy cont.
• Sweden’s major trading partners are the European Union, the United States, and Norway
Religion and Spiritual Beliefs
• Sweden’s religion consists of 87% Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, and other.
• Christianity was introduced in 829 but became fully established in the 12th century.
Religion cont.
• The Wasa Dynasty slowly introduced Lutheran Christianity and in 1604 banned Catholicism.
• Lutheranism was Sweden’s official religion from about 1540 to 2000.
Learning and Technology
• The Swedish government requires children from 7 to 16 years of age to attend school.
• Elementary and high school education are free for Swedish children.
Family Life, Community, and Society
Arts and Crafts
• Sweden made it’s greatest contribution to the arts in the field of industrial design with harmonious textiles, furniture, glassware, and ceramics.
The Armed Forces
• Swedish men between the ages of 18 and 47 are required to serve from 7 to 15 months in the country’s armed forces.
• The nation’s regular army, navy, and air forces have a total of about 55,000 members.