TOLGAY MERCAN

SWEDEN

• Sweden is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. Sweden borders Norway and Finland, and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Øresund. At 450,295 square kilometres (173,860 sq mi), Sweden is the third-largest country in the European Union by area, with a total population of about 9.7 million. Sweden has a low population density of 21 inhabitants per square kilometre (54/sq mi), with the population mostly concentrated in the southern half of the country. About 85% of the population lives in urban areas. Southern Sweden is predominantly agricultural, while the north is heavily forested.

Capital

• Sweden’s capital is Stockholm.In otherhand Stockholm is the biggest city in the Sweden.

Language

• The official language of Sweden is Swedish,a North Germanic language, related and very similar to Danish and Norwegian, but differing in pronunciation and orthography.

Religion

• Lutheran Christianity is officially the largest religion in Sweden, with 66% of the Swedish citizens being the members of the Church of Sweden. Other Christian Churches include the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Islam is the second largest religion in Sweden, practiced by 5% of the population. The remaining population is either irreligious or belongs to other religious groups.

Education

• Children aged 1–5 years old are guaranteed a place in a public kindergarten (Swedish: förskola or, colloquially, dagis). Between the ages of 6 and 16, children attend compulsory comprehensive school. Sweden’s literacy rate is %99.

Cuisine

• Swedish cuisine, like that of the other Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway and Finland), was traditionally simple. Fish (particularly herring), meat, potatoes and dairy products played prominent roles. Spices were sparse. Famous dishes include Swedish meatballs, traditionally served with gravy, boiled potatoes and lingonberry jam; pancakes, lutfisk, and Smörgåsbord, or lavish buffet.

Health

• Healthcare in Sweden is similar in quality to other developed nations. Sweden ranks in the top five countries with respect to low infant mortality. It also ranks high in life expectancy and in safe drinking water

Climate

• Most of Sweden has a temperate climate, despite its northern latitude, with four distinct seasons and mild temperatures throughout the year. The country can be divided into three types of climate; the southernmost part has an oceanic climate, the central part has ahumid continental climate and the northernmost part has a subarctic climate.

Media

Television

• Four companies and five channels dominate the Swedish television viewing:

• SVT with SVT1 and SVT2• TV4 Gruppen with TV4 (owned

by Bonnier)• Viasat with TV3 (owned by Modern Times

Group)• SBS Broadcasting Group with Kanal

5 (owned by ProSiebenSat.1 Media)

Radio

•  Rix FM (36 stations, MTG)•  Mix Megapol (24 stations, SBS)

Newspaper

• The country's main quality morning papers are Dagens Nyheter (liberal), Göteborgs-Posten (liberal),Svenska Dagbladet (liberal conservative) and Sydsvenska Dagbladet (liberal).

Body Language

• Generally, Swedes are reserved in body language. They do not embrace or touch often in public.

• Maintain eye contact at all times while talking with someone.

Meeting and Greeting

• Shake hands with everyone present -- men, women, and children -- at business and social meetings. Shake hands again when leaving.

• Younger people generally do not shake hands when meeting friends. Older people expect a handshake when being greeted or when leaving.

• If no one is available to introduce you, shake each person's hand and introduce yourself.

Dress

• Swedes wear fashionable, but often casual, European style warm clothing. It is important to be well dressed in public at all times.

• For business, men should wear conservative suits and ties. Women should wear dresses, suits, and pantsuits.

Especially For Women

• In Sweden, women make up 48% of the work force -- the highest percentage of working women in the world.

• Foreign businesswomen are widely accepted and should encounter few problems conducting business in Sweden.

• Businesswomen may pay the check in a restaurant without any embarrassment.

Helpful Hints

• Knowledge about Sweden's economy, high standard of living, sports, architecture, history, etc. is appreciated.

• Remember to thank someone for dinner or gift upon next meeting.

• Men should tip their hats to women and remove their hats while talking to women.

• Do not praise another city or area in Sweden over the one you are presently visiting. Swedes are very proud of their own town or region.

• Do not criticize Swedish lifestyle, sexual habits, suicide rate, prices, etc.

• Do not compliment lightly. Insincere comments are considered rude.