Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway.
Land Area: 449,964 sq km (173,731 sq. miles)
Coastline: 3,218 km ( 2,000 miles)
Highest Point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m (6,924 ft)
Lowest Point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m (7.9 ft)
Notable Landmarks: Take a peek...

Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 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 oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90 percent of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50 percent of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2 percent of GDP and of 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 two percent. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up in 2004 and 2005. Presumably because of generous sick-leave benefits, Swedish workers report in sick more often than other Europeans. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $268 billion (2005 est.)
GDP Per Capita: $29,800 (2005 est.)
Number of Workers: 4.49 million (2005 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5.8% (2005 est.)
Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles.
Currency: Swedish krona What does it look like?

Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: King CarlGustaf (since 19 September 1973)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Goran Perssson (since 21 March 1996)
Capital City: Stockholm
Legal Age to Vote: 18 years of age, universal.
Flag Design: 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).
Official Language: Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities.
Religions: Lutheran, 87%; Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, 13%.

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 with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000 to 2002 by the global economic downturn, but discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to remain strong economically. Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the European Union until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999.