Sweden

 Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway

Lowest point: Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m

Highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

Capital: Stockholm

Largest City: Stockholm

Religion: Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist

Languages Spoken: Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities 

See also: Languages spoken in Europe, Languages of the world

Information & Brief History
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.