sweden

Sweden is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It occupies the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and contains thousands of coastal islands and lakes. It borders Norway to the west and Finland to the east; it has a long coastline on the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. The capital and largest city is Stockholm; other major urban centers include Gothenburg and Malmö. With about 10.5 million residents, Sweden is known for its high standard of living and extensive welfare system. The official language is Swedish; English is widely used.

Sweden operates as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The monarch's role is largely ceremonial. The Riksdag, a unicameral legislature, elects the Prime Minister, who heads the government. Public policy emphasizes social welfare, education, and healthcare funded by taxes.

Sweden has a highly developed, diversified economy. Strengths include services, manufacturing, and technology. Major global companies include Volvo, Ericsson, Ikea, H&M, and Spotify. The country is known for innovation, renewable energy, and a strong welfare state. It is a member of the European Union and pursues a policy of non-alignment in peacetime while cooperating with NATO and participating in international missions.

Historically inhabited by Norse, Sweden emerged as a unified state in the early modern period and developed a long tradition of neutrality in major conflicts, including both World Wars. The Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, with the Peace Prize awarded in Oslo. The country features a range of landscapes from arctic areas in the north to temperate regions in the south, and is noted for design, culture, and environmental policy.