| Kingdom of Sweden Konungariket Sverige
Origin of Name The
country of Sweden was named for its inhabitants, who were
called by the Romans "Suiones," probably from
Proto-Germanic sweba, meaning "free,
independent," or else from geswion, meaning
"kinsman." Sverige, the country's name
in its native language, also derived from the Roman name.
Location northern
Europe
Bordered By Norway, Finland
Area 173,732 sq mi
(449,964 sq km)
Greatest Distance N-S 977 mi (1,572 km)
Greatest Distance E-W 310 mi (499 km)
Coastline 4,700 mi (7,564 km)
Highest Point Mount Kebnekaise; 6,926 ft (2,111 m)
Lowest Point sea level
Natural Resources iron ore,
copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium,
arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
Nationality Swedish
Population (July 2015 est) 9,801,616
Largest Cities Stockholm, Göteburg
Ethnic Groups Swede
Religions Lutheran
Languages Swedish (official)
Capital Stockholm
Form of Government constitutional
monarchy
Present Constitution Adopted January 1, 1975
Chief of State King Carl XVI Gustaf
(since September 19, 1973)
Head of Government Prime Minister Stefan
Lofven (since October 3, 2014)
Cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister
Legislature unicameral Parliament (Riksdag)
Judiciary Supreme Court of Sweden,
Supreme Administrative Court
Local Administration 21 counties (lan)
Currency Kronor (SEK)
Per Capita Income $46,000
Industries iron and steel,
precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts,
armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed
foods, motor vehicles
Agricultural Products barley, wheat,
sugar beets; meat, milk
Export Commodities machinery,
motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and
steel products, chemicals
Import Commodities machinery,
petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor
vehicles, iron and steel, foodstuffs, clothing
Independence Achieved
June 6, 1523 (Gustav Vasa elected king))
National Holiday National Day, June 6 (on
June 6, 1523, Gustav Vasa was elected king, and on the
same date in 1809 the country adopted a new constitution)
Flag 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); the colors reflect
those of the Swedish coat of arms -- three gold crowns on
a blue field
SEE ALSO
Norway
Finland
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