Sweden
Land area: Total: 449,964 sq km
Population: 9 million (July 2009 est.)
Labour force: 4.9 million (2008 est.)
Occupations: Agriculture: 1.1% industry: 28.2% services: 70.7% (2008 est.)
Languages: Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Capital: Stockholm
Head of State: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973)
Head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006)
National holiday: Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983)
Economy: 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 labour force. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade.
Imports: £5,051million (2008) from the UK
Industries: Iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
Inflation: 1.6% (November 2008 est.)
Did you know... Sweden's capital city Stockholm is built on 14 islands. Water covers one third of the city's area, and is so clean that you can catch salmon right in the city centre. There are over 100,000 lakes in Sweden.
Swedes drink a lot of coffee - only Americans drink more per person.