SWEDENOfficially known as The Kingdom of Sweden

LANGUAGE• Official language of Sweden is Swedish

• Swedish alphabet contains 29 letters with 3 vowels (å, ä, and ö) more than the English language

• Other languages spoken in Sweden– Danish– Yiddish– Chinese– Kurdish– Greek

ATTIRE

• Modern clothing is internationally influenced

• Swedish national costumes are worn rarely on special occasions such as Midsummer (centered upon the summer solstice)

• Dress very casually

GOVERNMENT

• Representative democracy

• Each person has the same right and opportunities

• Elections are held every 4 years

• King of Sweden: King Carl XVI Gustaf

CLIMATE

• 3 types of climate– Oceanic climate (southernmost part)– Humid continental climate (central part)– Subarctic climate (northernmost part)

• Stockholm (capital of Sweden) usually receives 18 hours of daylight in late June

• Average rainfall is 500-800 mm each year

POPULATION

• Known as the third largest country in the European Union

• Total population of about 9.5 million

• 85% of people live in urban areas

RELIGION

• In 1951 the Law on Freedom of Religion was established– Guaranteeing a full religious freedom to everyone by

law

• 70% of the Sweden population belong to the Church of Sweden– Professes the Luteran faith

• No official religion

CUSTOMS

• If you visit a Swedish home you should bring flowers or a box of chocolate

• If you are given a gift, open it upon receipt

• If you visit a family, it is a custom to take the children of that family a gift

• Don’t take the last helping from a plate

LAWS

• The Swedish Constitution– Defines how Sweden is governed– Includes four laws

• 1. The Instrument of Government• 2. The Act of Succession• 3. The Freedom of the Press Act• 4. Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression

SWEDISH FOOD

• Swedish cuisine differs depending on the region due to its characteristic geography

• Common foods:– Reindeer meat– Kotbullar (Swedish Meatballs)– Swedish Ham– Mashed potatoes– Fresh vegetables

CURRENCY

• Official currency since 1837 Swedish Krona (SEK)

• 1 US dollar = 6.56 SEK

• 1, 5, and 10 Kronor coins

• 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Kronor banknotes

HOLIDAYS• Christmas: December 25

– Begins with Advent, each Sunday before Christmas a candle is lit– Christmas Day is spent in church

• Pentecost: May 19, 2013– Greek name for the feast of weeks– Celebrates the visit of the holy spirit– Popular day for weddings

• Walpurgis Eve: April 30– when spring is welcomed– “Sing in the Spring”

• Other holidays celebrated in Sweden are: New Years, Good Friday, May Day, and Boxing Day

GENDER ROLES

• Men and women are treated equally– They believe that this leads to a more democratic

society

• Men and women have the same rights at school, in the workplace, and at home

• Parents are allowed 480 days of parental leave when a child is born or adopted

PERSONAL NUMBER (PERSONNUMMER)

• All Swedish citizens have a personal number

• Considered official identification

• Based on date of birth

• The number is unique

EDUCATION SYSTEM• Mandatory from 7-16 years old• Financed by taxes • Kindergarten until master programs are free

Schooling• Kindergarten 1-5 years old• Preschool Class 6 years old• Primary school 7-16 years old• Secondary school 16-19 years old• University 2-5 years of studies• Postgraduate programs

MANUFACTURING

• Major world exporter of forest products• A dense road and rail network is used to transport

timber• Wood products produced:– Paper– Boards– Prefabricated houses– furniture

SOURCES• Allaboutsweden.com• En.wikipedia.org/wiki/sweden• www.sweden.se/eng/home/society/equality/facts/gender

-equality-in-sweden/• www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=SE• En.wikipedia.org/wiki/culture_of_sweden#clothing• www.sweden.se/eng/home/lifestyle/traditions/• www.bry-backmanor.org/holidayfun/sweden.html• www.visitsweden.com/sweden/sweden-facts/worth-know

ing-about-sweden/public-holidays/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/576478/Sw

eden/30534/Manufacturing• http://www.hemslojd.com/swedish_holidays.html