SWEDEN

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SWEDEN

• A Welfare State

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• Sweden is a country in northern Europe. It is one
  of Europe's largest countries in area. However,
  it is also one of Europe's most thinly populated
  countries. Forests cover more than half of
  Sweden's land. Only about a tenth of the country
  is farmland.

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• The northernmost part of Sweden lies inside the
  Arctic Circle in a region of continuous cold
  called the Land of the Midnight Sun. The region
  has that name because for periods during the
  summer, the sun shines 24 hours a day.

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• Sweden is also a land of beautiful lakes,
  snow-capped mountains, swift rivers, and rocky
  offshore islands. Part of its long coastline has
  sandy beaches, and other parts have rocky cliffs.
  Stockholm is Sweden's capital and largest city.
  It lies on the east coast of Sweden, on the
  Baltic Sea, and it includes small offshore
  islands.

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• The Swedish standard of living is one of the
  highest in the world. Sweden ranks among the
  leading European nations in the number of
  automobiles, telephones, and television sets it
  has in relation to its population. Many Swedish
  families have country homes where they enjoy
  spending weekends and vacations.

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• Sweden's way of life has often been called the
  "middle way," because it combines private
  enterprise with some government ownership of
  industry. Also, the Swedish government offers
  extensive social security benefits. It provides
  free education and largely free medical service.
  It pays pensions to old people, widows, and
  orphans. After most Swedes retire, they receive
  annual pensions that amount to a large percentage
  of their average earnings. The government also
  provides health insurance and financial aid for
  housing.

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• Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a king
  or queen, a prime minister and Cabinet, and a
  parliament.

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• Sweden is famous for smorgasbord, an assortment
  of cold and hot foods placed on a large table for
  self-service. Smorgasbord is served on holidays,
  in fine restaurants, and on board many Swedish
  cruise ships. Swedes often eat the foods in a
  particular order.

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• First they eat cold fish dishes, including
  anchovies, eels, herring, salmon, sardines, and
  shrimp. Next, they eat such cold meats as liver
  pate, smoked reindeer, sliced beef, and ham with
  vegetable salad. Next come small hot dishes, such
  as meatballs, omelets, sausages, anchovies, or
  herring cooked in breadcrumbs. Favorite desserts
  include cheese, fresh fruit, fruit salad, and
  pastry.

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• The Swedish government requires children from 7
  to 16 years of age to attend school. Elementary
  and high school education are free for Swedish
  children. The government also operates all the
  universities and most of the technical and other
  specialized colleges in the country.

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• The Swedes pay high taxes, but the government
  provides extensive welfare benefits. Every family
  receives an allowance for each child under 16.
  The government also provides housing allowances
  for families with children. The allowance is
  based on family income, the number of children,
  and the cost of housing. Every employed person is
  guaranteed a five-week annual vacation with pay.

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• Swedes who lose their jobs receive unemployment
  benefits representing about 80 percent of their
  former earnings. The people have largely free
  medical service. After retirement, most Swedes
  receive annual pensions of about 65 percent of
  their average earnings during their 15 highest
  paid years. The government also provides pensions
  for widows, orphans, and children who have lost
  one parent.

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• Small villages in Sweden