Sweden is a small nation in a big country - just over nine million inhabitants in an area larger than California and nearly as large as France or Spain.
Sweden is also a young civilization in an old country. In past centuries, the country was mainly known for its constant wars. In the 17th century, Sweden was a Great Power in Europe, with a territory that extended almost all the way around the Baltic Sea.
Since 1814, however, Sweden has lived in peace, which has been the most important prerequisite for the build-up of the modern Swedish welfare state.
During the 20th century, Sweden evolved quickly from a poor agrarian country to one of the world's strongest industrial nations. The point of departure for this "Swedish industrial miracle" was the country's natural wealth of forests and ore, as well as a long series of ingenious inventions and an entrepreneurial tradition.
In Sweden the fruits of this economic success have been distributed more evenly among the population than in perhaps any other country. Sweden has become known worldwide for its high general standard of living, with publicly financed systems of economic security for all people in all phases of life.
The transformation Sweden has undergone during the past century has been extremely radical. Sweden in the 21st century is a modern, sophisticated, internationalized society which is very much part of a globalized world. The simple origins of the Swedes are clearly apparent, however, in our proud but low-key disposition, close contact with our cultural heritage, popular customs and traditions and, not least, intensive love of our magnificent, challenging but lavishly rich Nordic nature.
Taken from www.sweden.se
