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EUROPE PAGE
SWEDEN: 
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A Brief Description  During the last Ice Age, much of Sweden was covered by a thick layer of ice. By 6,000 BC, when that ice finally retreated (or melted) across the southern areas, it left in its wake a jagged coastline with many islands, and innumerable lakes, rivers and streams.
Subsequently, the exposed lands turned green and fertile, wildlife returned, and it is thought that the first settlers arrived here from Denmark and Norway. Archaeological evidence indicates that groups of early man lived and farmed in southern Sweden throughout the Neolithic Stone Age and Bronze Age.
Over time widely-scattered tribes formed; chiefdoms then developed - communities of people led by an all powerful chief. Small kingdoms followed including the Suiones and Geats, and in the far north, the Sami people (or Laplanders) inhabited vast areas of land.
Sweden's Viking Age began in the late 800's AD, and unlike the Danish and Norwegian Vikings, the Swedes traveled south and east. They raided Finland and other Baltic Sea lands. They trekked across much of western Russia, and these rugged adventurers navigated rivers all the way to Constantinople, better known today as Istanbul, Turkey.
Viking trade brought wealth to this land, as well as Christianity, introduced by St. Ansgar around 829. Regardless, paganism (or folk religions) remained in the forefront well into the 12th century. During the High Middle Ages an assortment of (competing) Nordic kingdoms sought more power and more land, and a few Swedish monarchs began to extend their kingdoms into Finland and beyond.
Regional squabbles were silenced by the 1350's as the Black Plague, the planet's most devastating pandemic, killed millions across Europe and much of Sweden's population, especially in the south.
At the very end of the 14th century, Queen Margaret I of Denmark influenced a union of sorts between Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. That so-called Kalmar Union of mostly self-serving dynasties was marred by Denmark's military aggression, especially against Swedish nobility.
National pride took hold, and on the 6th of June, 1523, Gustav Vasa was crowned King of Sweden, and the country's modern history began.
After a dispute with the Pope in Rome over the expulsion of a Catholic Archbishop, King Gustav I rejected Catholicism and led Sweden into Lutheranism and the Protestant Reformation. Though Gustav Vasa's autocratic reign is reviewed by some as power-hungry and ruthless, he liberated his people and is widely revered today as the "Father of the Nation".
Beginning in the mid-1700's, Sweden was an influencial power in Europe, and the country reached out to establish colonies in Africa and the Americas. Kings with great armies and the resulting wars came and went, and at the dawn of the 19th century, Sweden did not have enough resources to maintain its territories outside Scandinavia, and most of them were lost.
After Denmark-Norway was defeated in the Napoleonic wars, Norway was ceded to the King of Sweden on January 14, 1814, at the Treaty of Kiel. Norway resisted, and the then Swedish king, Charles XIII, invaded Norway. His forces were successful, and Norway remained under the Swedish crown until 1905.
As the population of Sweden increased so did all related economic and social problems. The country remained poor and Swedes by the tens of thousands emigrated to America. For those that remained, food was in short supply and farming and industrial growth remained slow through the early 20th century.
Though neutral during World War I and II, Sweden was instrumental in many behind-the-scenes humanitarian efforts to help the Jews during World War II. At wars end, it joined in the effort to rebuild Europe, and its industrial base and economy benefited.
Out of necessity, or motivated by the desire to improve the lifestyle of all of its citizens, Sweden, like other Scandinavian countries developed a strong consumer society and welfare state, and it remained an unwavering force until economic factors in Sweden were severely weakened in the 1970's.
It strongly supports NATO, and joined the European Union (EU) in 1995, but has continually rejected the implementation of the Euro. It does, however, cooperate with other EU countries in defense issues.
Sweden (like most countries) has its share of racial tensions and class-warfare. However, its crime rate remains extremely low, unemployment levels are falling and heath care and higher-education are provided on equal terms to all of its citizens.
Across our planet Swedes have made an incredible impact; from ABBA to ATMs, from Ingrid to Ingmar and from Alfred Nobel's dynamite to Ingvar Kamprad's Ikea stores, Swedish ingenuity is woven into our daily life.
And as for travel to Sweden, the country’s main attraction is its landscape, as spectacular sites abound, especially in the mountains of the "Midnight Sun" and along it's southwestern coastline. However, Sweden's pristine and quiet country life, and its genuinely nice and friendly people are a very close second.
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Famous Natives SWEDEN FAMOUS NATIVES - here! Fast Facts SWEDEN FAST FACTS - here! Flag and Symbols SWEDEN FLAG AND SYMBOLS - here! Islands and Regions SWEDEN ISLANDS AND REGIONS - here! Landforms SWEDEN LANDFORMS - here! Land Statistics SWEDEN LAND STATISTICS - here! 
Gustav Vasa (Gustav I), King of Sweden
by Jokob Bincks, painted in 1542 Latitude and Longitude SWEDEN LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE - here! Links SWEDEN LINKS - here! Maps SWEDEN MAPS - here! Time SWEDEN TIME - here! Timeline of History SWEDEN TIMELINE - here! Travel Information SWEDEN TRAVEL - here! Weather SWEDEN WEATHER - here!
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