SWEDEN

The Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe, Its capital city is Stockholm. Sweden has a low population density except in its metropolitan areas; The citizens enjoy a high standard of living and the country is generally perceived as modern and liberal. Nature conservation, environmental protection and energy efficiency are generally prioritized in policy making and embraced by the general public in Sweden. Sweden has a rich supply of water power, but lacks significant oil and coal deposits. In an effort to phase out the dependency on nuclear power and fossil fuels, the Swedish government has launched a multi-billion dollar program to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Since the Middle Ages, Sweden has been a major European exporter of iron, copper and timber. Improved transportation and communication have allowed more remote natural assets to be utilized on a larger scale, most notably timber and iron ore. Economic liberalization as well as universal schooling contributed to the rapid industrialization, and by the 1890s the country had begun to develop an advanced manufacturing industry. In the 20th century, Sweden emerged as a welfare state; consequently, it usually ranks among the top countries in the UN Human Development Index or HDI.