SWEDEN Officially known as The Kingdom of SwedenOfficially known as The Kingdom of Sweden.
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Transcript of SWEDEN Officially known as The Kingdom of SwedenOfficially known as The Kingdom of Sweden.
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