
A military power
during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war
in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both
World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist
system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged
in the 1990s by high unemployment, rising maintenance costs, and
a declining position in world markets. Indecision over the country's
role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed
Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction
of the euro in 1999. LOCATION:
Northern Europe, bordering the
Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland
and Norway CLIMATE: Temperate
in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers;
subarctic in north BORDERS:
Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km Downhill
and cross-country skiing are popular sports in Sweden. There
are ski centers in Vastmanland and Stockholm. Hiking, canoeing,
orienteering and diving opportunities abound. The spectacular
Northern Lights or the aurora borealis can be seen in the north
of the country. The aurora borealis are a natural phenomenon
characterized by the appearance of streamers of coloured light
in the sky caused by the interaction of charged particles from
the sun with atoms in the upper atmosphere.