Sweden

==OVERVIEW==
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, Finland to the east, and is connected to Denmark in the southwest by a bridge–tunnel across the Öresund. Sweden is the largest Nordic country fourth-largest country in Europe. The capital and largest city is Stockholm. Sweden has a total population of 10.5 million, and a low population density of 25.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (66/sq mi), with around 87% of Swedes residing in urban areas, which cover 1.5% of the entire land area, in the central and southern half of the country.
Nature in Sweden is dominated by forests and many lakes, including some of the largest in Europe. Many long rivers run from the Scandes range through the landscape, primarily emptying into the northern tributaries of the Baltic Sea. It has an extensive coastline and most of the population lives near a major body of water. The climate of Sweden is diverse due to the length of the country. The usual conditions are mild for the latitudes with a maritime south, continental centre and subarctic north. Snow cover is variable in the densely populated south, but reliable in higher latitudes. Furthermore, the rain shadow of the Scandes results in quite dry winters and sunny summers in much of the country.
==HISTORY (1914 Onward)==
Sweden carefully sat out of the First World War as a neutral state and walked the fine balance of keeping the Germans and Russians at arms length. When Russia and Finland came to blows the Swedes provided material aid to the Finns but stopped short of an official declaration of war or direct military action. Without any conflict to speak of on Swedish soil and deft handling of the combatant powers in the war allowed Sweden to emerge into the 20th Century as one of the most economically intact powers in Europe, second only to Spain. 
As the Russian Revolution burned hotter and Germany struggled to regain its feet, Sweden at last found itself aligning with Finland against revolutionary forces in Russia. Ever wary of the powers in Europe and the Russian bear tearing itself to pieces, the Nordic states of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland signed the Nordic Defence Pact ("NDP") in which each would consider an attack on one as an attack on all. The long tradition of Scandinavian Neutrality remained alive and well in the decision to make the Pact a full military alliance. 
Sweden, along with other members of the NDP, have fought several small wars with various warring Russian Factions, but they have also carefully used their finances and resources to assist with the rebuilding of Europe. 
A series of effective Governments have kept Sweden on a steady course but as Fascism and Communism continue to gain ground elsewhere in Europe, the status quo may be shifting toward an uncertain future. 
==ARMED FORCES==
The Swedish Armed Forces have an Army, Navy, and Airforce.
Category:Countries
Category:Europe
Category:UND