Exploring a European Country Research Activity

1. To what extent was this country ruled by others? Use evidence to support your answer.
Sweden has always been independent and was never ruled by others.
2. Which 20
th
century events had the greatest influence on this country? Choose two events and explain their impact.
The country joined the United Nations in 1946, it did not join the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO). Sweden has
always been trying to keep the peace they havent been part of World War one or World War two. Sweden became a
member of the European Union in 1995. Sweden is part of The European Union which is similar to the United Nations.
3. Identify the following:
Topic Details
Well known cities, regions, or
landforms
It is bounded by Norway on the north and west, Denmark on the southeast, and
the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea, and Finland on the east.
Stockholm is one of the beautiful cities in Sweden.
Relative size (size in relationship to
another place)
With a total area of 449,966 sq km (173,732 sq mi), it is close in size to the state
of California.
Description of natural environment The country has about 100,000 lakes and many rivers, and more than half its
terrain is forested.
Population size There are 9.2 million people that live in Sweden. Most of its 9.2 million people
live in the south of the country.
Degree of diversity
(1=homogenous; 10=very diverse)
with explanation
Out of 1-10 Sweden is about a 4 in diversity.

Languages/Alphabets Swedish is a Germanic language closely related to Norwegian and Danish. There
are also similarities between Swedish and English, and most Swedes speak
English as a second language.


4. How does folklore influence the peoples worldview or actions? Explain your answer using specific details.
Every province of Sweden has its own customs and local lore. People believe in certain Folklores of legends of why there
are lush fertile and rocky barren lands in Sweden. Also the Folklore says how God created the people who live in those
areas to be adapted to those certain areas.
5. What religion(s) is practiced in this country, and how does it impact the people?
Sweden's state religion was Lutheranism, and about 76% of the population belongs to the Church of Sweden, the
country's Lutheran church.


6. Are rites of passage in this country similar to or different from rites of passage in the U.S.? Explain your answer
using specific pieces of evidence.
Many of the rites of passage are similar to the US rights of passage that young people undergo are religious rituals, such
as baptism, first Communion, confirmation, and marriage. In addition, a student's progress through the education
system is marked by many families with graduation parties.
7. What tips on interpersonal behavior might you give to an American who is about to travel to this country? Provide
at least three.
A very common practice among Swedes, when they are invited to another's home, is to bring flowers which are of an
odd number. They are not very demonstrative in their gestures, and refrain from touching others when communicating,
as it is considered poor manners. When hosting a group of less than 12 guests, the Swedish host demonstrates his or her
etiquette in the art of toasting, which is performed according to a rigid, complex set of rules.
8. Is the standard of living in this country better, worse, or about the same as that of the U.S.? Justify your answer
with at least three pieces of evidence.
Contemporary housing is basically similar throughout the country, and it features building materials and styles similar to
those in the United States. Sweden's extensive system of social insurance pays for medical and dental care. The average
life expectancy in Sweden is 78.5 years for men and 83 years for women. The US life expectancy is 76 years.

9. Is family important in this country? Why or why not? Use specific details in your response.

Family is important in Sweden. Most Swedish families have only one or two children. Sweden's divorce rate has
doubled since 1960. However, as in the United States, the younger Swedish generation considers marriage more as
a partnership with shared responsibilities extended to the children family members, since both spouses work.


10. Does this country have distinctive traditional clothing? Explain your answer citing specific details.
The clothing they wear in Sweden is modern, Western-style clothing, as in the United States. The Swedes' casual wear is
typically slacks, shorts, and T-shirts. Likewise, suits are worn by both men and women in the typical place of business,
and tuxedos and evening gowns appear at formal affairs.

11. How has globalization impacted food and diet in this country? Explain your answer using specific facts.
Globalization has affected the food and diet of the Swedish people. The food they eat have savor rich sauces, which is
heavily influenced by the French. The Swedish name for the open-faced sandwich meal universal throughout
Scandinaviasmrgsbord is the one by which this buffet meal is known in the United States. The Swedes love fish,
especially salmon, which is typically smoked, marinated, or cured with dill and salt.

12. How might your educational experience in this country differ from the schooling you receive in the U.S.?
Sweden has a literacy rate of virtually 100%. School is mandatory between the ages of 7 and 16. During the first nine
years, students attend a "comprehensive school," where they study a variety of subjects. Grades one through three are
called the junior grades, four through six the middle grades, and seven through nine the senior grades.

13. What cultural influences or accomplishments is this country best known for? List and describe at least three.
Selma Lagerlof, the first Swede to win the Nobel Prize, is known for both her novels and her children's classic The
Wonderful Adventures of Nils. In the visual arts, prominent Swedish names include the sculptor Carl Milles and the
jewelry maker Sigurd Persson. The Swedish film industry has gained a worldwide audience for its films, notably those of
its world-famous director Ingmar Bergman. There is also Zlatan Ibrahimovid who is a Swedish professional footballer
who plays as a striker for the Swedish national team for which he is captain.

14. Summarize the overall economy of this country in 2-3 sentences.
Sweden has a little bit of an economic problem. Sweden has a high rate of alcoholism, and organizations devoted to
helping people deal with this problem have around 6,000 local chapters altogether. Another problem is absenteeism
from work, which rose sharply in the late 1980s. One of out every four workers called in sick on any given day. There is
still some racism.
15. How do people of this country spend their leisure time? List at least five activities. Would you want to live there?
Many of the Swedes' leisure hours are devoted to outdoor activities that enable them to enjoy their country's beautiful
natural scenery. The most popular sport to play is fotboll or soccer in the US. It is common to retreat to rural areas
during weekends and vacations. Walking is a favorite pastime in Sweden, and marked walking paths can be found
throughout the country. Sailing on Sweden's rivers and lakes is also very popular.

16. List (in order of significance what you feel are the three biggest problems that this country needs to resolve.
I feel that the three biggest problems that Sweden needs to resolve are the Racism going on, alcoholism, and the work
abstinences.

17. Are all people treated equally in this country? Why or why not? Explain your answer using specific evidence.
People are treated pretty equal within Sweden. Governmental policy is to ensure that "women and men shall have
equal power to shape society and their own lives." Women and men are to enjoy the same opportunities, rights, and
obligations in all spheres of life. The government promotes equal pay between women and men, an equal distribution of
unpaid care and household work, and an end to men's violence against women. Sweden has done much to accomplish
these goals.