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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Sweden

Sweden is a Nordic country in northern Europe, located on the Scandinavian Peninsula.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sweden is a Nordic country in northern Europe, located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy with Stockholm as its capital and largest city. Sweden is a member of the European Union and uses the Swedish krona rather than the euro.

Geography

Sweden is one of the largest countries in Europe by area and is part of the Nordic region. Its landscape includes forests, lakes, rivers, and a long coastline along the Baltic Sea.

Government and politics

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The Riksdag is the national parliament, and the king serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role.

Population and language

Sweden has a population of about 10.6 million and is among the less densely populated countries in Europe. Swedish is the official language, and Stockholm is the largest city.

Economy and international position

Sweden is a high-income country with a developed economy and is a member of the European Union. It retains the Swedish krona instead of adopting the euro.

Key facts

  • Sweden is located in northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula.
  • Sweden has a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system.
  • Sweden is a member of the European Union but does not use the euro.
  • The country’s official language is Swedish and its currency is the Swedish krona.
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Canadian context

Sweden is of interest to Canadian readers through its Nordic political model, strong social welfare state, and close economic and cultural ties with Canada through trade, education, and international cooperation.

Frequently asked questions

What type of country is Sweden?
Sweden is a Nordic country and constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
What is the capital of Sweden?
The capital and largest city of Sweden is Stockholm.
What language is spoken in Sweden?
Swedish is the official language of Sweden.
What currency does Sweden use?
Sweden uses the Swedish krona, abbreviated SEK.
Is Sweden part of the European Union?
Yes. Sweden is a member of the European Union.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Sweden
    Supports: Sweden as a country in northern Europe; constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy
  2. National Geographic Kids — https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/countries/article/sweden
    Supports: Location, borders, population, monarchy, parliament, EU membership, currency
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden
    Supports: Official name, area, population, capital, government, Riksdag
  4. Nordic Council of Ministers — https://www.norden.org/en/information/facts-about-sweden
    Supports: Sweden as the largest country in the Nordic region and population context