Göran Persson
Prime Minister

(pronounced "YUR-an PERSH-on")

"The strength of democracy is determined in the meeting between people. Democracy does not only confer rights. It also entails obligations. Each and every one of us must always refuse to choose indifference or oblivion. Each and every one of us must take an active stand."

The Kingdom of Sweden, situated in northern Europe between Norway and Finland, is part of the Scandinavian peninsula. The total area is 449,964 sq km (173,731 sq mi) with an estimated population of 8.9 million in 2002. Approximately 80% of the people live in urban areas. Stockholm, located on the eastern Baltic coast, is the capital and largest city.

Sweden is ethnically and culturally homogeneous, but much less so than a generation ago. Although virtually everyone speaks Swedish, post-1945 immigration has introduced significant multicultural elements. Two traditional...