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It was truly a pleasure to spend time in such an historically rich country. A progressive society where men are allowed generous paternity leaves on behalf of family values, and every citizen has health care funded by the state. Sweden is also a land of contradictions, the place where industrialist Alfred Nobel patented
The country is slightly larger than California with a population of approximately 9 million people. Its capital, Stockholm, actually consists of
24,000 islands and islets. This helps explain the mariner history of its Viking past. Sweden is also a land of timber and iron ore that provided the natural resource for arms and ships described as early as the
1st
In addition to the romantic capital city, I had the opportunity to visit the historic city of Gotenberg (Goteberg)
where the Swedish East India Company was founded in 1731 for the purpose of conducting trade with the far east. The venture was inspired by the success of the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company. The East India operation grew to become the largest trading company in Sweden during the 18th century. Among other
Sweden, country of the future, is a model of economic liberalization that boasts tax-funded childcare, parental leave, a ceiling on health care costs, tax-funded education (including college), retirement pensions, tax-funded dental care up to 20 years of age and sick leave (partly paid by the employer). Swedish parents are entitled to a total of 480 days partly paid leave between birth and the child's eighth birthday, with 60 days reserved specifically for each parent. Throughout the country one finds parents and their children leisurely strolling together along scenic paths made just for them and their new arrival.
The government of Sweden is a constitutional monarchy, a form of government in which a king or queen reigns with limits to their power along with a governing Parliamentary body. The parliament meets in an exquisite city hall that is also a functional venue for community activities, including the legendaryNobel ceremony every year. In terms of religion, until 1951 it was mandatory for citizens to be a member of a religious denomination. Things have changed significantly since then. In 2005, 23% of Swedish citizens claimed that "they believe there is a god", whereas 53% say that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 23% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force".
At present, the rate of single-people in Sweden is one of the highest in the world and attitudes towards the LGBT community are fairly liberal. Sweden also ranks in the best five countries with respect to infant mortality. It ranks high in life expectancy and has plenty of safe drinking water. Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism, extensive benefits, and 0% of the population under the poverty line.
More pictures of Stockholm and Goteberg The incredible 17th Century ship: Vasa
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the detonator for dynamite and then created a
nine million dollar endowment to award people whose work helps humanity.
The beauty of the country provides a majestic backdrop for the stage where winners, including His Holiness The Dalai Lama, have shared moments of recognition for their accomplishments. Cosmopolitan yet quaint, the city's charm quiets the mind even when gliding down a busy street in a cab. Although a history of warfare and expansion belies its gentle quietude, since 1814, Sweden has been at peace, adopting a non-aligned foreign policy in peacetime and neutrality in wartime.
century by Roman historian Tacitus. The nation's colorful history continues
as Vikings engage in trade, piracy and mercenary activities while roaming the river systems and ports of what later was to become Russia, reaching the Caspian Sea and Constantinople. 
things Sweden dealt in the trade of slaves briefly, but abandoned the practice due to more pressing issues of war at home. Goteberg, 2006, is a city of civility, open display of family love, beautiful public spaces, museums and attractions well worth the time to visit and absorb.
