Northeast Europe, Scandinavia.

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

449,964 sq km (173,732 sq miles).

9.1 million (UN estimate 2007).

20 per sq km.

Stockholm. Population: 788,269 (2007).

Sweden is bordered by Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, with a long Baltic coast to the east and south. Approximately half the country is forested and most of the many thousands of lakes are situated in the southern central area. The largest lake is Vänern, with an area of 5,540 sq km (2,140 sq miles). Swedish Lapland to the north is mountainous and extends into the Arctic Circle.

Member since 1995.

Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from Denmark in 1523.

King Carl XVI Gustaf since 1973.

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt since 2006.

The Social Democrats had held power for most of the last 70 years until the 2006 general elections, when a centre-right coalition headed by Moderate Party leader Fredrik Reinfeldt won a narrow majority in parliament. Former leader Göran Persson had spent 10 years as prime minister.

Although Sweden has long been staunchly neutral in world affairs, Reinfeldt is a supporter of the country joining NATO. Sweden surprised the world in 2005 by announcing that it is aiming to break its dependence on imported oil by 2020, and it has launched a massive programme to phase out nuclear power in favour of renewable energy sources.

Swedish. Lapp is spoken by the Sámi population in the north; there are also Finnish-speaking minorities. English is taught as the first foreign language from the age of nine.

Around 86% of the population belong to the Church of Sweden (Evangelical Lutheran), which separated from the state in January 2000; other Protestant minorities constitute the majority of the remainder.

220 volts, three-phase AC, 50Hz. Two-pin continental plugs are used.

Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary for the guest to refrain from drinking until the host makes a toast. The guest should also thank the host for the meal by saying ‘tack för maten'. Casual dress is acceptable for everyday occasions; smarter wear for social occasions, exclusive restaurants and clubs. Evening wear (black tie) will usually be specified when required. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in most public buildings.