Since the devaluation of the Swedish crown, Sweden has become quite affordable, and the simple joys of fresh air, landscape and culture are free. Its forests are starkly beautiful, its lakes giant. Stockholm, the country's capital, is a progressive city with pockets that maintain a village feel.

Area: 449,964 sq km
Population: 8.87 million
Capital City: Stockholm (pop 736,000)
People: 90% Swedes, 3% Finns, 0.15% Sami (indigenous Lapp inhabitants)
Language: Swedish, English
Religion: Lutheran 87%,
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: King Carl XVI Gustaf
Head of Government: Prime Minister Göran Persson

GDP: US$230.7 billion
GDP per capita: US$26,000
Annual Growth: 1%
Inflation: 2%
Major Industries: Forestry, mining, agriculture, engineering and high tech manufacturing, telecommunications, IKEA
Major Trading Partners: EU, US
Member of EU: Yes