Sweden

Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At 450,295 square kilometres (173,860 sq mi), Sweden is the largest Nordic country and the fifth-largest country in Europe. The capital and largest city is Stockholm. Sweden has a population of 10.5 million, and a low population density of 25.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (66/sq mi); around 87% of Swedes reside in urban areas in the central and southern half of the country. Sweden’s urban areas together cover 1.5% of its land area. Because the country is so long, ranging from 55°N to 69°N, the climate of Sweden is diverse.

Some of the key events about Sweden

1520
The Stockholm Bloodbath resulted in the execution of around 80-90 people
1523
Sweden gained independence from the Kalmar Union, establishing itself as a sovereign state
1648
The Thirty Years' War ended, leaving Sweden's economy strained despite territorial gains
1709
The Battle of Poltava marked the end of Sweden as a major European power
1766
Sweden became the first country to introduce freedom of the press into its constitution
1792
King Gustav III was assassinated at a masked ball in Stockholm
1809
Sweden lost Finland to Russia, ending nearly 600 years of Swedish rule
1842
Sweden introduced compulsory elementary education for all children
1901
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in Stockholm, establishing a prestigious international award tradition
1917
The Hunger March protests occurred due to food shortages during World War I
1921
Sweden became one of the first countries to grant women the right to vote
1944
Sweden introduced a comprehensive social welfare system, laying the foundation for its modern welfare state
1955
Sweden joined the United Nations, affirming its commitment to international cooperation
1974
A new constitution was adopted, formally ending the monarch's political power and strengthening parliamentary democracy
1986
Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated in Stockholm, a crime that remains unsolved
1994
The MS Estonia ferry disaster claimed 852 lives, many of them Swedish
1995
Sweden joined the European Union, further integrating with the European community
2003
Foreign Minister Anna Lindh was fatally stabbed while shopping in Stockholm
2009
Sweden legalized same-sex marriage, becoming one of the first countries in the world to do so
2017
A terrorist attack in Stockholm killed 5 people and injured 14 others

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.