IntroductionThe official name of Sweden is the Kingdom of Sweden. (Country.eiu.com) Sweden is located in the northern part of Europe and is a Scandinavian country. It borders the countries of Norway and Finland. Denmark is also nearby. Sweden is also the third largest country, in terms of physical size, in the European Union. The capital and largest city is Stockholm. Sweden has been a constitutional monarchy since 1809 and this continues to be the current government today. In 1921, universal suffrage was granted in Sweden to all people who were at least 18 years old. It supports “one of the most advanced social welfare systems in the world”, largely due to the type of legislation adopted in the “post-war period”. (Country.eiu.com) This article will focus on the type of government Sweden practices and how the country functions today. Historical and cultural context Sweden's first inhabitants arrived some time after the Ice Age. Around 8,000 BC, the colder climate forced people to move and abandon the area. Then, thousands of years later, people returned to the land. Extreme changes in the weather are an important part of Swedish culture. Much of Sweden's history also stems from the Vikings, who played an important role in types of trade and trade routes. During the Thirty Years' War, the Swedish government bureaucracy and financial system were developed. Gustav Vasa was a prominent Swedish monarch who helped lay “the foundations of the Swedish nation state in the early 16th century.” (Geographia.com) Gustavus Adolphus was another important figure who helped Sweden achieve "great power status" and acquire many possessions. "One outcome of this experience was a deep commitment to neutrality...... middle of paper ......Press, 2004. Massachusetts Institute of Technology"Sweden." LonelyPlanet.com. Network. November 27, 2013 “Sweden”. Wikipedia.org. 27 November. “The Swedish banking market”. SwedishBankers.se. Network. November 27, 2013. “The Swedish Government System.” November 27, 2013. Sweden.se. Network. November 27, 2013. "The World Factbook." 6 November 2013. Cia.gov. Network. 27 November 2013. News from the nuclear world. “Swedish Resources is the second largest in the world.” August 23, 2012. World-nuclear-news.org. Network. November 27 2013.