Hard facts on Sweden

Sweden today:

Language is Swedish, English. Currency is Swedish Krona.
Unemployment is currently 3.9%. Population is 9 131 425 people

Most popular boys name in 2006:
1 Lucas
2 Oscar
3 William
4 Elias
5 Filip

Most popular girls name in 2006
1 Emma
1 Maja
3 Agnes
4 Julia
5 Alva

Most popular women names
1 Maria
2 Anna
3 Margareta
4 Elisabeth
5 Eva

Most well known Swedish world contributions are:

Carl Linne (Carl von Linné, 1707-1778)
The Nobel Prize (Alfred Nobel, 1833–96)
Smörgåsbord
ABBA (1972-1982)
IKEA (1943- )


Some Swedish history:

Sometime during year 700-1100 AD Sweden experienced the
Viking Age. The Vikings liked gods such as Oden and Thor.
The word Thursday comes from the Swedish word Torsdag, Thors day.

In year 1812 Sweden as we know it now takes form. Since then
sweden has not been engaged in war. At least not as a fighting
nation. The border countries are Finland and Norway.

Now Sweden is a friendly part of Scandinavia and a leader in
environmental care. The general goal is to have an ecologically
sustainable Sweden by 2020. I really hope it works out but I
wonder if the government can meet the expectations...

Sweden has something called Allemansrätt, "The right of public
access" which gives everyone the possibility to go basically
anywhere in nature when considering the essence of the phrase,
"Do not disturb, do not destroy". This is one of the great
things in Sweden making people feel more equal.

More on Sweden to come later if you want..

Thank you (Tack)

Lots of scouts in Sweden!

20.000 scouts from 40 countries have gathered in
jiingijamborii camp outside of Kristianstad in Sweden.

They say every other second one scout arrived during the
weekend. A whole small village will be built by the scouts,
banks, shops, drugstores and a lot of tents.

They will probably look forward to a stay with rain, moscitoes,
bugs and too little sleep.

2500 people are working full time to make all this happen, they
all do it voluntary.

The camp is a way to celebrate the scout movements 100 year
birthday and also a warm up practise for the next event. In
2011 there will be 30000 scouts coming to Sweden.

Babies later in life

In Stockholm, Sweden the trend is to have babies later and later in life.

More and more women give birth after they have
turned forty. 12,5 percent are forty or older

The trend is strong and fuelled with more women
getting up to three children.

Today three or more children brings higher status.
People want to be different and not just get two
kids as everybody else..

Get a education first then children seems to be the
new way of life.


With older parents kids get better health, parents
are usually higher educated, smoke less and have a
more quiet life style

Kids with older parents also do better in school
and parents divorce less often

Sounds great, only problem might be that
grandchildren won't have the time to get to know
their grandparents.

Enjoy the spring sun!

The typical swedish person is now enjoying the spring sun!

Parks and street cafe's are full of people tired of bad weather.

Most typical activity in late April and May is:

* Place oneself in a sunny spot!
* Undress as much as possible without getting naked!
* Eat icecream!
* Have a picnic!

Swedish Vacuum Cleaners Everywhere

Now Swedish vacuum cleaners will conquer the world. Ikea will start selling something that is very typical Swedish world wide, the little green "vacuum cleaners" one of the most classical coffee cakes in Sweden.

Know and loved by all old ladies going for a cup of coffee in the afternoon. In Swedish they are called punchrulle (punch roll) or dammsugare (vacuum cleaner). Have a bite and you are hooked!

Sugar candy

Swedish people eat a lot of sugar candy. Now a majority of parents want at least to get rid of it in schools. No more Coca-Cola or candy and more exercise instead.

Today's parents don't have enough control over what kids eat according to a large survey done in Sweden.

1000 parents have been asked what they think about kids eating habits and most of them feel that kids today too easily can find and buy unhealthy foods. Most of them think the consumption of sugars are too high.

Dentist, doctors and nurses now wants the politicians to do something about it. We need more information on eating habits and physical activity they say.

Well, I guess the typical Swedish kids today spend more and more time in front of a computer and probably the same time eating snacks and candy.

I think we need to come up with something really new to break these bad habits.