Sweden

1. The Flag Map Population Religion Language Dress Traditions Arts Holiday Recipe Sweden Seth Womeldorf

2. The Flag • The flag of Sweden is blue with a yellow Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges of the flag. The design and colors of the Swedish flag are believed to have been inspired by the present Coat of arms of Sweden of 1442, which is blue divided quarterly by a cross pattée of gold, and modeled on the Danish flag.

3. Map • Sweden’s capital is Stockholm, the country has an area of 173,745 square miles.

4. Population • Sweden currently has a population of 9,354,462 people. Sweden is 88th in rank. The life expectancy of people is a bit higher than the average of 75 in the USA it’s age 78.

5. Enviroment • If there is any flaw in Sweden, it's in the environment. Acid rain has polluted lakes and killed fish. The wolverine has been hunted to near extinction. Even so, Sweden is still known for its natural beauty. In the summer, people enjoy canoeing, hiking and tougher challenges such as orienteering. In the winter, they enjoy cross-country skiing through birch forests. Sometimes kids just like to slide on the frozen canals in their neighborhood. Sweden has produced athletes such as tennis player Bjorn Borg and downhill ski champion IngemarStenmark.

6. Religion • A blue flag with a yellow cross tells the world that Sweden is a Christian nation. Almost all of the people are Lutherans. Although this is the state religion, others are free to worship in their own ways. The Sami, for example, believe that gods exist in the forces of nature.

7. Language • Hello • Good Bye • How are you ? • Please • Thank you • Hej • adjö • hurmår du • Vänligen • Tack In Sweden the main language is Swedish, but most know English, too. Some speak North Sami. Swedish belongs to the same language group as Norwegian, Danish and Icelandic. Below are some common phrases in their language.

8. Dress • Though most Swedes wear modern Western clothes, a few traditions remain. Students often wear traditional white caps on graduation day. Sami wear warm parkas and folk performers wear traditional costumes.

9. Traditions • People from Sweden Celebrate most of the holidays we do including New Years, Valentines day, Easter, Spring Break, and Christmas with advents. The Swedish celebrate everything with special foods, rituals, and light ! Light is big thing during celebrations it doesn’t matter if it is sun light, candle light, or fireworks there will be light.

10. Arts •  Sweden has produced famous entertainers. Jenny Lind's voice earned her the nickname "The Swedish Nightingale." The pop group ABBA had hit songs such as "Dancing Queen" throughout the 1970s. More recent performers include Ace of Base, Roxette and the Cardigans. Sweden has also contributed to the silver screen. Greta Garbo appeared in silent movies as well as in "talkies." Ingrid Bergman, famous for her role in Casablanca, also appeared in many other movies. The renowned Ingmar Bergman directed her last one, Autumn Sonata. His biggest international success was Fanny and Alexander. Astrid Lindgren wrote the PippiLongstocking books for children. August Strindberg criticized people and society in his plays, stories and poems

11. Holiday •   In Sweden the Christmas season begins with Lucia Day on December 13th. Each town chooses a girl to represent Santa Lucia, the Sicilian saint. She leads a procession wearing a holly wreath with candles on her head. Christmas only ends on the 20th Day of Knut when children eat the last candies off the Christmas tree and throw it outside. The dried old trees are part of Easter celebrations. Though Swedes celebrate Christ's Resurrection on this holiday, they also say that witches come out.

12. Recipe (Swedish Meat Balls) Ingredients 2 slices fresh white bread 1/4 cup milk 3 tablespoons clarified butter, divided 1/2 cup finely chopped onion A pinch plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 pound ground chuck 3/4 pound ground pork 2 large egg yolks 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 3 cups beef broth 1/4 cup heavy cream Directions Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Tear the bread into pieces and place in a small mixing bowl along with the milk. Set aside. In a 12-inch straight sided sauté pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and sweat until the onions are soft. Remove from the heat and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread and milk mixture, ground chuck, pork, egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and onions. Beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes. Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds. Heat the remaining butter in the sauté pan over medium-low heat, or in an electric skillet set to 250 degrees F. Add the meatballs and saute until golden brown on all sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the meatballs to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in the warmed oven. Once all of the meatballs are cooked, decrease the heat to low and add the flour to the pan or skillet. Whisk until lightly browned, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the beef stock and whisk until sauce begins to thicken. Add the cream and continue to cook until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. Remove the meatballs from the oven, cover with the gravy and serve.