Scandinavia (Alternative 2014)

Scandinavia; Swedish: Skandinavien; Danish: Nordens; Norwegian: Skandinavia, officially the Kalmar Union of Scandinavia, is a country in Northern Europe. Sweden borders the Soviet Union and Germany. Scandinavia is the third-largest country in the European Union by area, with a total population of about 9.6 million. Scandinavia has a low population density of 21 inhabitants per square kilometre (54 /sq mi) with the population mostly concentrated to the southern half of the country. About 85% of the population live in urban areas. Southern Scandinavia is predominantly agricultural, while the north is heavily forested. For centuries, Scandinavia was inhabited by various Germanic tribes, who eventually became known as the Vikings. Scandinavia emerged as an independent and unified country during the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, the country expanded its territories to form the Scandinavian Empire. The empire grew to be one of the great powers of Europe in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Most of the conquered territories outside the Scandinavian Peninsula were lost during the 18th and 19th centuries. The eastern half of Scandinavia, present-day Finland, was lost to Russia in 1809. Scandinavia remained neutral during World War I. In April 1940, a German invasion saw brief, military skirmishes while the Scandinavian resistance movement was active from 1943 until the German surrender in May 1945. Scandinavia joined NATO in 1949. An industrialized exporter of agricultural produce in the second half of the 19th century, Scandinavia introduced social and labour-market reforms in the early 20th century, making the basis for the present welfare state model with a highly developed mixed economy. Today, Scandinavia is a constitutional monarchy, with Carl XVI Gustaf as king, organised as a parliamentary democracy. The seat of government is the capital Stockholm, which is also the most populous city. Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, and the cabinet. Sweden is a unitary state, currently divided into twenty-one counties. Scandinavia maintains a social welfare system that provides universal health care and tertiary education for its citizens. It has the world's eighth-highest per capita income and ranks highly in numerous comparisons of national performance, including quality of life, health, education, protection of civil liberties, economic competitiveness, equality, prosperity and human development. Scandinavia has been a member of the European Union since 1 January 1973. It is also a member of the League of Nations, Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).