Sweden lies in the east of the Scandinavian peninsula; it was created when
the Goths and Svears came together in the seventh century. In the late
fourteenth century it united with Norway and Denmark and the union lasted
until 1527 when Gustavs Vasa led a rebellion against Danish rule. In 1814
Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden but this union ended in 1905. Since 1814
Sweden has not fought a war and has remained neutral. Sweden's economy is
highly industrialised and it relies heavily on its vast natural resources
such as timber and mineral deposits. Moreover, hydroelectric power is
plentiful and is exploited by industry. Lutheran Protestantism is the
principal religion and Swedish the official language; however, Lapp and
Finnish are also spoken.