According to archaeologists, Stockholm has been inhabited since about 1000 AD, but it’s not until 1252 that the city is first mentioned in writing.

Throughout the 13th and 14th centuries Stockholm was a trading town, ruled almost equally by Swedes and Germans.

It wasn’t until the 15th century, when Sweden expanded explosively to become one of the most prominent countries in Europe, that the town started to take the shape it has today. But as the era ended, so did Stockholm’s prosperity. The 16th and 17th centuries were plagued by poverty and decay as the nation struggled to get back on its feet after the big wars had been lost.

After the end of the Second World War, the whole country was flung into an economic boom while helping war-torn Europe rebuild, and the decades following 1940 left Stockholm almost a new city, after all the construction had been done.

Today Stockholm is at the centre of Sweden’s development and its remarkable mix of old and new stands as a witness of the city’s intense history.

POLITICS

Sweden employs a party system in which the parties take seats in the Swedish Riksdag (parliament) depending on how many votes they get. Every fourth year the Swedish population votes on who will govern them over the coming four years. Currently Sweden has seven established parties which have all held seats in the Riksdag for many years. There are two major coalitions, one red (consisting of Socialdemokraterna, Vänsterpartiet and Miljöpartiet) and one blue (Moderaterna, Folkpartiet, Kristdemokraterna and Centerpartiet).

The red coalition, although sometimes only compromised of Socialdemokraterna and Vänsterpartiet, has largely ruled Sweden in recent years, apart from a blue government between 1991 and 1994. The current prime minister is Göran Persson from Socialdemokraterna. Sweden’s next election is in 2006.

Sweden’s official head of state is King Carl XVI Gustaf. His power, however, is almost non-existent, and his foremost mission is to act as a representative of Sweden. But he’s highly appreciated among the Swedish public and has a very special symbolic value to most of his subjects.

RELIGION

Stockholm is as diverse in its religious beliefs as any capital in Europe. Over the last decades immigration have made Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and just about any other religion a part of Stockholm’s religious life. The supremacy of traditional Christian beliefs might exist on paper, as a percentage of the population who are registered with the church, but the actual degree of religious practice is open to debate. Although Stockholm is filled with beautiful churches—which are well worth a visit—their everyday use is less than it used to be.

During the past decade a number of mosques have also been built, both in central Stockholm and its surroundings, adding to the cultural mix that today represents religion in Stockholm more than anything else.

ECONOMY

Stockholm is without a doubt the most important city in Sweden, looked at from an economic perspective. People from all over the country have chosen to move to the capital, where wages in general are substantially higher and a good job is easier to find.

Currently Sweden’s economy is growing by approximately 2-4% per year, and it’s expected to go on this way for the foreseeable future. In this growth Stockholm, with its myriad of corporate headquarters, banks and companies, plays a crucial part. The centre of Stockholm and parts of Ostermalm have the largest concentration of businesses and offices.

POPULATION

Stockholm currently has a population of 1.9 million and continues to grow at a rate of about 30,000 individuals per year. Stockholm houses 25% of Sweden’s total population and is by a large margin the biggest city in Sweden. About 10% of Stockholm’s population is made up of immigrants and an even larger part is second-generation immigrants who are considered Swedes.

Stockholm hasn’t developed any typical areas for immigrants, such as a Chinatown, but many of the suburbs can be said to be highly populated by immigrants and they often have a very special feel to them. If you’re searching for something more exotic in the form of food, fresh vegetables or the like, you might want to check out one of the closer suburbs.

Stockholm’s population is, in general, very young. The ages 20-44 are heavily represented in the population statistics and the older generations less so. This is due to the fact that many people come to Stockholm to make a career, but after their career is over, some will return to the countryside or one of Sweden’s less intense cities.

Sweden’s total population is just over 9 million. It’s estimated it will reach the 10 million mark in 2027.