Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Since the beginning of this year, Sweden has been holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, which lasts for six months and ends at the end of this month. This year, 2023, is a very special year - Sweden celebrates 500 years as an independent country. The quinquennial celebrations continue throughout the year, but will be particularly noticeable on Sweden's National Day, which is celebrated annually on June 6.

What happened 500 years ago? A statement issued by the current Swedish Presidency of the European Union answers and says that on June 6, 1523, Gustav Vasa was elected King of Sweden by an assembly in Strengnas, 59 kilometers west of Stockholm. After his election, Sweden left the Kalmar Union along with Denmark and Norway. Thus Sweden became an independent country - and has remained so ever since.
This year is a Royal Jubilee year in two respects. Not only has it been 500 years since Gustav Vasa was crowned King - this year also marks 50 years on the throne for His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav, the current and longest-reigning King of Sweden.
It is one of the Scandinavian countries located in Northern Europe. Sweden has land borders with Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, and maritime borders with Denmark, Germany and Poland to the south and Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia to the east. Sweden is also connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Oresund.

Sweden is the third largest country in the European Union in terms of area (450,295 sq km) and the population is estimated at about 10,215,250 million people.