Sweden in brief / Problems are there to be solved
Sweden is a large country with long distances, a comparatively small population and a sometimes severe winter climate. During the 20th century, when Sweden was transformed in record time from a backward agrarian country into one of the world's strongest, most advanced industrial nations, there were thus heavy demands for infrastructure, transportation, communications and technological development. This background is one explanation for Sweden's sophisticated infrastructure and high degree of technological maturity today.
The Öresund Bridge. Photo: Martin Nyman/Image Bank Sweden
Looking at infrastructure, this high degree of development is reflected in everything from the road and highway network, the railroads and other transportation systems to IT, a field in which Sweden is sometimes classified as the most developed nation in the world.
One of the many eloquent indications of Sweden's internationally recognized speed in adopting new technology is that in 1900, Stockholm had more telephones — in absolute numbers — than London, Paris or Berlin. Sweden and the Swedish people have become so famous for their openness to new technology, new trends and patterns of behavior and consumption that to a growing extent, the country has come to be used as a test market by major multinational corporations in the development of new products and services.