Sweden

-Country Name:
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige
-Year Founded:
A foundation date of the nation Sweden cannot be determined with any degree of certainty, since it evolved from a warfare center of power, Svea Rike, centered in old Uppsala, which might have had many increases and decreases in power and influence. The existence of such a power is stated already by Tacitus around AD 100.
-Population:
9,059,651 (July 2009 est.)
-Primary Language:
Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
-Ethnic Make-up:
Indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
-Political System:
Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy
-Year Entered the European Union:
1995
-Representative of the European Union (include party):
On July 24 2008 the Sweden Government appointed Christian Danielsson as Sweden's Permanent Representative at the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union in Brussels.
-Type of Economy:
Capitalism
-Currency:
Swedish kronor (SEK)
-Current Exchange rate for American Currency:
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 6.4074 (2008 est.), 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006), 7.4731 (2005), 7.3489 (2004)
-GDP:
per capita- $39,600 (2008 est.)
-Percentage of Trade within the European Union:
In 2003, the other EU countries accounted for 54 per cent of Sweden's exports and 67 per cent of Sweden's imports.
-Unemployment Rate:
6.4% (2008 est.)
-Chief Exports:
The chief exports are machinery, motor vehicles, paper goods, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, and chemicals.
-Key Imports:
The main imports are machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel, foodstuffs, and clothing.
-Major Religions:
Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%
-Surrounding Countries:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between -Finland and Norway
-Literacy Rate:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)
-One Interesting Fact:
On 1 July 2009, Sweden will take over the Presidency of the EU. This means that for six months, Sweden will lead the EU's work and be responsible for moving important EU issues forward



http://www.answers.com/topic/sweden

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sw.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sw.html

http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/10787/a/108942

http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/11312

http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/3086/a/118577

By- Bárbara Villanueva

Finland

Country Name: Republic of Finland

Year Founded: the area now composing Finland was settled at the latest around 8500 BCE during the Stone Age.

Population: Around 5.3 million people reside in Finland, with the majority concentrated in the southern part of the country.

Primary Language: The native language for most of the population is Finnish.

Ethnic Make-up: Earliest people were hunter-gatherers.

Political System: Finland is a democratic, parliamentary republic with a mostly Helsinki-based central government and local governments in 348 municipalities.

Year Entered the European Union: Finland joined the European Union in 1995.
Representative of the European Union (include party) Olli Ilmari Rehn, European Commissioner for Enlargement (ECE).

Type of Economy: Finland has a highly industrialized; largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.

Currency: Euro.

Current Exchange rate for American Currency: on December 31, 2000, FIM 6.31 was worth one United States dollar; from 1.1.2002 the EURO is the legal tender.

GDP: Total estimate in 2007 is $185.853 billion

Percentage of Trade within the European Union: European countries other than the Soviet Union accounted for only slightly over 2 percent of trade.

Unemployment Rate: During 2009, unemployment will climb to over 8% of the labor force.

Chief Exports: Finland excels in high-tech exports such as mobile phones.

Key Imports: Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods and foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains

Major Religions: the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.

Surrounding Countries: It borders Sweden on the west, Russia on the east, and Norway on the north, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.

Literacy Rate: That Finnish literacy rates are among the highest - if not the highest - in the world is a tribute to the effectiveness of the Finnish education system.

One Interesting Fact: A mayor and tradicional dispute on Finland is that various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands.

Sources:

- Finland, Obtained on March 23 2009,
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fi.html

- Education, Obtained on March 23, 2009,

http://www.visitfinland.com/w5/index.nsf/(pages)/Education

- Findland, Obtained on March 23, 2009,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland

By: Laura Garcia :*

FRANCE

Country Name-Official name The French Republic, is a country located in Western Europe.

Year Founded-Around 843

Population- 64,057,792.

Primary Language- French

Ethnic Make-up- Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese.

Political System- Republic.

Year Entered the European Union- It entered the EU the 1 of November 1993, it was one of the countries who founded the EU.

Representative of the European Union - Pierre Sellal, From the party of Partido Popular de Cataluna.

Type of Economy- It is ranked as the sixth largest economy by nominal GDP. It is advance in some sectors, public transport, and defense industries.

Currency- Euro.

Current Exchange rate for American Currency - 1.349 dollars

GDP- $2.5 trillion.

Percentage of Trade within the European Union- Germany 14.9%, Spain 9.3%, Italy 8.9%, UK 8.1%, Belgium 7.3%, US 6.1%, Netherlands 4.1%

Unemployment Rate- 7.4%

Chief Exports- Machinery, wheats, cerals.

Key Imports- Electricity, oil, and natural gas.

Major Religions- The main religion is Roman Catholics, followed by protestants.

Surrounding Countries- Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy,Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland.

Literacy Rate- From the total population is 99%.

One Interesting Fact- French cooking is considered one of the best in the world.

The European Union

Lithuania

* Country Name
Officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublika) is a country in Northern Europe, the southernmost of the three Baltic states.

* Year Founded
14 February 1009

* Population
3.596.617

* Primary Language
Lithuanian

* Ethnic Make-up
Lithuanians (84.6%)
Poles (6.3%)
Russians (5.1%)
Belarusians (1.1%)
Ukrainian (0.65%)
Others (1,62%)
(Germans, gypsys, tartars, Armenian, letones, others)


* Political System
Semi-presidential republic.
Lithuania is considered a parliamentary representative democratic republic in the European Union.

* Year Entered the European Union
On May 1, 2004, Lithuania joined the European Union.

* Representative of the European Union (include party)
Rytis Martikonis
Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the EU, Representative to COREPER II
(Assistant Ieva Lukaševičienė, phone +32 2 401 3530, fax +32 2 771 4597)


* Type of Economy
A stable, diversified, fast-growing and attractive economy with great potentials of development.
The most attractive business and investment climate among the new member countries of the EU.

* Currency
Lithuanian litas (Lt) (LTL)

* Current Exchange rate for American Currency
1 LTL = 0,3915 USD

* GDP
GDP (PPP)
2008 IMF October estimate

- Total $63.579billion[1] (75th)

- Per capita
$18,854 (46th)

GDP (nominal)
2008 IMF October estimate

- Total $48.747 billion [2] (75th)

- Per capita
$14,456 (39th)

* Percentage of Trade within the European Union
The entry of Lithuania into the EU will greatly expand the nation's international trade. It will give Lithuania access to the markets of 15 countries which will also be able to use Lithuania as a gateway for entry into the markets of the former Soviet Union. Already, trade between Lithuania and the EU members has dramatically increased. Since 1997, exports to the EU have increased by 21.8 percent. Meanwhile imports from the EU increased by 13.3 percent.
* Unemployment Rate
3.5%

* Chief Exports
Export partners
Russia (16.1%)
Latvia (11.6%)
Germany (7.2%)
Poland (5.8%)
Estonia (5.7%)

Main export commodities include:
mineral products (25%)
electrical machinery and mechanical equipment (10.6%)
chemical products (9.7%)
transport vehicles and associated transport equipment (8.6%).

* Key Imports
Import partners
Russia (30.1%)
Germany (11.7%)
Poland (10%)
Latvia (5.2%)


Main import commodities include: Mineral products (29.7%) Electrical machinery and mechanical equipment (14.2%) Transport vehicles and associated Transport equipment (12.1%) Chemical products (9%

* Major Religions
Roman Catholic (primarily)(80%)
Eastern Orthodox
Protestant
Muslim
Judaism

* Surrounding Countries
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg

* Literacy Rate
A portion of people 15-years-old and older who can read and write reached 99.8%
- Men: 99.8% - Women: 99.8%

* One Interesting Fact
Juozapinė Hill is the highest point in Lithuania with an elevation of only 292,7 meters (957 feet).

The European Union

Luxembourg

Country Name
· Officially thez Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
· It is a small landlocked country in Western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany.

Population
· Population of under half a million people in an area of approximately 2,586 square kilometers.
· 2007 estimate: 480,222.

Year Founded
· Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands.
· Full independence was attained in 1867.

Languages
· Three languages are recognized as official in Luxembourg: French, German, and Luxembourgish.

Ethnic Make-up
· The people of Luxembourg are called Luxembourgers.
· Luxembourger 63.1%, Portuguese 13.3%, French 4.5%, Italian 4.3%, German 2.3%, other EU 7.3%, other 5.2% (2000 census).

Government and politics
· Luxembourg is a parliamentary democracy headed by a constitutional monarch.
· Capital: Luxembourg

· Luxembourg is divided into 3 districts: Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg.
· Under the constitution of 1868:
Executive power is exercised by the Grand Duke and the cabinet, which consists of several other ministers.
­ Legislative power is vested in the Chamber of Deputies, a unicameral legislature of sixty members, who are directly elected to five-year terms from four constituencies.
­ Judicial power has three lower tribunals, two district tribunals and a Superior Court of Justice.

Year Entered the European Union
· In March 25, 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union).

Representative of the European Union (include party)
· BRAUN Christian: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative

· EISENBARTH Michèle: Deputy Permanent Representative

· PRANCHERE-TOMASSINI Michèle: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to the WEU and PSC Representative.

Type of Economy
· Luxembourg's stable, high-income economy features moderate growth, low inflation, and low unemployment.

· The industrial sector, which was dominated until the 1960s by steel, has diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products.

· Services, especially banking and other financial exports, account for the majority of economic output.

· Luxembourg is the world's second largest investment fund center.

· Agriculture is based on small, family-owned farms.

· Luxembourg possesses the eighteenth highest Human Development Index, and the fourth highest rated in the quality of life index.

Currency
· Euro (€)

Current Exchange rate for American Currency
· 1 Euro = 1.3561 U.S. Dollars/ 19.2182 MXN (peso)

GDP
· Luxembourg possesses the highest GDP per capita in the world (US$87,995 as of 2006).

Percentage of Trade within the European Union
· Luxembourg has especially close trade and financial ties to Belgium and the Netherlands, and as a member of the EU it enjoys the advantages of the open European market.

Unemployment Rate
· As of March 2006, unemployment is 4.8% of the labor force.

Chief Exports
· Machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass.
· US$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000).

Key Imports
· Minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods.
· US$10 billion (c.i.f., 2000).

Major Religions
· Currently, religions covered by such arrangements are Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Greek Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Russian Orthodoxy, Protestantism and Islam.

· It is estimated by the CIA Factbook that 87% of Luxembourgers are Catholics, the remaining 13% being made up of Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims and those of other or no religion.

Surrounding Countries
· To the east, Luxembourg borders the German Bundesländer of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, and, to the south, it borders the French région of Lorraine.

· It borders the Belgian Walloon Region, to the west and to the north respectively.

Literacy Rate
· Age 15 and over can read and write:
· Total population: 100%
­ Male: 100%
­ Female: 100% (2000 est.)

One Interesting Fact
· It is one of the smallest countries in Europe as well as the world.

· Luxembourg is one of the founding members of the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, Benelux and the Western European Union.

· Has three official languages: French, German and Luxembourgish.

by: Carla Millán

The European Union

Austria

Year Founded: The origins of Austria date back to the ninth century, when the territory of Upper and Lower Austria became increasingly populated. The name "Ostarrichi" is first documented in an official document from 996.

Population: Austria's population estimate in October 2006 was 8,292,322. The population of the capital, Vienna, exceeds 1.6 million (2.2 million with suburbs) , representing about a quarter of the country's population and is known for its vast cultural offerings and high standard of living.

Language: The mother tongue of the population by prevalence, is German (88.6%) followed by Turkish (2.3%) , Serbian (2.2%) , Croatian (1.6%) , Hungarian (0.5%) and Bosnian (0.4%)

Ethnic Make-up: An estimated 13,000 to 40,000 Slovenes in the Austrian state of Carinthia (the Carinthian Slovenes) as well as Croats (around 30,000)^[51] and Hungarians in Burgenland were recognized as a minority and have enjoyed special rights following the Austrian State Treaty (Staatsvertrag) of 1955.

Political System: Austria became a federal,parliamentarian, democratic republic through the Federal Constitution of 1920.

The head of state is the Federal President, who is directly elected by popular vote. The chairman of the Federal Government is the Federal Chancellor, who is appointed by the president. The government can be removed from office by either a presidential decree or by vote of no confidencein the lower chamber of parliament, the Nationalrat.

Year Entered the European Union: Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 1955, and joined the European Union in 1995.

Representative of the European Union: Austria is a parliamentary representative democracy comprising nine federal states. The major parties SPÖ and ÖVP have contrary opinions about the future status of Austria's military neutrality: While the SPÖ supports a neutral role, the ÖVP argues for stronger integration into the EU's security policy.

Type of Economy: Austria is one of the 10 richest countries in the world in terms of GDP (Gross domestic product) per capita, has a well-developed social market economy, and a high standard of living. Until the 1980s, many of Austria's largest industry firms were nationalised; in recent years, however, privatisation has reduced state holdings to a level comparable to other European economies. Labour movements are particularly strong in Austria and have large influence on labour politics. Next to a highly-developed industry, international tourism is the most important part of the national economy.

Currency: In Austria, the euro was introduced in 2002. As a preparation for this date, the minting of the new euro coins started as early as 1999, however all Austrian euro coins introduced in 2002 have this year on it; unlike other countries of the Eurozone where mint year is minted in the coin.

Before adopting the Euro in 2002 Austria had maintained use of the Austrian schilling which was first established in December 1924.

Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3561 U.S. Dollars/ 19.2182 MXN (peso)

GDP: 2008 Estimate 371.219 billon, Per capita: 44,851 (IMF)

Percentage of Trade within the European Union: --Not information yet--

Unemployment Rate: 3.7% (2008 est.)

Chief Exports: Machinery and equipment, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, and foodstuffs.

Key Imports: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products, and foodstuffs.

Major Religions: At the end of the twentieth century, about 74% of Austria's population were registered as Roman Catholic,^[53] while about 5% considered themselves Protestants. About 12% of the population declare that they have no religion, around 340,000 are registered as members of various Muslim communities, About 180,000 are members of Eastern Orthodox Churches, more than 20,000 are active Jehovah's Witnesses^[54] and about 8,100 are Jewish.

Surrounding Countries: It borders both Germany and the Czech Republic to the north,Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland andLiechtenstein to the west.

Literacy Rate: 99.0%

Interesting Facts: 

-About half of Austrian men are overweight, while around one-fifth of Austrian women are overweight.

-Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria.

-Austrian flag is one of the oldest national flags in the world.

Defyin Genocyde

Second & Third Set

1. What role did the international community play during the genocide?
During the genocide, the international community seemed far away, and they had a feeling that the UN protected them, but when it started they abandoned them.

2. Does the international community have the responsibility of assisting countries threatened by genocide?
Yes, and they should try on making agreements between nations.

3. How can students get involved and make their voices heard against genocide?
I think that we all need to inform ourselvels about genocide, and in schools there should be groups that study obout it or just in class could be a way on how we can inform ourselves and join websites, and try to come up on ideas on how to help.

4. Have you ever witnessed an incident by which a bystander took the responsibility of offering assistance to someone in need of help? What happened?Yes, I have, at my old shool a friend of mine started to look pael everyone got scared including our teacher and then he started to convulse so a group of ma friends and me took him to the school nurse and the nurse didn't know what to do so imidiatly she called 911 and an ambulance came right away.


5. When someone needs help, do bystanders have the responsibility to offer assistance? What do bystanders risk when they intervene and when they do not get involved?
They don't have to but they do it cause its the right thing to do, bystanders like doctors or nurses they do it not because its their job but because is right thing to do.The bigest risk they take is that if they don't help in the right time the person might get worst then how it is, and when they don't that person could have survive, cause his/her help might have done a big difference on the destiny of that person.