r Force (Flygvapnet)

Military service age and obligation:
19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service
obligation - 7-17 months depending on conscript role; after
completing initial service soldiers have a reserve commitment until
the age of 47 (2004)

Manpower available for military service:
males age 19-49: 1,838,427 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
males age 19-49: 1,493,668 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males: 58,724 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$5.729 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Sweden

Disputes - international:
none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Switzerland

Introduction Switzerland

Background:
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance
among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined
the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence
from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Switzerland's sovreignty and
neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and
the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The
political and economic integration of Europe over the past half
century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international
organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its
neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN
member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and
international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to
neutrality.

Geography Switzerland

Location:
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Geographic coordinates:
47 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total: 41,290 sq km
land: 39,770 sq km
water: 1,520 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Land boundaries:
total: 1,852 km
border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,
Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy
winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Terrain:
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Ju