People living in Sweden generally belong to which broad racial or ethnic group?

Introduction / Context:
Older geography and anthropology textbooks sometimes classify people into broad racial or ethnic groups based on physical traits and historical origins. While modern science emphasises the unity of the human species and stresses that race categories are social constructs, some examination questions still refer to these traditional groupings. Sweden is a Scandinavian country in northern Europe, and this question asks which broad group its people are usually placed in under that older classification system.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The country mentioned is Sweden, located in northern Europe.
• Options for broad racial or ethnic group are Mediterranean, Alpine, Nordic, and Mongoloid.
• We are following traditional geographical terminology used in some school level exams.
• We assume that the classification is based mainly on European sub groups.

Concept / Approach:
Traditional European classifications separated inhabitants into types such as Mediterranean, Alpine, and Nordic based on height, hair colour, and region of residence. The Nordic group was typically associated with tall, fair skinned, light haired populations of northern Europe, especially Scandinavia. Since Sweden is a Scandinavian country, its people are generally described in this old framework as belonging to the Nordic group. The Mediterranean group is associated with southern Europe, the Alpine with central Europe, and Mongoloid with East and Central Asia rather than Scandinavia.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Sweden location on the map as part of Scandinavia in northern Europe. Step 2: Recall that the traditional Nordic group refers to people from Scandinavia, including Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, characterised in older texts by fair complexion and tall stature. Step 3: Recognise that the Mediterranean group is more related to southern European countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece. Step 4: Recognise that the Alpine group is usually connected with people from central Europe, including parts of the Alps region. Step 5: Recognise that the Mongoloid group is associated with East Asian and some Central Asian populations, not with Sweden. Step 6: Therefore, select Nordic as the correct broad group for people living in Sweden in this older classification system.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you consult older geography or anthropology references that still use these categories, they generally list the Nordic or Northern type as typical of Scandinavia. Maps and descriptive texts often mention that Nordic populations are concentrated in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and parts of surrounding areas. This is a traditional view that appears in many exam oriented textbooks, confirming that Nordic is the answer expected in such questions. Modern sources emphasise that all humans share a common genetic heritage, but they still describe Scandinavia as a Nordic region culturally and historically.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mediterranean refers to populations around the Mediterranean Sea in southern Europe and parts of North Africa, not to northern European Sweden. Alpine is a traditional label for central European groups and mountainous regions and is not the primary label typically applied to the Swedish population. Mongoloid is an old term for East and Central Asian populations and is not used to describe native populations of Sweden.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may feel uncertain because these traditional racial categories are less emphasised today. They may also confuse Mediterranean with any European group or think Alpine covers all of Europe. The simplest way to remember the expected exam answer is to link Scandinavia with Nordic. When faced with such questions, always consider the geographical location first and then match it with the historical classification used in older textbooks, while remembering the limitations of such groupings.

Final Answer:
People living in Sweden are generally classified in traditional geography as belonging to the Nordic group.