To understand, it's enough to just look at a map. Sweden is the fifth-largest country in Europe -- bigger than Germany -- stretching 1,600 kilometers north to south and with a coastline twice as long.

As Sweden enters the U.S.-led alliance, NATO's arsenal will see an increase. Here's a look at the alliance in maps and graphics.

The flag of Sweden is raised at NATO headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia on March 11, 2024. Sweden set aside decades of post-World War II neutrality when it formally joined NATO on March 7.