The Nordic Nations
Chp 6, Section 4
Nordic Nations
• The Nordic Nations make up the northernmost part of Europe.
• They are also known as Scandinavia.• They include: Norway, Sweden, Finland,
Denmark, and Iceland.• They have traditionally enjoyed some of the
highest standard of livings in the world.
Norway
• Mostly cold climate• 1/3 of Norway lies north
of the Arctic Circle• Called the Land of the
Midnight Sun because the sun never sets in the midsummer months
• In midwinter months, the sun never rises
Norway
• A mild climate is found along the southern and western coasts due to thewarm winds from the North Atlantic currents• Most of Norway’s population lives along these
coasts
Norway
• Norway has both oil and natural gas resources
• Another important resource is fish.
• Warm ocean currents keep most of Norway’s port’s ice free year round
Norway
• Parliamentary democracy• Norway has a monarchy, but is governed by an
elected prime minister• Norway elected not to join the EU so it could
retain control of it’s environment.
Norway
• The people greatly value their cultural traditions
• Elaborate folk dress is often seen at weddings and festivals
Norway
• ¾ of the population lives in urban centers
• Oslo is the capital city• Skiing and
snowmobiling are popular leisure activities
Sweden
• Abundant natural resources: Iron ore, dense forests
• Exports: machinery, cars, paper products, wood, and electronics.
• Only 8% of Sweden's land can be used for farming
Sweden
• Sweden’s wealth has enabled it to be a welfare state.
• Sweden is a constitutional monarchy
• Member of EU
Sweden
• Most of Sweden's population lives in cities in the Southern lowlands.
• Stockholm is the capital and largest city.
Finland
• Wealth comes from huge forests of spruce, pine, and birch wood.
• Paper and wood products are their major exports
• Joined the EU in 1995
Finland
• The Finn’s ancestors are thought to have migrated from Siberia.
• Their language and culture differs from the other Nordic nations
• Most Finn’s live in cities on the southern coast
Finland
• Helsinki is the capital and has a population of around 1 million people
• Cities try to keep the small town feel by having no skyscrapers
• Finn’s enjoy cross-country skiing and saunas
Denmark• Most of Denmark is
located on a peninsula called Jutland.
• Farm products include butter, cheese, bacon, and ham.
• Royal Copenhagen porcelain is famous around the world
• The Danes also invented Legos
Denmark
• 5.4 million people• Parliamentary
democracy with a monarch as head of state
• Elected officials run the country
• Joined the EU in 1993
Denmark
• Copenhagen is the capital and largest city
• Also home to one of the worlds most famous statues called the Little Mermaid (a character from a Hans Christian Anderson story)
Iceland
• Iceland was ruled by Denmark for hundreds of years so Danish is still widely spoken there
• Known for it’s glaciers and geysers
• Use geothermal energy to heat homes and other buildings
Iceland
• Iceland is home to more than 200 volcano’s .
• These volcano's heat the hot springs that makes geothermal energy possible.
• Economy depends heavily on fishing
Iceland
• Population of 300,000• Most live in urban areas• Over half live in the
capital city of Reykjavik.• Recently Iceland
economy has suffered major issues.
• The literacy rate in Iceland is 100%