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 (rake-ya-vick).

• Recently Iceland economy has suffered major issues.

• The literacy rate in Iceland is 100%