History

• Denmark is one of the world's oldest monarchies, dating back over 1,000 years.
• The Viking Age (8th–11th century) saw Danish Vikings explore, trade, and raid across Europe.
• Denmark was a major European power in the 16th and 17th centuries, controlling parts of Scandinavia and the Baltic.
• It remained neutral during both World Wars but was occupied by Nazi Germany from 1940–1945.
• Today, Denmark is a stable democracy with a strong welfare system.

 More information: Britannica - Denmark History

Geography

• Denmark consists of the Jutland Peninsula and 443 named islands, the largest being Zealand and Funen.
• The country has a temperate maritime climate, with mild winters and cool summers.
• It shares a land border with Germany and is connected to Sweden via the Øresund Bridge.
• Denmark has an extensive coastline and is known for its flat landscapes and rolling farmlands.

 More information: National Geographic - Denmark

Culture & Society

• Denmark is known for its hygge (coziness and well-being) lifestyle.
• It ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world due to its strong social welfare system.
• The country is a leader in sustainability and renewable energy.
• Traditional Danish cuisine includes smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches) and pastries like wienerbrød.
• Denmark has a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Margrethe II as the head of state.

History

• Norway has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, with early settlers living along the coast.
• The Viking Age (8th–11th century) saw Norwegian Vikings explore, raid, and settle across Europe.
• Norway was part of a union with Denmark (1380–1814) and later Sweden (1814–1905) before gaining full independence.
• The country remained neutral in World War I but was occupied by Nazi Germany from 1940–1945.
• Today, Norway is a prosperous, democratic nation with a strong welfare state.

 More information: Britannica - Norway History

Geography

• Norway is known for its dramatic landscapes, including fjords, mountains, and coastal islands.
• It is the northernmost Scandinavian country, covering 385,207 km².
• The country experiences a varied climate, from temperate in the south to Arctic in the north.
• It shares borders with Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

More information: National Geographic - Norway

Culture & Society

• Norway values egalitarianism, outdoor life (friluftsliv), and sustainability.
• It ranks among the world’s happiest countries, thanks to its high quality of life.
• The Norwegian Constitution, adopted in 1814, is one of the oldest in the world.
• Traditional Norwegian food includes rakfisk (fermented fish) and klippfisk (dried cod).
• Norway has a constitutional monarchy, with King Harald V as the head of state.

History

• Finland has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, with early settlers relying on fishing, hunting, and agriculture.
• It was part of the Swedish Kingdom from the 12th century until 1809, when it became an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian Empire.
• Finland declared independence from Russia in 1917, followed by a civil war between the Reds and Whites in 1918.
• The country fought the Soviet Union in the Winter War (1939–1940) and the Continuation War (1941–1944) during World War II.
• Today, Finland is a stable, democratic nation known for its strong welfare state and high standard of living.

Geography

• Finland is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," with over 180,000 lakes and vast forests covering most of the country.
• It spans 338,455 km², making it the eighth-largest country in Europe.
• The climate varies from temperate in the south to subarctic in the north, with long, cold winters.
• Finland shares borders with Sweden, Norway, and Russia.

Culture & Society

• Finland values equality, education, and a close connection to nature (everyman's right or jokamiehenoikeus).
• It ranks among the happiest countries in the world, with a high quality of life and strong social services.
• The Finnish language is part of the Uralic family, making it distinct from Scandinavian languages.
• Traditional Finnish foods include karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pasties) and kalakukko (fish pie).
• Finland is a parliamentary republic, with President Alexander Stubb as the head of state

Fun fact: According to the 2025 World Happiness Report Finald has been named the happiest country in the world for the 8th year in a row

History

• Iceland was settled by Norse Vikings in the late 9th century A.D., with Ingólfr Arnarson establishing Reykjavík around 874.
• The Althing, one of the world’s oldest parliaments, was founded in 930 at Þingvellir.
• Iceland became part of the Norwegian crown in 1262 and later entered into a union with Denmark in 1397.
• The country gained full independence from Denmark on June 17, 1944, establishing the Republic of Iceland.
• Today, Iceland is a modern, prosperous nation known for its strong emphasis on human rights and gender equalit

Geography

• Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Arctic Circle, covering approximately 103,000 km².
• Known as the "Land of Fire and Ice," it features glaciers and active volcanoes, including Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 2010.
• The island’s interior consists mainly of plateaus, lava fields, mountains, and glaciers, while most of the population lives along the coast.
• Iceland’s climate is tempered by the Gulf Stream, resulting in milder temperatures than other regions at similar latitudes.

Culture & Society

• Icelandic culture is deeply rooted in Norse heritage, with a strong literary tradition dating back to the medieval sagas.
• The country values literature highly, with one in ten Icelanders publishing a book in their lifetime.
• Traditional Icelandic cuisine includes dishes like hákarl (fermented shark) and skyr (a dairy product similar to yogurt).
• Iceland is a parliamentary republic, with the president serving as the head of state and the prime minister as the head of government.