1. The Nordic Nations Chp 6, Section 4

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Norway A mild climate is found along the southern and western coasts due to the warm winds from the North Atlantic currents Most of Norway’s population lives along these coasts

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Norway The people greatly value their cultural traditions Elaborate folk dress is often seen at weddings and festivals

8. Norway ¾ of the population lives in urban centers Oslo is the capital city Skiing and snowmobiling are popular leisure activities

9. 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

10. Sweden Sweden’s wealth has enabled it to be a welfare state. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy Member of EU

11. Sweden Most of Sweden's population lives in cities in the Southern lowlands. Stockholm is the capital and largest city.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Denmark 5.4 million people Parliamentary democracy with a monarch as head of state Elected officials run the country Joined the EU in 1993

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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%