NORWAY

Norway is situated on the western coast of Scandinavia. It's a very long country, but it's rather skinny in the north, with a width of just 50 miles (80 km) at its narrowest. Norway may seem far up north, but the warm Gulf Stream prevents its extensive coastline from ever freezing over. Large mountain ranges dominate the landscape, and the country's many lakes and islands give it a unique aquatic landscape. A large percentage of the population is employed in manufacturing sectors such the offshore oil and gas industry, shipbuilding, and mining. Fishing, logging, and farming only account for roughly 5% of the labor force.

Business in petroleum

Norway became the top oil producer in Europe after the discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea in 1969. Tankers, oil rigs, and refineries all require the labor of thousands of people. Norway today produces all of its own energy and exports the majority of its oil and natural gas to the rest of Europe.

FJORDS

Only three percent of Norway is suitable for farming due to the prevalence of inhospitable mountain ranges and deep lakes. Fjords are long bays that cut into the Norwegian coast, and most farming is located at their head. Fjords were formed as glaciers excavated valleys on their way to the ocean. Small fishing and farming communities have found refuge in the fjords, which serve as natural harbors. Tourists flock to cruise ships so they can take in the breathtaking views.

SKIING

Norway is where skiing began. Here, in a glacier, the first ski bones were found. The word "ski" comes from Norway. During the snowy winter months, many Norwegians find that skiing is the best way to get around. In almost every town in Norway, you can find a ski jump. Cross-country skiing and ski festivals that happen every year are both popular sports.

BUILT OF WOOD, CHURCHES

There are old churches made of logs all over Norway. Instead of horizontal logs, which are used to build log homes, stave churches are made of vertical, curved strips of wood called staves. There isn't a single nail in the building, but it's still strong enough to stand up to heavy snowfall in the winter.

DENMARK

THE LONG AND NARROW Jutland: The peninsula that makes up mainland Denmark stretches from Germany to Norway and Sweden. East of the peninsula, there are more than 100 islands that make up the rest of the country. Denmark is the most southern country in Scandinavia. It is also one of the flattest places in the world. Like its neighbors, it has a stable government and a high standard of living. Industry has grown a lot, and now one-third of the people who work do so in small businesses.

COPENHAGEN

Sjaelland is where you'll find Copenhagen, the Danish capital. It's the most major financial center in Denmark and the largest city in Scandinavia. Walking down historical lanes and pedestrianized streets will lead you to historic churches, bustling marketplaces, and a canal network. Many people of this city commute to their vacation homes using bike lanes.

ARCHITECTURE

Like the rest of the Nordic countries, Denmark's buildings have earned international acclaim. Danish architecture is known for its use of local materials like cement, brick, and wood to create beautiful buildings that blend in with their environments. There have been many developments of new homes built, with each one outfitted with solar panels and insulation to reduce energy waste. Furniture, glassware, cookware, and ceramics all benefit from Denmark's emphasis on design.

BREEDING PIGS AND GOAT FOR MILK

Well-known worldwide are Denmark's cooperative movements. Today's farmers have had to work closely together to keep up with the technological advances of modern agriculture. Establishing cooperatively owned dairies and bacon processing facilities, with an emphasis on expanding their market abroad, is a key part of their strategy.

The author HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was one of the first to create well-known fairy tales. He published his first collection in 1835. He composed around 160 stories, including The Snow Queen and The Ugly Duckling.

LEGOLAND

In the 1930s, a Jutland-based carpenter devised "Legos," the colorful interconnecting building blocks designed for children. Jutland is currently home to the enormous Legoland amusement park, where every structure is made of Legos. The name "Lego" derives from the Danish words leg and godt, which together mean "play well."

DANISH ROYAL BALLET

The Royal Danish Ballet is one of the world's oldest and best-known ballet companies, having been established in 1748 with the creation of the Royal Theater in Copenhagen. August Bournonville (1805-1879), who directed the company from 1828 until his death and choreographed more than 50 ballets, is largely responsible for its fame.

SWEDEN

The landscape of Sweden, which is sandwiched between Norway and Finland, varies greatly from the arctic north to the verdant south, which is home to the vast bulk of Sweden's relatively small population. Because of its robust industrial history and highly skilled labor force, Sweden is widely regarded as one of the most technologically proficient manufacturing countries in the world. Sweden, much like its neighboring countries, is a prosperous nation that places a great importance on ensuring that all members of society have equal rights.

WELFARE IN SOCIETY

Because of its extremely low population, Sweden is at the forefront of the social welfare movement, and the country's government is able to easily provide for all of its citizens. Facilities for the sick and elderly, as well as excellent care for children. The unemployment rate has been consistently close to its historical low. However, in order for the government to be able to provide these advantages, it needs to impose a significant tax. In addition, the current state of the economy has caused some of the advantages to be in jeopardy.

CONSERVATION

The preservation of the natural world is something that the Swedes care much about. This incorporates not only their historic buildings but also the countryside in the surrounding area. There are many natural reserves in Sweden, including some of the largest national parks in Europe, which are located in the hilly north of the country. The poisoning of water sources is a major worry for many people, and Sweden is currently in the vanguard of efforts to clean up the Baltic Sea. It has also impeded the establishment of industry in a number of municipalities located along the shore. Every day, efforts are made to reduce resource consumption, and the recycling infrastructure in Sweden is among the most advanced in the world (right).

DESIGN

It is well knowledge that Sweden is the origin of minimalist design, which is then emulated all around the world. In the 1960s, Swedish designers started making a name for themselves internationally. The automobile industry, the electrical equipment industry, the textile industry, and the furniture industry have all profited from good design, which has helped to increase each of these product categories' marketability.

SUMMER HOMES

This rich nation is replete with mansions that are used mostly for vacation. Cottages made of wood and painted red are commonly found in areas such as river valleys, lakeshores, and beaches. They offer the ideal getaway for city dwellers on the weekend or during their vacation. When families aren't using their vacation homes, they typically rent them out to family, friends, or one of the ever-increasing number of visitors who visit Sweden.

SMÖRGASBORD

The smorgasbord is comprised of a great deal more than just a plate of sandwiches. In most contexts, it refers to a massive spread of mouthwatering cold foods, such as herrings doused in mustard sauce, a variety of cheeses, meats, and salads.

FINLAND

Finland, or "SUOMI" as the Finns call it, is the northernmost sovereign nation on Earth. If you were to fly over this area, you'd see a breathtaking pattern of woodland, swamp, vast lakes, and islands scattered across the lakes and along the shoreline. You'll find pine, spruce, and birch trees dominating the landscape, and snow may remain on the ground for as much as half the year. After decades under Swedish rule, Finland became a part of Russia in the early 19th century and remained so until it gained independence in 1917. Finland's distinct language and culture set it apart from its Scandinavian neighbors.

LAPLAND

You may find Lapland in the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Sami, also known as Lapps, are the indigenous people of this region. They speak their own language and have their own traditions. Keeping reindeer for food and milk is a source of income for some communities. Nonetheless, they are rapidly abandoning their traditional way of life. Because of his reputation as Santa Claus's residence, thousands of children send letters to Lapland every year.

HELSINKI

Despite being surrounded by water on three sides, the Finnish capital of Helsinki has a spacious, open feel. A bustling open-air market offering seafood, local produce, and decorative plants and flowers may be found in its picturesque waterfront. There are many interesting new structures in the city, all of which have been designed to blend in with the older ones to create a unique national identity.

LOGGING INDUSTRY

This heavily wooded nation has a substantial lumber industry, with Finland and Sweden being the leading producers of pine and spruce in Europe, respectively. The lumber is transported via truck to the processing companies, where it is boiled down to a pulp before being packaged for shipment. While the wood alcohol that is produced is put to use in a wide number of chemical processes, the pulp that is extracted from the trees is put to use in the production of plywood, board, and paper. The combustion of sawdust, bark, and waste results in the production of electricity.

The first recorded use of a sauna was in Finland. For countless centuries, Finns have taken use of these steam baths, and today, the vast majority of homes in Finland are equipped with at least one. A sauna is a tiny room that is heated to very high temperatures and is used as a place for people to relax and cleanse their bodies. On occasion, they will hurl water over stones that have been heated, which will result in clouds of vapor filling the atmosphere as the water crackles and spits. The majority of households go to the sauna together once a week.

The British Isles, which are also known as Great Britain and Ireland, can be found hidden away in the far northwest corner of Europe. There are four countries that make up the United Kingdom: Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The remaining parts of Ireland are capable of existing on their own. In times past, the entire island of Ireland was ruled by England, a predominantly Protestant nation. As a direct consequence of this, the Catholic Irish were driven to wrath, and in 1922, the southern region of Ireland declared its independence. Despite the fact that Ireland is predominately rural and the United Kingdom is largely urbanized, both countries share a robust sense of identity that originates from the fact that they are both island states.

ISLAND OF AMERGARD

The name "Emerald Isle" was given to Ireland because of the country's temperate climate and high levels of humidity, both of which encourage the growth of thick, verdant grass. Dairy products and meat are major exports in a region that has traditionally relied on agriculture as its primary industry. This grassland is a fantastic site for cattle to graze, thus dairy products and beef are important exports. Because of its breathtaking landscape, particularly the wild and untamed west coast, Ireland is a well-known destination for tourists.

LANDSCAPE

The British Isles contain a wide variety of landscapes while being a relatively compact territory. The towering, craggy mountains of northern England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland provide a striking contrast to the low, marshy Fens of East Anglia and the rolling green fields of southern England. About three-quarters of the land is used for farming, and the types of crops that can be grown there are contingent on the local topography and temperature.