Norðurlöndin

Norðurlöndin, in Icelandic, refers to the Nordic countries of Northern Europe: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The term often extends to associated autonomous territories such as Greenland (an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark), the Faroe Islands (also Danish autonomous territory), and Åland (an autonomous region of Finland). The region covers a wide geographic range, from Arctic coasts to temperate zones, and is known for its long maritime heritage and strong welfare traditions.

Historically linked by early medieval kingdoms and later close institutional cooperation, the Nordic countries have developed a distinctive model of social welfare, public services, and labor markets. Cooperation is institutionalized through the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers. In political terms, several Nordic states are EU members (Denmark, Finland, Sweden), while Norway and Iceland participate in the European Economic Area. All five participate in Schengen agreements, enabling visa-free travel across most of Europe, and share strong cross-border ties in trade, science, and culture.

The Nordic economies are highly developed, with high living standards and robust social safety nets. Key sectors include services, manufacturing, and technology, with Norway leveraging oil and gas, Sweden and Finland focusing on industrial innovation, Denmark on agriculture and energy, and Iceland on fisheries and tourism. The population is around 27 million, with languages including Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish; regional languages and minority languages such as Sami are also recognized. The Nordic model emphasizes egalitarian policies, high education levels, and inclusive economic growth.