The Nordic Countries, often referred to as Nordic Region, are a geographical and cultural region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, comprising of:
The term "Nordic" has its roots in the historical term Norse people, which refers to the early inhabitants of Scandinavia. Over time, the term has evolved to include not only the original Scandinavian countries but also Finland and Iceland due to shared cultural, historical, and political ties.
The Nordic Council, established in 1952, is an organization for cooperation between the Nordic countries. It promotes regional policy-making and facilitates free movement within the region, similar to the European Union but with deeper integration in some aspects like passport-free travel and mutual defense agreements.
These countries are often noted for their:
They are also known for their commitment to:
The cultural identity of the Nordic countries is diverse yet unified by several common threads: