Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields. Massive glaciers are protected in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks. Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, which runs on geothermal power and is home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history.
Population: 338,349 (2017) Eurostat
Currency: Icelandic króna
Ethnic groups (2017): 91% Icelandic; 4% Polish; 5% other
Destinations: Reykjavik, Þingvellir, Jökulsárlón, Vík í Mýrdal,
Finland is a Northern European nation bordering Sweden, Norway and Russia. Its capital, Helsinki, occupies a peninsula and surrounding islands in the Baltic Sea. Helsinki is home to the 18th-century sea fortress Suomenlinna, the fashionable Design District and diverse museums. The Northern Lights can be seen from the country’s Arctic Lapland province, a vast wilderness with national parks and ski resorts.
Population: 5.503 million (2017) Eurostat
Points of interest: Suomenlinna, Santa Claus Village, MORE
Official languages: Finnish, Swedish
Estonia, a country in Northern Europe, borders the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland. Including more than 1,500 islands, its diverse terrain spans rocky beaches, old-growth forest and many lakes. Formerly part of the Soviet Union, it’s dotted with castles, churches and hilltop fortresses. The capital, Tallinn, is known for its preserved Old Town, museums and the 314m-high Tallinn TV Tower, which has an observation deck.
Population: 1.316 million (2017) Statistics Estonia
President: Kersti Kaljulaid
Points of interest: Vanalinn, Lahemaa National Park, Toompea,
Norway is a Scandinavian country encompassing mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. Oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. Preserved 9th-century Viking ships are displayed at Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum. Bergen, with colorful wooden houses, is the starting point for cruises to the dramatic Sognefjord. Norway is also known for fishing, hiking and skiing, notably at Lillehammer’s Olympic resort.
Dialing code: +47
Population: 5.258 million (2017) Eurostat
Currency: Norwegian krone
Points of interest: Lofoten, Preikestolen, Geirangerfjord, Lysefjord,