Scandinavia makes up the northernmost part of western Europe, extending into the Arctic. They include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Åland and in most definitions Greenland, as there are long-standing political and linguistic ties.
These neighbors share a common heritage dating back at least to the Viking Age, with several unions in the past and close cooperation today. At almost 1.2 million square kilometers (463,000 square miles), the Nordic countries form one of the largest regions in Europe, but are home to only around 24 million people, accounting for a mere 4% of its population. The Nordic countries contain some of Europe's greatest natural wonders and boast an excellent standard of living.
