Nordic Countries Map
The Nordic countries occupy the northernmost part of Europe, stretching from Iceland in the Atlantic to Finland bordering Russia. These five nations share deep historical and cultural ties, yet each has a distinct geography — from Denmark's flat lowlands to Norway's dramatic fjords and Iceland's volcanic landscape.
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Study the Countries
Denmark Denmark
Borders: Germany
Area: 43,094 km² · Coastline: 7,314 km
Denmark is the southernmost Nordic country, consisting of the Jutland Peninsula and over 400 islands, of which Zealand and Funen are the largest. It is bordered by Germany to the south and surrounded by the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The terrain is mostly flat with gently rolling plains.
Shape: A small peninsula extending northward from Germany, with several large islands to the east.
Fun Facts
- Denmark has the oldest continuously used national flag in the world (the Dannebrog).
- No point in Denmark is more than 52 km from the sea.
- Denmark connects to Sweden via the Oresund Bridge, one of the longest combined road-rail bridges in Europe.
Finland Finland
Borders: Sweden, Norway, Russia
Area: 338,455 km² · Coastline: 1,250 km
Finland is located in northeastern Europe between Sweden to the west, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east. The country is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" — it actually has about 188,000 lakes. The terrain is mostly flat to gently undulating with thick forests covering about 75% of the land.
Shape: An elongated country shaped somewhat like a raised arm, stretching north from the Gulf of Finland.
Fun Facts
- Finland has approximately 188,000 lakes, more lakes per capita than any other country.
- About 75% of Finland is covered by forest, making it Europe's most forested country.
- Finland shares its longest border with Russia at 1,340 km.
Iceland Iceland
Area: 103,000 km² · Coastline: 4,970 km
Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, situated between Greenland and Norway on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It has no land borders. The landscape is dramatically shaped by volcanic activity and glaciation, featuring geysers, lava fields, hot springs, and massive glaciers including Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier by volume.
Shape: A compact, roughly oval island in the North Atlantic, noticeably separated from mainland Europe.
Fun Facts
- Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, with the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pulling apart beneath it.
- About 11% of Iceland is covered by glaciers.
- Iceland has over 30 active volcanic systems and averages an eruption every 4-5 years.
Norway Norway
Borders: Sweden, Finland, Russia
Area: 385,207 km² · Coastline: 25,148 km
Norway occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, stretching from the North Sea in the south far above the Arctic Circle in the north. It is bordered by Sweden along its entire eastern edge, and by Finland and Russia in the far northeast. Norway is famous for its deeply indented western coastline, carved into thousands of fjords by glacial activity.
Shape: A very long, narrow country running along the western edge of the Scandinavian Peninsula, wider in the south and tapering northward.
Fun Facts
- Norway's coastline, including fjords and islands, stretches over 25,000 km — one of the longest in the world.
- The northernmost point of mainland Norway (Nordkapp) is further north than most of Iceland.
- Norway shares its longest border with Sweden at about 1,630 km.
Sweden Sweden
Borders: Norway, Finland
Area: 450,295 km² · Coastline: 3,218 km
Sweden is the largest of the Nordic countries by area, occupying the eastern side of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is bordered by Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the northeast. The country stretches from temperate southern farmland to subarctic wilderness in the north, with a long Baltic Sea coastline to the east.
Shape: A long, elongated country forming the eastern half of the Scandinavian Peninsula, wider in the south.
Fun Facts
- Sweden is the largest Nordic country and the fifth-largest in Europe by area.
- About 65% of Sweden is covered by forest.
- Sweden has approximately 100,000 lakes and the longest coastline of any Baltic Sea country.
Quick Reference
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About Nordic Geography
The Nordic countries span a vast area of northern Europe from the mid-Atlantic to the Arctic. Despite their northern latitude, the Gulf Stream gives western Scandinavia a milder climate than other regions at similar latitudes. The region is characterized by dramatic landscapes: fjords, volcanoes, glaciers, boreal forests, and thousands of lakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Nordic countries are there?
There are 5 Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Together with their autonomous territories (Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the Aland Islands), they form the Nordic region.
What is the difference between Nordic and Scandinavian?
Scandinavia traditionally refers to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden — the three kingdoms sharing cultural and linguistic roots. The Nordic countries also include Finland and Iceland.
Which Nordic country is the largest?
Sweden is the largest Nordic country by area at approximately 450,295 km², followed by Norway and Finland.