Northern Europe

Like most of Europe, there is no clear demarcation of the countries that fit into Northern Europe and many variations exist. However, the United Nations geoscheme places 10 countries in Northern Europe, from the five Scandinavian countries to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Iceland, along with 7 dependent areas like the Isle of Man, Faroe Islands, and Jersey.
Northern Europe with its wide expanse of wilderness, forests, lakes, and volcanoes, enshrined by the mystical northern lights epitomizes all that the great outdoors should be. Some of Europe’s best hiking trails are located in this scenic expanse of land which also has some breathtakingly beautiful coastline. Winter transforms the verdant green into thick carpets of snow, giving rise to some of the best skiing sites in the world. Most countries in this part of Europe have developed economies and their cities are shining examples of the high standards of living. Some of the cleanest cities in the world such as Copenhagen and Stockholm are located in Northern Europe where green sustainable living is a way of life. Despite the long depressing winters, Northern Europe also has some of the happiest cities in the world, with Reykjavik, Helsinki, and Bergen featuring in this list.