Nordic countries


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Guide for dating in Nordic countries helps you to meet the best girls. This dating guide gives you tips how to date Nordic women. You will learn rules where and how to flirt with local Nordic girls. We advise how to move from casual dating to the relationship and find the real love. We also tell the best dating sites in Nordic countries. In this article below you will find more information where to meet and date girls in Nordic countries, Europe.

A group of hot girls partying at the Hive club in Copenhagen


Girls in Nordic countries:

  • Looks of girls: 4 - 4.5 / 5
  • Attitude of girls: 3 - 4.5 / 5
  • Loyalty of girls: 3 - 4 / 5
  • Education level of girls: 3 - 4.5 / 5

Dating in Nordic countries:

  • Chance of arranging dates: 2.5 - 3.5 / 5
  • Casual dating culture: 1.5 - 3 / 5
  • Online dating popularity: 2 - 2.5 / 5

Sex in Nordic countries:

  • Women's sexual activity: 3.5 - 4.5 / 5
  • One-night stands: 3.5 - 4 / 5

More about Nordic countries:

  • Nightlife in general: 3. - 4.5 / 5
  • Locals' English level: 3 - 4.5 / 5
  • Budget per day: US$100 - $350
  • Accommodation: US$30 - $250

Dating

The Nordic Countries is a geographical and cultural region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic. The term includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, as well as the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are both parts of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Nordic countries have much in common in their way of life, history, religion and social structure. The Nordic countries have a long history of political unions and other close relations but do not form a singular entity today. The combined area of the Nordic countries is 3,425,804 square kilometers with an estimated population of 28 million.

Nordic girls are reserved, they tend to stick with their group of friends and they are big in equality and feminism so some might take day game as an offense. In some countries, women just don’t know how to say no. They would go out with people they don’t have the slightest interest in. With Nordic women, this is no issue. If she’s still talking to you, it means that she’s interested.

Dating Culture

Dating practices in all Nordic countries are similar to those throughout the English-speaking West. Although serious dating is usually reserved for older teens and young adults, Nordics date early on in their life. Typically, a couple will come to know each other through mutual connections. Common dates include going to the cinema, dining out and attending parties. The selection of one's partner is usually a matter of individual choice. A prospective partner's character is often an important factor. Marrying for financial security or seeking family approval is not common.

Sugar Dating

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Online Dating

Dating in Nordic countries can be a bit tricky due to not knowing if you have a solid connection, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before you venture to the night club or bar, so you can meet a few locals ahead of time. AdultFriendFinder.com lets you meet local members in Nordic countries and get to know them on a personal basis before you meet in person. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting.

Webcam Dating

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Women

Strong progress has been made in the public sector in Nordic countries; in Sweden, more women than men currently hold management positions in this sphere. In politics, 46% of Swedish members of parliament are women, while the proportion in other Nordic countries is around 40%. However, there are still surprisingly few women in senior private sector roles. Just 28% of managers in Denmark are female, rising to 32% in Finland and Norway, and 36% in Sweden. Iceland is the highest-scoring Nordic country, with 40%.

Juggling a career with family life remains a challenge for some women in the Nordics, despite policies like subsidized childcare and flexible working hours encouraging couples to share parenting. While Nordic fathers do take more parental leave than anywhere else in the world, the gender split of parenting labor remains far from equal. In Iceland and Sweden - which have the most generous policies - almost 30% of leave is taken by fathers, while in Norway the figure is just over 19%, and the proportion drops to 11% in Denmark and Finland.

Women in Nordic countries are more likely to hold board seats than women in other European countries, tend to have slightly higher levels of representation in government, and outnumber men in higher education programs, increasing the percentage of women who graduate with a higher level of education than their male classmates.

The Nordic education system is great. Nordic women are very smart and well-read. They are big on reasoning and science over feelings.

Nordic Girls (age 18 - 29)

A dichotomy exists between Nordic girls. At the top end, they are the most stunning women in the world. The second group falls within the average range of attractiveness. They tend to be slightly overweight but with cute faces. There are very few ugly women in Sweden. So, one can argue that the average Nordic girl is fairly attractive. Generically, they have superior looks. Fair-skinned, with proportionate features, Nordic girls who work-out and maximize their appearance, can truly be gorgeous.

It is common to see Nordic girls dress in dark colors. They wear a lot of black and grey clothing with sneakers. Nordic girls are very open to dating men from diverse races. It is fairly common to see dark-skinned men with beautiful blondes.

Nordic girls are not as impressed with money and status like many women in Eastern Europe. Nordic countries are wealthy nations. Most Nordics live a comfortable life. They have well-paying jobs, healthcare, and security. There are very few poor and homeless people. These girls do not look toward men to elevate their lifestyle.

Nordic Women (age 30 - 45)

Nordic women are often described as promiscuous and sexy, which is true. However, they are shy and keep to themselves, so approaching them on the street or at a bar can be very tricky. If you do, you'll probably experience some awkward silences, or babbling from your part as you try to talk for the both of you.

At first glance, Nordic women may seem a bit too serious, but once they get to know you, you will see that they are one of the greatest party lovers you could find. Most of the time you will find them in nightclubs, but they are the biggest fans of after-parties. Chatting up Nordic women will be somewhat easy and pretty fun, but getting a date or even a relationship might be a bit tricky. Although they are very friendly and approachable, getting their number and arranging a date is a completely different scenario.

Nordic Ladies (age 45+)

Despite being incredibly independent and career-oriented, most Nordic ladies want to get married and have children. They were brought up in complete families whether the mother and the father have equal roles in the family dynamic, and that is exactly what they want to achieve with their own families.

And while a typical Nordic lady prefers to take her time before having children, for most of them, the family becomes complete only when there is at least one child. Every Nordic lady seems to have been born with strong natural parenting instincts and skills, which means there is no one better to have your babies than an accomplished and caring Nordic wife.

Foreign Girls (tourists, expats, students, etc.)

As a region, Scandinavia is home to some of the world's most striking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and legendary traditions of anywhere in the world. While the famous aurora borealis is a draw for many, there's more to this vast region than the dramatic night sky. The Nordic countries are some of the most popular destinations for tourists with more than 35 million tourists visiting the countries in a year.

The countries are also popular with foreign students and workers who come to work in the region. The Nordic countries, especially Norway and Denmark have some of the highest standards of living in the world which attracts many foreigners every year.

Sex

Nordic countries have an international reputation for their liberal-minded attitude towards sex, nudity and pornography. Defined mostly by their egalitarian societies, this attitude is shared by both men and women with Sweden having one of the highest proportions of females watching porn.

Sex Culture

Visitors to Nordic countries can be taken aback by the open attitudes towards sex. You can find sex shops in most towns and cities nestled alongside mainstream retail outlets. In Denmark, prostitution has been decriminalized since 1999 with Sweden and Norway simply criminalizing the purchase of sex and not the sale.

One-Night Stands

Scandinavian women have the highest sex drive in the world. Nordic countries are globally recognized for their amazing standards of living - healthcare, salaries, living conditions and career opportunities are among the best in the world. Analysis shows that the more comfortable life is and once these elements have been taken care of, locals feel powerful and sensual - and have the time to indulge and invest in casual sex.

Best Places to Meet Single Girls

According to a recent interactive travel map that has been produced, Nordic countries head the list of the safest countries to visit in the world.

The great outdoors is rarely greater than in Europe's big north. Epic expanses of wilderness – forests, lakes, volcanoes and intoxicatingly pure air mean engaging with nature make a viscerally pleasurable experience. National parks cover the region, offering some of Europe's best hiking as well as anything from kayaking to glacier-walking to bear-watching. Spectacular coasts invite exploration from the sea, whether there be rugged fjords, cliffs teeming with seabirds or archipelagos so speckled with islands it looks like an artist flicked a paintbrush at a canvas. Wildlife from whales to wolverines awaits the fortunate observer.

Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs

  • Kulturhuset, Oslo: One of the best clubs in Nordic Countries, Kulturhuset will greet you with generous space, good vibes and delicious food. Many facets of this hangout make it a perfect fit for every kind of traveler. Other than a full-stacked bar, Kulturhuset boasts of spaces for a library, public speaking and more. If you are visiting it late at night, make sure you go for prior booking as you will stumble upon long queues.
  • Kerubi: Joensuu's best bar-club occupies its island in the Pielisjoki in Finland, linked to the city center by a bridge. DJs spin techno, trance and electronica on Friday and Saturday; live bands and stand-up comedy take place in the adjacent hall Tuesday to Saturday. Fantastic burgers, salads and steaks are served at its restaurant, which opens to a terrace overlooking the island's beach.
  • Ila Brainnstasjon: This Trondheim institution is the best place in the city to see live music (most nights around 9 pm; on Thursdays at 6 pm), but it's a fine little bar-cafe even when nothing's on the bill. We especially love its 2 pm Sunday jazz jam session when local musicians turn up to play – when it works, it's one of our favorite places to be in Trondheim, Norway.
  • Tiirikkala: This cool, contemporary Nordic–style space in Turku, Finland inhabits a gorgeous old wooden house that opens to a street-level terrace and fabulous roof terrace. Unique cocktails and tasty tapas soothe the soul, as does the jazz and blues heading up the weekend live-music program. Weekend brunch is also a highlight.
  • Culture Box: this is considered by many to be the best nightclub in Copenhagen, Denmark. Culture Box is responsible for renouncing the electronic music in the Scandinavian capital. The club is divided into four different bars and areas, each differing with its theme and ambiance. Located right opposite the famous Rosenborg Park, the bars serve the top-notch cocktails.
  • Train: Located in Aarhus city in the east of the peninsula, Train is a good contender for the best nightlife in Denmark. It is situated in an old warehouse but provides the best ambiance any club could offer. It consists totally of three floors and is famous among youngsters as the club is open till sunrise. The food here is up to the mark and the club has a strict minimum age rule which is 23. Weekends are the best time to visit the club as there are several live performances online.
  • Sturecompagniet: It is a renowned guest list nightclub in Stockholm, Sweden. The guests have to pay an entry fee of twenty euros. Likewise, each drinks costs around ten euros. The best time to visit this club is during New Year’s Eve where you can listen to the cool music performed by eminent music artists.
  • John Bull: To experience the vibrant Lund, Sweden nightlife, one should pay a visit to John Bull. It is indisputably one of the top hangouts in Sweden. For an optimum drinking experience, come and explore this place. This 20 years old pub in Lund has been bringing the people of Sweden together to celebrate life.
  • Café Natúr : The city's most atmospheric café pub is the hub of Tórshavn's raucous live scene at weekends. They serve a good range of brews and several great-value bar meals. The recommended if misnamed 'Tortilla' is a filling burrito-and-salad plate.
  • Austur: Austur is both the biggest and oldest nightclub in Reykjavik (Iceland), located on the ground floor along Austurstræti – hence the name. One of the classier venues in town, there are two bars, a large dance floor, plenty of table space and, if you’ve got enough money, the chance to make use of VIP table service and have bottles delivered to your table.
  • Manhattan Nightclub: Nightlife in Nuuk, Greenland starts around midnight especially in the most happening club of the country, the Manhattan Nightclub. The nightclub has a large dance floor and two cocktail bars. Professional bartenders work in the premises and some of the best DJs in the country perform in the summer circuit parties. All the latest international and local numbers are played in the club where one can find themselves grooving to the music in a jam-packed dance floor.

Shopping Malls

Some of the malls in Nordic Countries include:

  • Field's, Ørestad, Denmark
  • Trondheim Torg, Trondheim, Norway
  • Oslo City, Oslo, Norway
  • Aalborg Storcenter, Denmark
  • Skärholmen Centrum, Sweden
  • Kringlan Mall, Reykjavik (Iceland)
  • Nuuk Center;;;, Greenland

Outdoors

Suomenlinna, the ‘fortress of Finland’, straddles a cluster of car-free islands connected by bridges. This Unesco World Heritage site was originally built by the Swedes, as Sveaborg, in the mid-18th century. Visually striking and historically evocative, it offers at least a day's diversions: several museums, bunkers and fortress walls, and Finland's only remaining World War II submarine.

Frederiksborg Slot: One of Denmark's most impressive buildings, this gigantic, Dutch Renaissance–styled fortress-palace in Hillerød rises proudly out of photogenic moat-lake Slotsø. Access is free to the impressive central courtyards and huge, beautifully tended park with baroque gardens. To visit the interiors you'll need around three hours to do justice to the 80-plus rooms overloaded with beautiful furniture, tapestries, endless portraiture and gilded decor of astonishingly pompous grandiosity.

Vatnajökull National Park: Vast, varied and spectacular, Vatnajökull National Park was founded in 2008 when authorities created a mega park by joining the 8300-sq-km Vatnajökull ice cap with two previously established national parks: Skaftafell in southeast Iceland and Jökulsárgljúfur in the northeast. The park measures over 14,100 sq km, occupying approximately 14% of the entire country, and its boundaries encircle a staggering richness of landscapes and some of Iceland's greatest natural treasures.

Situated 349 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is best known for its important role as the base for many major Arctic expeditions since the mid-1800s. The area was first settled in the 13th century as a fishing village, and the industry has been an integral part of life here, contributing to the area's maritime charm. Also a result of its northerly position, Tromsø is a top destination for those hoping to see the spectacular aurora borealis or northern lights.

Ilulissat Ice-fjord: Justifiably Greenland's most visited area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, this amazing berg-strewn section of coast in Disko Bay is where huge glaciers "calve," an expression meaning that icebergs break off from the glaciers and float out into the coastal waters. This is a perfect place, if you're lucky enough to get the timing right, to witness this awe-inspiring natural spectacle, which-unlike other ice-fjords in Greenland-can be watched from the land.

One of Sweden's most famous buildings, the Stockholm City Hall was built between 1911 and 1923, using an astonishing eight million bricks. It is considered one of the finest examples of National Romanticism, designed by architect Ragnar Östberg. The 106-meter-tall tower is topped by three crowns. A very informative tour recounts some of its history, as well as information about the Nobel Prize, which is presented here each year.

Universities and Colleges

Some of the universities and colleges found in the city include:

  • Bergen University College, Norway
  • Nordic University of Science and Technology, Trondheim – Norway
  • University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Aarhus University, Denmark
  • The University of Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Tampere University, Finland
  • Iceland University of the Arts

Relationship

Relationships in Nordic countries can be tricky for foreigners who aren’t familiar with the local culture. It is said that Nordic locals don't date traditionally—they tend to skip the flirting phase and be very direct about their feelings. Of course, when it comes to romance, every person is different, but these tips may prove very helpful for expatriates.

Nordics’ directness has its advantages and its disadvantages. The good part is you almost always know what’s going on. If someone likes you, chances are you’ll know right from the beginning. It’s great—you don’t have to struggle to understand what they’re thinking and, if confused, you can always ask, provided you aren’t afraid of the answer. The awkward part is that expatriates aren't used to that kind of directness and, in some cases, it makes them feel uncomfortable.

Holiday Romance

The beautiful beaches, the warm atmosphere and numerous outdoor activities provide the perfect getaway for a holiday romance. Holidays are a time when we want to get away from everything and go somewhere to unwind from the pressure of work and life. Holidays provide the best opportunity to meet people from different parts of the world.as mentioned earlier. In Nordic countries, your chances of scoring a holiday romance are high if you suggest meeting at a bar. The locals are at their most sociable in bars. While, typically, the people aren’t very talkative with strangers, they will start to loosen up after a drink.

Tips for Successful Relationship

Over time, we assume that our partner knows us so well that we don't need to ask for what we want. What happens when we make this assumption? Expectations are set, and just as quickly, they get deflated. Those unmet expectations can leave us questioning the viability of our partnership and connection. Keep in mind that "asking for what you want" extends to everything from emotional to sexual wants.

Create a weekly ritual to check in with each other. This can be short or long, but it begins by asking each other what worked and didn't work about the previous week and what can be done to improve things this coming week. Additionally, use this opportunity to get on the same page with your schedules, plan a date night, and talk about what you would like to see happen in the coming days, weeks, and months in your relationship.

Unless you have committed to an asexual partnership, sex and touch such as kissing, holding hands, and cuddling are vital components of a romantic relationship. How much sex a couple has is, of course, up to the particular pair of individuals, so you must discuss your ideas about it to manage any desire discrepancy.

Life and work distractions can become paramount in our minds, and that leaves little time or energy for our partner. Barring any emergencies or deadlines, we should be fully present when we are with our mate. We truly hear what they are saying (instead of pretending to listen), we leave our distractions behind, and we don't pick them up again until the sun comes up and we walk out the door. When conflicts inevitably come up, remember to approach them thoughtfully and with a lot of kindness toward your partner and yourself. If you see the stress beginning to escalate during a conversation about a conflict, one or both of you can call a break so that cooler heads can prevail.

Love

The dating process itself is often brief and to the point. There is a local expression that translates to “pacing around the porridge”, which is almost the same as “beating around the bush”. It means that you avoid the issue at hand before getting to the point. The elaborate courtship rituals that you might see in continental Europe are not common at all. Nordic countries are very secular and gender-balanced. Women don’t expect men to pay for dinner. They don’t expect flowers and romantic gestures. You don’t need to prance around for weeks before being accepted by a woman.

Nordic attitude towards sex is also much more relaxed than American. Sex on the first date is kind of the norm.

How to Make Sure She Is the One

Falling in love is fun and beautiful and it is something most if not all of us look forward to. Before you settle for her as your girlfriend, you need to look at the bigger picture and ask yourself if she is someone you’d be comfortable growing old with. You may have had to choose her from many options that were before you so you also need to confirm to yourself that you will love her and no one else. As you settle down to get married to her, you need to ask yourself how you will build your future together.

The girl that you plan to marry should be your best friend. A friend is someone you always look forward to spending time with even when there is nothing to do. She will be ready to drop whatever she is doing and be by your side when you need them. She will understand your fears, joys, doubts and will be ready to listen to you even when you don’t have much to say. If your partner is someone you love spending time with then you can rest confident that she’ll be someone you want to commit to.

The girl for you will make you feel safe at all times. When you are in a relationship with someone, you always want to be comfortable knowing that she only has eyes for you Creating safety, connection, and intimacy in a relationship wires our systems to love deeper. If you’re thinking about marrying someone, it’s crucial you feel that this person is going to stick around.

Togo, like many other African countries, is deeply cultural. When you get married to someone, you not only marry them but you are her family and she is joining your family. Before the two of you get married, you need to have this knowledge in mind. Your girl should be willing to join your family as this relationship will play a very big role in your marriage. If your spouse is constantly fighting with your immediate family, this will put a strain on you as you will be called to always support her against your own family. Likewise, you should be ready to marry into her family with its strengths and flaws.

One of the biggest setbacks in a relationship is the lack of improvement. Making yourself better will always help the relationship thrive. Love depends on two people being willing to grow, change, and become better. When you’re willing and committed to becoming a better man for the person you love – it’s a big sign that you could be happy marrying. Love takes work and if you are both interested in improving then you are that much more likely to have a relationship that makes you both happy.

In addition to your families coming together, she will be interacting with your friends as you will be interacting with her friends. Before the two of you got to know each other, you lived separate lives with your circle of friends and acquaintances. While you may not know all of her friends or her all of your friends, there are those close friends of yours that she will be interested to know just as you will get to know her close friends. This support system helps in keeping each other accountable and understanding each other from a third party perspective.

Marriage

While the Nordic countries share a lot of cultural traits and characteristics, each country has distinct requirements and processes leading to marriage

If one of you is a citizen of another Nordic country, you may, however, choose that this country’s rules concerning marriage should be applied, if you plan to get married in Denmark. To get married in Denmark, you must both have turned 18 years of age and you must both be unmarried. If one of you has previously been married, the previous marriage must have been dissolved before you can remarry. Marriage between close relatives is not permitted, and if one of you is under guardianship, the guardian must consent to the marriage. To get married in Denmark, you must be able to legally enter Denmark and stay here. There are different requirements for entering and staying depending on what country you are from. You do not need to have entered Denmark at the time you apply.

The laws regarding marriage in Iceland changed on February 1, 2013. The new law requires that both partners submit a certificate of marital status issued by the relevant authority in their country, state or region. Although the government of Iceland recognizes that some countries do not issue these certificates, they still require a document issued by the relevant authorities in their country, confirming that there are no impediments to the planned marriage.

In Norway, a marriage may be entered into in a church or civil ceremony. A civil ceremony is usually conducted by an authorized person from the municipality. Also, a civil ceremony may be held at some Norwegian Foreign Service missions. Church weddings may be conducted by a clergyman of the Church of Norway or a priest or minister of a registered religious community. If the wedding is to take place in a religious community, this community must be registered and licensed to perform wedding ceremonies. Couples can also be married by a belief community that is entitled to perform wedding ceremonies. Persons wanting to get married can contact a person authorized to perform wedding ceremonies (civil or church) at the location where they want to get married.

Citizens of all countries may get married in Finland. Marriage can be entered into by anyone who is at least 18 years old and is not already married or in a registered partnership. Marriage is always a voluntary choice, and no one can be pressured or forced into it. For example, parents are not allowed to pressure or force their children into marriage. Forcing someone to marry is a crime in Finland. In Finland, women and men decide for themselves as to who they marry. They are not required to ask for permission, for example, from relatives.

You must be 18 years old to get married in Sweden. This is the law. The law applies to all people in Sweden, even if they are not Swedish citizens. There may be other rules in other countries, but Swedish authorities only approve foreign marriages if they comply with Swedish law. Before you get married, you have to apply for a consideration of impediments to marriage. This is a check to ensure that there is nothing to prevent you from being able to get married. The consideration of impediments to marriage is performed by the Swedish Tax Agency in the county in which you are registered. If there are no impediments, you receive a certificate that is valid for four months. If you or the person you are marrying is not entered on the population register in Sweden, the consideration of impediments to marriage has to be performed in the country in which you or the other person is registered.

Wedding

In Sweden there is no tradition of the father of the bride giving his daughter away to her husband and the bride and groom will typically walk down the aisle together. Swedish weddings tend to drag on a bit due to the number of speeches. The first speech is typically a short toast to the bride during the champagne mingle before the dinner, known as the Brudskål. Then during the dinner, there will often be from eight to 12 speeches, as well as screenings of videos from the bachelor and bachelorette parties, games and songs.

Norwegian couples usually get married in both civil and religious ceremonies. An engagement ring is worn on the left hand. After a wedding ceremony, the ring is worn on the right hand. The local wedding procession is traditionally led by two people playing violins. The bride and groom walk right behind them. She wears a white wedding dress. In some communities, the bride also wears a crown. The groom is usually dressed in a black suit. The groom can be dressed in traditional Norwegian clothes known as "bunad".

Traditional Danish wedding ceremonies often take place in a church, where the bride wears a white dress and the groom a suit. However, some ceremonies take place in a town hall. It is common to have a reception with cake and a beverage after the wedding for all who have come to celebrate. Then afterward the couple has a party for guests only, and sometimes without kids. Those who come to the wedding in a church and the reception, but are not invited to the party with food after the reception, are said to ‘Globryllup’ (in English: stare wedding). It is common and not looked badly upon if you know the bride or groom.

Engagement rings in Finland are traditionally golden. They are worn by both partners. When getting married, only the bride gets a new ring. June, July and August is when weddings are usually held. Saturday is the most popular day for weddings. Most Finns are Lutheran Christians. Apart from the religious ceremony, people in Finland can marry in a civil ceremony too. According to some recent surveys this ceremony is more popular. Whatever the ceremony one thing is a must. The couple must get a marriage certificate that is provided by the state. Some wedding receptions include a tradition where the bride holds a male kid for a few minutes. She does it as there is a belief according to which she will then get many children.

Icelandic weddings today still observe some traditional customs, such as seating by gender and the high table. Modern weddings usually consist of a 30-45 minute ceremony, generally held in a church but outdoor weddings have gained popularity and can be held where a suitable location is found. Offices of magistrates generally have very little room for guests but some do perform the ceremony at the location of the couples choosing. Once the ceremony is over, the couple makes their way up the aisle, followed by their fathers who take their wives in hand from the front pew. The guests then file out in seating order, with those at the front filing out first and then the next row and so on, couples usually walking hand in hand.

Family Life

In Nordic culture, family life is important, but the family structure is diverse and offers differing lifestyles and beliefs from one family to another. In an average family, both parents work. Housework tasks are usually divided amongst the family members without considering age or gender. It is very unusual to have a "stay-at-home-mom" unless the mother is on parental leave. It is common to split the leave between the parents.

The nuclear family is the most common household unit. While the two-parent household with children is still typical, there is a high rate of single-parent households. Many one-person households are usually young adults in urban areas or the elderly. Indeed, most families are now structured less traditionally because many parents have never married, have divorced or have remarried. In terms of child-rearing, most children are raised to view themselves as equal to those around them, and competition is often discouraged.

Nordic countries have the highest proportion of women in the labor force worldwide. This is attributed to both job opportunities in the public sector and the support the government provides to women in the private sector. Within a household, the male and female often share the responsibilities of tending to the house and the children as well as earning money. It is quite uncommon to find a woman that stays in the home with the children and does not participate in the labor force.

Regions

Map of the Nordic countries
Denmark
The smallest Nordic country features hundreds of islands, rolling farmland, endless beaches and a more continental vibe.
Finland
A hundred thousand islands and lakes to explore in this bridge to the east. The most sparsely populated EU country, and the only Nordic country to use the euro, with a North Germanic tongue the first language only of a minority.
Iceland
Spectacular scenery of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls on this North Atlantic island.
Norway (including Svalbard)
Famous for deep fjords, steep mountains, countless waterfalls, wooden churches, the Northern Lights and millennial maritime traditions. Norway's topography and nature have distinctive regional diversity.
Sweden
The largest Nordic country by area and population is home to endless forests, clear blue lakes and the beautiful archipelagos along its coasts.
Faroe Islands
An autonomous territory of Denmark in the Atlantic Ocean with a very distinct culture and sense of national identity. Especially known for its dramatic natural scenery and unique bird life.
Åland
An archipelago and autonomous territory of Finland in the Baltic Sea, where the Swedish-speaking population has its own distinctive culture and sense of quasi-national identity.
  • Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark; geographically part of North America. The indigenous people, the Inuit, are also culturally and linguistically close to native America, but there is a strong modern Nordic influence.

Cities

  • Aarhus — a brilliant Open Air Museum containing historic buildings from towns and cities across Denmark, many from the 1800s
  • Bergen — old Hanseatic trading centre with wonderfully cute wooden buildings, a magnificent mountain setting, varied nightlife and tons of atmosphere
  • Copenhagen — a vast number of offers for cultural experiences, shopping and the inspiration of Danish design traditions. Lately it has become the gastronomical centre of the region, driving the principles of "New Nordic Cuisine" with many great restaurants and bars as a result. Also has picturesque canals, traversed by boat buses.
  • Gothenburg — a port and industrial city on the Swedish west coast, second in size in Sweden
  • Helsinki — the "Daughter of the Baltic", Finland's capital and largest city with its iconic cathedral
  • Oslo — museums of national importance, a beautiful setting, lively nightlife and cultural scene
  • Reykjavik — the northernmost national capital in the world
  • Stockholm — spread out over a number of islands, one of the most beautiful cities of Scandinavia
  • Turku — the gateway to the Archipelago Sea; the huge Castle and Cathedral are the two poles of historic Turku, between which just about every important site in the city can be found

See Also