My daughter was working offshore and went to Norway - her comment was 'Dad, they've got their shit together'.

"do you know how many Mexicans there are? lots. several. many." -toycat

Alternate title: Talking about Norway for 20 minutes

Thank you for boosting my Nordic patriotism

Why are all the Nordic countries so happy? Well, the flags are a big plus

Regarding the high taxes in the nordic countries: It seems most of us have some sort of understanding that even though taxes kinda suck, you know they're worth it the second you need the government to back you up. Unemployment, sickness, pension, a life without stress or whatever - You'll get your money worth in the long run. :)

One thing I as a Swede would say contributed to our good living standards, is the strong presence of unions. There is no minimum wage set by the government, they all are decided through negotiations between unions and the emloyers (Jeff Bezos' nightmare). Same goes with parental leave, payed vacation etc

The parts of Russia that have "Nordic" flags, are also tied to Finland and Sweden. Add to this that that area was known as Gardarike once, which was a viking kingdom.

Literally seen a picture of these flags yesterday and was wondering about them

A language called Norn used to be spoken in the Shetland Islands. It is related to other Nordic languages but is extinct now

Here in nordic countries we have this really cool thing, it's almost like a superpower you could call it: *COMMON SENSE* also *~ erhem ~ SUOMI MAINITTU TORILLA TAVATAAN!!!!!!* 🇫🇮 🇫🇮 🇫🇮

Estonia: *crying intensifies*

Bunnpris literally means "bottom price" When you've got a receipt, the total amount you gotta pay is the bunnpris

it makes me happy knowing that someone knows the difference between the nordics and scandinavia

Love the phrasing, Denmark got to keep the kids 😂

5:48. Speaking of skewed statistics, I would like to remind everyone that Vatican City has 2.27 Popes per square kilometre. EDIT: Fixed "metres" to "kilometres".

The reason the Shetland Islands have white and blue is because the Nordic cross is to represent their Scandinavian heritage also Blue and white is to represent their Scottish heritage also Scotland because the Scottish flag has the colours white and blue on it.

16:35 and another map without New Zealand...

I am genuinely quite disappointed that Caithness wasn't even touched upon about having a Scandinavian flag for the county. We're not an island, we're northern Scottish mainland, but we do have some history and culture relating to Scandinavia.

"Look how cute the graveyard is." -2cat

"look how adorable these trash cans are" -toycat 2021

Good to know there's a fellow Norway obsessive out there. En dag vil jeg bor der. It's got to a point where if there's a Scandinavian/Norwegian option in any decision I'm making I will always take that. When I was buying a boat I turned to the Norwegian company Pioner because why wouldn't I. When I was buying a car I bought a Volvo. They just do everything so well. Most of my drive and passion for Scottish independence is based around the idea that Scotland could continue down a path of Scandinavization. Since the Scottish parliament was set up in 1998 we have been inspired by these great countries in so many of our policies. The land reform and right to roam laws in Scotland is something that Scandinavians have enjoyed for years. The baby box scheme is straight from Finland. Generally progressive policies such as free tuition fees too. I know it's a lost cause at this stage but I can't help but feel a little hacked off by the oil situation too. If we were independent back in the seventies then we could have been in a similar situation as Norway now; a country of 5.5 million people and a $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund. But instead, we got fifteen years of Thatcher and food banks. The money went straight to London and the pockets of oil executives. Maybe I should just be grateful for the Scottish parliament and the political drive we have here for a better and fairer country. I can't imagine living in England and not having the benefits that we enjoy. Nothing beats Norway though. Vi elsker deg, Norge.

I'm from the north of Scotland and have spent much time in Shetland. Most of the people there consider themselves "Shetlanders" not Scottish and many would prefer to be part of Norway. I also know lots who have emigrated there. Now, I live in Åland with my Swedish partner and our kids that were born in Finland. I love Scotland and it will always feel the most like home but living here, "the system" is so much better.

A few points, Finland was the first country in the world that gave all women all the right to vote and also stand for parlament. All other Nordic countries also understood the value of women for a decent society. Then it's quite obvious that poverty is easier to disregard in a warm country, even in rich countries still today. Poverty in the winter is lethal and cannot be bypasses just like that. And then there is education and the understanding and demand that it's not just for the elite and the rich kids but for all kids including girls. Now there is still one country that could fit into this group of countries and that is Scotland perhaps. From the Nordic Model in the Wikipedia. "American author Ann Jones, who lived in Norway for four years, contends that "the Nordic countries give their populations freedom from the market by using capitalism as a tool to benefit everyone" whereas in the United States "neoliberal politics puts the foxes in charge of the henhouse, and capitalists have used the wealth generated by their enterprises (as well as financial and political manipulations) to capture the state and pluck the chickens."

as a Dane i am glad that people like our nations, even the strange peeps from Sweden.

The fact that ToyCat kept the subject (mostly) on Scandinavia is a miracle on itself.

"That place in russia and estonia" used to be swedish (together with Latvia) for a couple of centuries (up until the early 1800s). So it isn't that strange that it has a nordic cross. (A bit of an aside - do look up the Republic of Jamtland (Jämtland) for a quirky weirdness)

There are plenty of people in Finland (mainland) that speak sweadish as their native language. Although it is not entire similar to swedish in Sweden.. same goes for Åland, the autonomous part of Finland. Finland also had this status when it was a part of Russian empire.

I haven't seen sun this year 🙂 🇫🇮

It is absolutely impossible to get around the Faroes without a car.. Plus you get to do the crazy tunnels!!

9:48 Toycat Norway didnt sell those Norwegian islands, Denmark did

My dads is a of sore oil worker and every time he works in Norway he has nothing but positive things to say and really enjoys his experiences there

12:01 Toycat: "All the tiny islands" Greenland:

What I take from this video is: 1. Norway had a ton of stuff in the past, that is now owned by others. 2. Romanticism is scandinavialised.

Just the fact that you know the difference between the Scandinavian and Nordic countries made me like your video before even watching it all ;) As an Icelander I had no idea that the flags of Orkney and Shetlands are "Nordic" - thanks for informing me about that ;)

Toycat:looks at a trashcan Also Toycat: look how adorable this stuff is

Why am I still watching? Because it's interesting, and I feel flattered being from a Nordic country. Btw Bunnpris = Bottom Price.

19:31 or maybe, having nothing for half of the year made them build a more resposible society in general, contrary to what you'd have in all year round warm countries where they might have a more irresponsible society because they never really needed to change anyway. "if you need more potatoes just plant more potatoes, doesn't matter if it's June or January, just the damn potatoes"

THANK YOU for explaining that Scandinavia and the Nordics are two different things!!!!! I'm so tired of people using them interchangebly

"There's a certain happiness to Norwegians" *Lands on a graveyard street view*

If it were up to me, as a Finn, I would welcome Scotland to the Nordic countries and back into the EU without a slightest hesitation!

One thing I find interesting is that the main political parties in the Nordic countries are their labour parties (Centre-left).

Travelling in the Faroes by public transport is quite doable. They have a pretty good bus network and you can get a pass that covers them all (or certainly did a few years ago). The only challenge is that you are meant to tell the driver your destination which means having to try and work out how to pronounce the string of letters on the map.

You should look into the "Law of Jante", it will explain a lot about the nordic nations.

This is closest you will come to someone flirting with an entire country.

Keep up the geography stuff lol, almost as interesting as Minecraft You're much more interesting than my geography teacher XD

Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark (i.e. a Commonwealth of sorts), but not part of the state of Denmark. (Which is also why neither is a member of the EU. The Faroe Islands never joined the European Community back in the day, and Greenland joined, but left after a referendum in 1986.) They have more devolved governments than, say, the countries of the UK (so far...), so it's a different sort of construction and that warrants them being called separate countries, and Greenland has a roadmap of sorts for independence, though there is no time frame for it as of yet. (Iceland, of course, managed an orderly and peaceful independence from Denmark back in the 1940s.) Anyway, sorry for ranting... Great video!

As a mapper I always find it awesome seeing someone enjoy geography and the world and stuff. This video was entertaining as your content usually is keep up the great work. And geography and statistics needs an hour plus long video to properly explain all the different skews that happen

Maybe a secret in the US but not in Britain. We actually have geography classes in school

You should look into Svalbard! It is probably the most interresting nordic island of them all!

4:16 - Almost. Norway, Sweden and Denmark entered a union, far back at the end of the Viking era. Sweden left the union, Norway... became a vassal of Denmark. In 1814, some unknown French dude lost some wars. Denmark was on that dudes side. Sweden helped fight the French dude. In return, Sweden got Norway, which from now on was their vassal. How ever... Denmark lied, and pretended that Greenland, Iceland, Færøyene, and what ever else they could manipulate from the Swedes, were never Norwegian, but Danish. And this is how Greenland, Iceland and Færøyene, became Danish.

Same i want to go to the Faroe Islands badly even though its landscape is similar to ireland its like a different world

I specifically love this because A. Gives some actual attention to the Nordic Countries & states & islands B. I myself am a very large portion Scandinavian, and am currently planning on moving to Norway C. There was a good bit on information in here *I didn’t even know existed*

Wow I remember joining one of your Minecraft Xbox 360 hunger games sessions when I was young and coming second place to you in a really memorable final 2. It's super great to see that your channel is still live and well!!!

As someone who lives in Yorkshire, having watched this I want to reinstate the Danelaw and become happier...

Great video filled with interesting facts and very entertaining commentary. Thanks Toycat!😎

The Faroes (when I was there) had a very good bus and ferry system.

13:35 imagine watching some random video youtube recommended you and toycat pulls up your house on google maps

This is the most entertaining video I have seen in some time. Talking about my country and our nordic brethren. Also I always find it funny the way English speaking people say Norwegian names

Estonia Probably

8:31 ah yes, Auckland, biggest city in the Nordic island nation of New Zealand. I find it funny that my country is really similar to the Nordic countries in terms of happiness and stuff like that.

Dude, I saw some of your videos from the other channel from time to time, never subbed as I barely play Minecraft (and not on console), and just found this channel by complete accident!! Needless to say, this is probably the best surprise in a while, I love geography and I really could not have foreseen this! Love your style of videos regardless of the content, keep up the great work across your channels! :D

I was rubbish at geography at school. I really like learning things from you ,tc , and you send me down lots of geo-rabbit holes . So , yeah , thank you x

I was really surprised when he pronounced "Åland" like "o-land", rather that "ah-land". It's still not correct, but it's way closer, and it shows that he put in some effort.

Dont go to Faroe Islands in winter.. I was hiking that place you showed in the afternoon and it got all dark while I was chased by sheep :')

20:25, wasn’t paying attention and suddenly you’re in my hometown, in the same spot I was a few hours ago

I watched your videos some years ago and remember getting a headache because you talked too fast. Now you have toned it down, and your videos are a lot better paced! Really like that, since the subject matter is very interesting. Soo. Thanks for that! Now I might even consider subscribing.

Maybe it's because of how cold it gets. You have to be pretty determined to make things work if you're gonna stay in a place like that.

Scandivanian here, I aprove this video!

19:45 yeah I can just say right away we’re as much outside in the winter as in the summer😂😂

I've lived in various parts of the US for 25 years, The French/Swiss boarder for 10 years, and Finland for 2 years. I've been happy everywhere. Finland is still my favourite though.

I was at the Faroe Islands when I was young and it’s absolutely stunning, I definitely recommend visiting it

Absolutely loved this video being a scot living with a dane really enjoyed seeing her claim most of the territories of orkney and shetland for scandinavia

Scotland also has more Nordic flags. Shetland, Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland, the Highlands(unofficial), Skye, Barra and south Uist. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I hope someday Scotland gets it’s independence and can join the Nordic council.

BEST geography KZfaq channel by far + most knowledge per minute of any channel!

Technically speaking Greenland and faroe islands are not part of Denmark. They are part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Kingdom of Denmark is split into Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe islands.

You should looked up the tunnel projects in Faroe Islands. Pretty amazing connecting together all the islands and making shortcuts so make safer roads than the open ones. Makes you wonder if its made by norwegians and their oil money lol. Been living in Sweden for approx. 20 years, all im missing from my bucketlists hearby in "nordi-scandi world" is so far Iceland, Faroe, and well.. Shetlands too i guess.

11:40 the Flag for Scania (below sweden right to Denmark) is supposed to be little bigger, at the map it currently only shows todays size/region of Scania, while back in the days it also contained the areas Blekinge, Halland, (parts of) Småland and even Gotland. But it got divided when sweden annexed it from Denmark.

19:40 - Agriculture in Nordic countries have a Summer with more daylight sunshine.

I like how the netherlands almost every time has the same score

how is this coincidence i just looked this map up this morning and looked into it then got into the Nordic flags today then my favourite youtuber for history and geography makes a video on them. im mind blown at that.

There is a Swedish word which does sum up Scandinavian success as it embodies the core philosophy that explains it: Lagom. It translates as “enough”. The goal of society is for people to have enough. Enough food, a decent home, support when you are ill, old, or disabled and enough time for play and socializing. The critical thing is that as the society prospers, the notion of what is enough rises. Why are Scandinavian countries so happy? Being a first generation American of Scandinavian parents and, having spent a lot of time in Sweden and Denmark, I can say that people are people, no matter where you go. What is different is that living in Scandinavia is much less stressful. You don’t have to struggle to have a decent life. It also explains why there are so many highly-motivated achievers, the educational system is exceptional and you can go as far as your abilities take you. Much is made of the cold, dark winters. Yes they are tough. But the flip side of the coin is that the summers are utterly glorious. Given the generous vacation laws, you can take off an entire month to enjoy it and many Scandinavians do just that. A Conservative Swedish Politician family friend answered my question about what it meant to be a conservative in Sweden. He said that no one in his party wanted to cut back the social programs. In fact many are in favor of some expansion thereof. His primary view that his role was that these programs be run efficiently and effectively. Swedes know what they have. I wish many of my fellow Americans could see how, even with paying less in taxes, Scandinavians get so much more.

People are so friendly in Scandinavia. I was cycling across Sweden a few years ago, and a lady told me where her house was and told me to just go in and shower and she would be home later to make dinner. Haha it was amazing. I stayed the night, and the next day she gave me honey that her husband harvested himself. Lovely people

Ingria has a Nordic cross for a flag

Andrew, you HAVE to go to the Faroes! I went there in 2018 and it was stunning!

As a Norwegian, I'd say the answer is: Solidarity. The Nordic model, the Nordic culture and the Nordic way of doing social democracy is a consequence of solidarity. We have a name for it: "Fellesskapet". Everyone is part of it, and although it is difficult and costly (e.g. taxes), it is the price of prosperity. There is no easy and cheap way to prosperity, and I don't think you can get there without solidarity.

As someone who lives in Shetland, I can confirm we identify more as Scandinavian than celtic. I think Orkney are the same.

I used to have a Shetland pony called Harry coz he had a lightning bolt battery on his snoot

"it's almost like nordic nature has been romantisized" keeps romanticicing a little more "so good infrastructure, govermwnt caring about the future etc" lmao.

Faroe Islands is very cool imo, its like Iceland but less colder from the looks of it. Pretty simple looking I guess.

The network of undersea tunnels connecting the Faroe Islands is quite insane...they have undersea roundabouts

That intro with all of the "proven points" was really smart dude.

Its an interesting point to why the Nordic countries are so successful. Historically these countries used to be very poor countries that suffered from famines from year to year. But there is something with what you said about some countries have to be the most successful, right. A lot of the wealth from these countries relies on inventions like the dynamyte which gave rise to a huge arms industry. Labor party policies also dominated the political landscape for most of the 18th century. But that's not unique for the nordic countries. But if I were to guess, its probably have to do with the post-war economy and the policies made afterwards.

Dammit Toycat, why must you make me super want to travel during a pandemic and also when I live in the middle of nowhere! I wanna do a big nordic trip now!

I have been in the exact place you showed from alta, and as a Norwegian I can tell you that Bunnpris means "bottom price" so basically it means cheap prices. It's a moderately successful franchise grocery shop, they pop up all over Norway. The gourmet comes from it being a more exclusive shop compared to the other Bunnprises. It was kinda uncanny to see a parkinglot I myself had been on in a video.

"christian the one"

"Christian the One"

I don't know why I look at his titles, it's the rants that are the best bits :) Keep safe everyone.

This was amazing, made my day

**sad estonia noises**