"Most of the area [of Scandinavia] is a wasteland (albeit a beautiful one) from a farming & ranching standpoint, due to its poor soil. The Scandinavians may be living in a pristine environment, but without the ability to import food, I hope you like herring and knawing on whale blubber."
Perhaps your intention is to point out the supremacy of American-style capitalism over Scandinacian-style social-democratic economies. But even in the pursuit of such noble goals (I'm just sayin'..), a gross distortion of facts is uncalled for.
Here's what the
CIA has to say :
Norway is a big oil driller and producer. The country has a big industrial base in petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, and of course fishing. Most of those products are exported too. A wide variety of foodstuff is, of course, naturally available, and is also imported (including junk food).
Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output. Again, food is healthy, as evidenced by food-related health stats, while some food is also imported, such as junk food, beloved by American tourists.
Finally
Finland is not the paradise you hate her for! The country suffers from air pollution caused by manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain. And water pollution from industrial wastes and agricultural chemicals. (Happy now?)
But Finland is doing well gastronomically, no matter what you have been led to believe! Salmon, reindeer or willow grouse are to be found on your table, if you can drag your behind from the local McDonalds. But did you know that Finland is considered the world leader in the development of functional or health-enhancing foods? It's the Silicon Valley of functional foods, exporting millions of dollars worth of them.
...Oh, well. Back to chomping the old big mac. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]