UPSC Prelims 2006 Q150: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Which one of the following countries is not a member of the Nordic Council?
- (a) Norway
- (b) Denmark
- (c) Iceland
- (d) United Kingdom
Answer: (d) United Kingdom
Explanation
Members of the Nordic Council
| Country | Nordic Council member? |
|---|---|
| Norway | Yes |
| Denmark | Yes |
| Iceland | Yes |
| United Kingdom | No |
The Nordic Council consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (with autonomous territories such as the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Aland); the United Kingdom is not a member.
Answer: (d) United Kingdom.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Norway is a founding member of the Nordic Council.
- (b) Incorrect. Denmark is a founding member of the Nordic Council.
- (c) Incorrect. Iceland joined the Nordic Council in 1952.
- (d) CORRECT. The United Kingdom is not a Nordic country and not a member.
Key point
The Nordic Council comprises Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden; the United Kingdom is not a member.
Remember
The United Kingdom is not a Nordic Council member.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all northern European countries are Nordic.
- Forgetting that Iceland is a member.
- Confusing the Nordic Council with the European Union.
Exam tip
Nordic = Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden (not the UK or the Baltic states).
Sources
- Nordic Council — About the Nordic Council: member countries and parliaments (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Nordic Council