The social and cultural history of the Nordic region (including Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Greenland), as well as that of outlying former provinces such as Swedish Pomerania and the Caribbean colonies, is examined in this study. Religious and spiritual values, family life and sexuality, health and hygiene, town and country and slavery in the tropical colonies are amongst the topics dealt with in some depth. At the same time, the author also provides an architectural and artistic history of the region.