The Geography of Bliss

Weiner arrives in Iceland, which often ranks at or near the top of happiness surveys. A local says that the sun won’t rise that day, so Weiner sleeps all day.

Veenhofen’s database says that colder countries are happier. Weiner argues that the cold may require people to band together, thereby producing happiness. However, Magnus, an Icelander Weiner met in Miami Beach, joked that Icelanders drink because the small population gets bored of seeing each other.

Veenhofen drinks to relax, which corresponds with what people say about Icelanders: They drink heavily on weekends, but do not drink during the week. At a Reykjavik bar, Weiner notices that drinks are expensive, but has a great conversation with a group of drunk, happy women. The next morning, Weiner eats breakfast at his hotel, noting that food is also expensive in Iceland.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), common in the United States, is not as much of an issue in Iceland. Scientists guess that Icelanders may have developed a genetic resistance.

Iceland is a small country, and the population is related genetically. This may explain why Icelanders pursue community-beneficial economic policies such as low unemployment: Policies like these are actually aiding their relatives. As a side effect, these kinds of political aims also increase happiness.