All have relatively little crime, high rates of homeownership, a heavily educated population and an abundance of community activities.

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Once, the wealth of a nation was defined by the expanse of its land, the size of its population or the strength of its army, the abundance of its natural resources.

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This is because the country is spoilt with a long coastline and an abundance of mountains, valleys, rivers and rolling farmlands, plus one of the lowest population densities in Europe.

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The sanctuary is home to minke whales of the Southern Hemisphere, the only remaining population of great whales in the Antarctic still at a level close to their natural abundance.

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Indeed, the population of snow geese in the north has recently grown dramatically, and one study suggests that the abundance of goose nests could offset some of the nutrients lost because of a shorter seal-hunting season.

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