United Nations Ranks Ten Happiest Countries on Earth

Finland has been named the happiest country on earth by the United Nations.

The World Happiness Report issued by the UN looked at 156 countries and ranked them according to such things as social support, life expectancy and corruption.

Asked by Associated Press why her country would rank so highly, Helsinki resident Sofia Holm replied, "Well, our politics and our economics. I think the basics are quite good in Finland. So, yes, we have the perfect circumstance to have a happy life here in Finland."

Top sites in Helsinki include Market Square, the Sibelius Monument and Linnanmaki Amusement Park. Why the Finns would need an amusement park if they're so happy, we don't know.

Just in case you wondered about where you SHOULDN'T go for your summer holiday, here are the LEAST happy countries on the planet as ranked by the UN: 147, Malawi, 148. Haiti, 149. Liberia, 150. Syria, 151. Rwanda, 152. Yemen, 153. Tanzania, 154. South Sudan, 155. Central African Republic, 156. Burundi

Norway was voted the second happiest country in the world by the UN for 2018. Cruise visits to the fjords are one of the highlights of any visit to Norway, as are trips to see reindeer in the north or to see the northern lights when it's close to Christmas. City dwellers will enjoy the cafes and restaurants and waterfront in Oslo. It's also fun to take a river tour by bike or to explore the Viking Ship Museum.

Denmark finished third in a world happiest country ranking done by the United Nations. You'll find quiet countryside and lovely beaches outside of Copenhagen, which is known for its lovely waterfront and for some of the world's finest cuisine. Taxes are high, but residents are well looked after and they make it easy for students to get a top-notch education. And, hey, they've got the Little Mermaid Statue.

The United Nations ranks Iceland as the world's fourth happiest country. It's not a cheap place to live or visit, but the remarkable waterfalls and deep green mountains make it a beautiful, inspiring place to go. You'll find hot, geothermal pools and friendly locals in Iceland, although some folks worry the country is getting too many tourists these days.

Switzerland finished fifth in the latest United Nations rankings of happiest countries on earth. Although the country is known mostly for its snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes and tiny, hillside viillages, you'll also find vibrant cities such as Geneva and Zurich, pictured here. West Zurich is a dynamic part of town, with flashy nightclubs and fancy cafes. The city centre features beautiful, winding, cobblestone streets and pretty churches. In summer, Lake Zurich is jam-packed with young people out for a swim.

The tranquil waterways of The Netherlands are a huge source of enjoyment for residents of the country, which came sixth in the world in a UN ranking of the planet's happiest countries. Amsterdam is a renowned tourist spot, with beautiful canals lined with pretty homes and with a gazillion cyclists dashing about. Rotterdam is more modern but has excellent hotels and a vibrant city centre. Better yet, get out to villages such as Edam and Volendam and enjoy the quiet countryside.

Canada came seventh in the latest UN rankings of happiest countries on earth. Most of the country has long, cold winters, but spring, summer and fall are often glorious. Most folks know about the Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls, not to mention Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. But the most charming area of the country could be the province of Newfoundland, which has a coastline that's truly stunning and one of the world's most striking cities, St. John's. The people here are undoubtedly the happiest, or at least the friendliest, folks in the country.

New Zealand finished a very solid eighth in the world in the latest UN ranking of happiest countries. No doubt they're feeling even happier that they finished two spots ahead of Australia. I've been a couple times and loved both visits. Pictured here are the rolling hills and a beautiful bay outside Akaroa, a South Island town that was settled by the French back in the day. It's also a wonderful area for seeing wild dolphins at play.

Sweden slides into the ninth position in the 2018 United Nations ranking of happiest countries. You'll find beautiful beaches along the west coast near towns such as Halmstad. The capital, Stockholm, is widely considered one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. It's a city surrounded by water and small islands. Take a stroll through the old town, known as Gamla Stan, and admire the beautiful architecture.

Australia came 10th in a United Nations rating of the happiest countries on the planet. With awesome cities such as Sydney and Melbourne and endless, sandy beaches all around, it's not surprising that Aussies are a rather jolly lot. It's not easy to reach, but Lord Howe Island in the state of New South Wales might be one of the most striking parts of the country. It's a small, tiny island that sits between Australia and New Zealand and features dramatic mountains that rise straight up out of the ocean. There are a couple of fine lodges, including Capella Lodge.