What country is the most peaceful to date, in that it has taken part in the least wars outside of its country, e.g. World War I, and it has had the least civil wars?

1916

Norway is the most peaceful nation. The ranking uses 24 indicators, including the number of external and internal wars fought, the level of respect for human rights and the import and export of major conventional weapons, in attempt to provide a quantitative measure of peace that is comparable over time. Read more here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18942815/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6704767.stm Apr 28 08, 3:33 AM

Arpeggionist

I thought Greenland was the most peaceful country, considering its history... Apr 28 08, 5:31 AM

Baloo55th

Vatican City hasn't fought anyone, had a civil war, or been occupied since its foundation in 1929 (ish). Hasn't even got a divorce court...... Apr 28 08, 5:43 AM

star_gazer

Although Norway was occupied by the Germans during WWII. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Norway_by_Nazi_Germany Apr 28 08, 7:02 AM

crazycube

Although Baloo - this is an interesting snippet of news regarding the Vatican Bank. http://www.skolnicksreport.com/vaticanbank.html Apr 28 08, 7:14 AM

Arpeggionist

The Vatican has led several crusades in Europe and the Middle East. Norway was conquered and occupied by outside forces spanning a total of a few hundred years. Greenland, however, is the only country to peacefully submit itself to another's rule without any preceding threat of violence, much less military action. Greenlanders never faught a battle on their own soil or anywhere else. (The slight skirmishes between the Ericson family and the Skrälings of Vinland were not really battles, and the Ericsons called themselves Norwegians.) Apr 28 08, 10:42 AM

SanGermain

Greenland is not really a "country". It's a self governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, so I don't think that works... http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0821753.html Apr 28 08, 10:58 AM

author

I am sad to say that Norway is a relatively aggressive Imperialist power, albeit an unsuccessful one. Quote: After Norway regained full independence in 1905, it refused to accept Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland, which was a former Norwegian possession severed from Norway proper in 1814. In 1931, Norwegian whaler Hallvard Devold occupied uninhabited eastern Greenland, on his own initiative. After the fact, the occupation was supported by the Norwegian government. Two years later, the Permanent Court of International Justice ruled in favour of the Danish view. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Greenland#Colonization_and_exploration Apr 28 08, 1:14 PM

star_gazer

Iceland has been relatively peaceful, those silly Cod Wars with the UK were non violent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cod_War Apr 28 08, 1:56 PM

author

I think Iceland is a good candidate, after closing the US naval base at Keflavik in 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Air_Station_Keflavik Apr 28 08, 6:34 PM