1. Scandinavia: Vikings originated from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They settled extensively in these areas, establishing coastal towns, trading centers, and political kingdoms.
2. Iceland: Vikings were among the first settlers of Iceland, arriving in the late 9th century. They established a thriving society and founded the Althing, the world's oldest parliament still in existence today.
3. Greenland: Vikings colonized Greenland in the 10th century and established settlements in the southern and western parts of the island. Norse settlements in Greenland persisted for several centuries before disappearing around the 15th century.
4. Northern Isles: The Northern Isles, including Shetland, Orkney, and the Faroe Islands, were settled by Vikings in the 9th century. These islands became important centers for trade and Norse cultural influence in the North Atlantic.
5. British Isles: Vikings raided and settled in various parts of the British Isles, including England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. They established significant settlements in places such as York, Dublin, and the Western Isles of Scotland.
6. Normandy (France): Norsemen, a group of Vikings, settled in the region of Normandy in northern France in the 10th century. Over time, they merged with the local population, adopted Christianity, and formed the powerful Duchy of Normandy.
7. Eastern Europe: Vikings also ventured into Eastern Europe and established trade routes along major rivers such as the Volga and Dnieper. They founded trading centers and towns, including Kiev in modern-day Ukraine.
8. North America: While the Vikings did not establish permanent settlements in North America, they explored and briefly resided in areas such as Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.