Final answer:
Norway is the country that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian peninsula and is bordered by Russia, known for its Western Highlands and sparse population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The country that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian peninsula and is bordered by Russia is Norway. Norway is known for its Western Highlands and rugged terrain.
As part of Northern Europe, Norway is a Nordic country with Viking heritage and shares cultural ties with Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland.
These nations are sometimes less populated when compared to other European countries. Norway was among the western-aligned countries during the Cold War period and is known for its sparse population and challenging agricultural conditions due to mountainous landscapes.