Scandinavia - Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland: visa, attractions, language, currency, time difference, summer and winter holidays, fishing, what to bring. Northern European countries Scandinavian Peninsula countries and capitals
Never judge a summer resort
by postcards.
Folk wisdom
Chapter 2. Geography of the world's tourism resources
2.1. Tourist resources of foreign Europe
International tourism (definition and research methods). Connection of the course “International Tourism” with other scientific disciplines.
Classification of types of tourism activities. Prospects for the development of international tourism. Modern factors in the development of international tourism.
2.1.1. Scandinavian countries
The Scandinavian region traditionally includes three countries:.
Finland, Sweden and Norway. In addition to them, Denmark and Iceland are also included here. These countries, in addition to their geographical proximity and northern location, have a number of other common features: common historical development, a high level of economic development and prosperity, and a relatively small population.
FINLAND- “the country of a thousand lakes” (a consequence of the glacial past), does not have rich natural resources, with the exception of forest and water. A significant part of the country - Lapland - is located beyond the Arctic Circle. The shores of the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia are indented by shallow bays with islands located there - skerries. Despite its northern location, the climate here is temperate continental due to the warm Gulf Stream and many inland reservoirs. A special feature of Finland's nature is kamos - the polar night.
The population of Finland is about 5 million people, mostly Finns and Swedes live here, and their religion is Lutheran.
During the period of the existence of the Swedish state, which included Finland, Finns were considered mainly as “cannon fodder”. In the 19th century Finland became part of the Russian Empire, which led to the flourishing of Finnish national culture and the transfer of the capital from the west, from the city of Turku, to the east of the country, to Helsinki. Helsinki was founded during the period of Swedish rule in order to displace the then prosperous Hanseatic city of Tallinn. At 155 0 King Gustave Vasa of Sweden, who wanted to oust Tallinn, decides to establish a port face to face with the rival city. This is how Helsinki came into being.
Finland has become independent state after the Great October Socialist Revolution of 1917. in Russia.
Taking advantage of the proclaimed V.I. With Lenin's right of nations to self-determination, she was able to defend her national sovereignty. Administratively, the country is divided into 11 provinces (lani) and one autonomy - the Åland Islands. Finland is an economically highly developed country. High-quality paper, Nokia cell phones, diesel engines, elevator equipment, cruise ships, sports equipment is the “calling card” of the Finnish industry.
Natural resources are no less important for the country's economy. And this is not only forest, covering a significant part of Finland. According to UNESCO, Finland ranks first in the world in terms of groundwater quality. Natural springs They are so pure here that tap water can be drunk without filtering or boiling. IN last years there is an increase in Finnish exports drinking water. In this, Finland has every chance to repeat the success of Nokia mobile phones and pulp and paper products.
Finland has an excellent and interesting education system. The Finns have achieved great success in the development of telecommunications and wood processing technologies. In addition, they are actively doing business in the northwestern region of Russia. Accordingly, studying in Finland can become a prologue for a diploma student to a successful career in a branch of one of the foreign companies in Russia.
Based on natural, historical and economic characteristics, the following regions can be distinguished in Finland: Southern Finland with its center in the city of Helsinki, Western Finland with its center in the ancient capital of the country - Turku, Central Finland with the major centers of Tampere and the winter sports capital of Lahti. The country's largest port, Kotka, is located in Eastern Finland. The north of Finland is occupied by Lapland with its center in the city of Rovaniemi.
Åland Islands- a state within a state, the inhabitants of the islands have always been known as good sailors and fishermen.
In Helsinki, tourists are usually offered a number of excursions: bridges and canals of Helsinki, a boat trip with dinner, an excursion to Kotka.
A salmon fair and salmon fishing competitions are held. The Kotka-Verdi sailing regatta (Estonia) and other sailing competitions are organized in Kotka. Tourists are also offered boat trips. One of the most famous sights of Turku, the ancient capital of Finland, is the Cathedral - main temple Lutheran faith and national shrine of Finland. It is considered the most valuable architectural monument of the country. The cathedral is not only a museum, it is a place of worship for parishioners, in particular for the Swedish-speaking population of the city. The cathedral is already more than 700 years old. It began to be built in the 13th century, when Turku became the most important shopping center countries.
The construction of the cathedral was completed by 1300.
One of the most beautiful places The country is considered to be Central Finland. This is a lake district. Thus, in the city of Kuopio, located on the shores of Lake Kallavesi, tourists are offered a huge choice boat trips. Small boats and water buses depart from the port daily. “Build a sauna first, and then a house” is a famous Finnish proverb. The sauna is an integral part of the Finnish way of life. Restraint, slowness, seriousness, silence, precision are the characteristics of Finnish behavior. Skiing, fishing, hockey - the secrets of Finnish longevity.
A visa is permission to enter the country. Visa-free entry Finland is only permitted for citizens of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway), as well as for citizens of the European Union.
SWEDEN- a country occupying most of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The Scandinavian mountains are mountains of old folding, rich in ore minerals. Swedish steel, made from local iron ores, is considered one of the best in the world. There are many lakes in Southern Sweden. Here is the largest lake in Europe - Lake Venerna, in the extreme south there is a fertile hill, the breadbasket - the Småland region.
Sweden is a predominantly single-ethnic country with a population of about 9 million people, more than 90% of the inhabitants are Swedes. Sweden's temperate continental climate is a consequence of 54 two factors: the influx of warm, humid air masses from the Atlantic and the penetration of cold air from the Arctic.
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy. Traditionally, every year the King of Sweden awards honorary Nobel Prizes to the five most outstanding scientists and public figures in the world. The country consists of 24 lenas (provinces). The capital of the country is Stockholm, a port on the Baltic Sea. It is very beautiful, it has many attractions and museums - the national one, the open-air ethnographic museum, the northern Milles garden, the Vasa Museum and the Treasury.
Once dominant in Northern Europe, Sweden has not been involved in wars for almost 190 years, maintaining political neutrality.
Sweden has a highly developed economy and a high standard of living for its population. The basis of the economy is wood processing, pulp and paper industry, metallurgy, hydropower, and mechanical engineering.
Sweden is a music exporter. The ABBA ensemble brought fame to musical Sweden. Children's writer A. Lindgren, or rather, her characters (Malysh and Carlson) are familiar to millions of children.
Sweden is called the “land of late professors.” The fact is that according to the old Swedish tradition, the teacher has the right to be late for class by exactly a quarter of an hour. And classes at Swedish universities begin at nine in the morning. If the professor is delayed longer, the class is cancelled. There was no case in which any of the teachers neglected their traditional historical right to be late.
In terms of regional differences in Sweden, three large cities can be noted - Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo. Stockholm is called the “city on the water”, Malmo in the south of Sweden is called the “city of parks”, Gothenburg is called west coast- the country's largest port. In northern Sweden there are numerous oblong lakes rich in fish. Logs are floated along mountain rivers and numerous hydroelectric power stations are located here.
In the northern regions of Sweden in the summer the sun does not fall below the horizon. Here you can often find whole herds of elk and deer grazing not far from their homes. local residents.
The famous ski resort of Åre consists of four villages - Duved, Tegefjell, Åre By and Åre Bjornen. All villages are connected by bus routes. Åre meets all global requirements for a high-level ski resort. For high specifications this resort is often called the “Scandinavian Alps”. Alpine skiing World Cup stages have been held here several times.
IN southern regions The country's landscapes are varied. The coastal strip alternates between sandy and pebble beaches with rocks. Lake Vänern, Europe's largest, is located here. Southern Sweden is occupied by the regions of Skåne, Halland and Småland. Skåne has famous beech forests and numerous golf courses.
Holland is famous for its endless sandy beaches. This is a great place to relax in a secluded house on the coast or a small hotel in small Swedish towns, which have a special atmosphere of provincial Sweden. It is the region of Småland that the Swedes themselves consider the real Sweden. The “Kingdom of Crystal” is located here - 15 villages where glassblowing is developed. In southern Sweden, the famous 16-kilometer bridge connects the city of Malmö with the Danish capital, Copenhagen.
The city of Gothenburg, located on the Göta River, is considered the center of Western Sweden. The city's population is 500 thousand people.
Gothenburg is Sweden's second largest city and its most important port.
The bishop's residence and university are located in Gothenburg.
Central Sweden is a mecca for those interested in Swedish culture. Dalarna is an area in this part of the country that is known as the center of Swedish folklore. IN holidays here you can meet local residents dressed in national costumes, and also take part in folk festivals. The capital of Sweden is located on the Baltic Sea coast. The metro in Stockholm resembles an art gallery. Dozens of artists and sculptors took part in the design of the stations. The city is practically environmentally friendly environment. As already noted, Stockholm has a number of museums, among which the Vasa Museum is especially noteworthy. This is a museum of a royal ship built in the 17th century. The ship was very large for those times. The height of its masts was 50 m. It was equipped with 64 cannons and many excellently made sculptural details. The ship began its first voyage in August 1628, but was capsized by a sudden squall and sank. In 196 1 he was found and raised. The ship is perfectly preserved. Now it is the main exhibit of the museum.
IN royal castle there is a small but very visited museum - the Treasury, where the treasures of the royal family are displayed, including the sword of King Gustav Vasa and the crown of the Swedish kings. Stockholm's attractions also include the luxurious royal palace, which is of great historical and artistic value, and the city hall, where the largest organ in Scandinavia is installed.
There are two large islands in the Baltic Sea - Öland and Gotland, which are part of Sweden. Eland Island is famous for its sandy beaches. Here, on the island, there is a reliably recreated village from Viking times with all the attributes of that era. Gotland is the most large island in the Baltic Sea. Visby - main city The islands are surrounded by a medieval fortress wall that has survived to this day and is included in the UNESCO World List of Cultural and Historical Heritage.
Among the cruises that can be offered to tourists in Sweden, a cruise on the Göta Canal connecting Stockholm and Gothenburg should be noted. Tourists will see fortresses, castles, monasteries, dense forests and much more.
NORWAY. Rest and sightseeing trips Tours along the Norwegian fjords have recently become one of the most popular and fashionable types of recreation among tourists. Norwegian fjords are deep-water bays of the Atlantic Ocean, cutting into the land among steep cliffs and high mountains with glaciers frozen on the tops and rapid waterfalls. The fjords were formed by glaciers that, over many ice ages, cut deeper and deeper into solid rock.
Recently, leading experts in the field of tourism held a competition to determine the most popular place in the world. This competition was held by the largest international tourism magazine " National Geographic Traveler". Among the competitors of the Norwegian fjords were 115 other places known for their unique beauty throughout the world. Nevertheless, the undisputed winner of the competition was precisely Norwegian fjords.
In order to explore the main attraction of Norway - the fjords, tourists go to the city of Bergen. Bergen is Norway in miniature, it is the history of the entire country, it is the capital of the kingdom of trolls and picturesque fjords. In Bergen, tourists can visit the Hanseatic Embankment, listed as a world-class cultural values UNESCO; the beautiful ancient fortress of Bergenhus - the first capital of the Kingdom of Norway;
The Troll Hill estate is the residence of the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. In 1909 Bergen entered service Railway, connecting Oslo and Bergen. To provide a transport route to Sognefjord, in 1923. began construction of a parallel route to Flåm. In 1944 the road was open. The train covers a 20 km section, passing through 20 tunnels with a total length of 6 km between Flåm and Myrdal, in approximately 1 hour. Tourists admire the amazing nature:.
There are rivers around, deep gorges, waterfalls washing steep mountain walls with snow-covered peaks, mountain farms.
Norway is a country of ancient Vikings, but since the 14th century. was a dependent state of Denmark and Sweden, and since 1905. - independent country. Most of it is occupied by the Scandinavian mountains. Norway's temperate oceanic climate, despite northern position, is caused by the Gulf Stream current passing off the coast of the country.
Oil and gas found on the North Sea shelf off the coast of Norway added to the national wealth of an already prosperous country. Norway is among the major maritime powers exporting fish and seafood.
Norway, like Sweden, is a constitutional monarchy with 19 provinces.
The capital of Norway, Oslo, is located in the south of the country. Its main attractions: Vigellan sculpture park, Holmenkoln ski jump, Viking ship museum, Kontiki museum. In addition to Oslo, there are two main tourist areas in Norway:.
“The country of fjords”, which occupies the southern and central part of the country, and Northern Norway.
The “Country of Fjords” includes several regions: Rogoland, Hordoland, Sognefjord, More og Romsdal. Rogoland is the most South Region fjord countries. The cities of Stavanger and Hauge Sund are located here. Stavanger is the largest city in this region, as well as the fourth largest in all of Norway. It has retained the unique flavor of antiquity: on the narrow streets you can find many cafes, restaurants, shops and museums. Stavanger initially developed through the fish trade, like many cities in Norway. After oil fields were discovered on the North Sea shelf, the headquarters of oil companies appeared here. Haugesund is famous for its popular festivals and historical open-air museum. There is a waterfall not far from the city. The center of the Hordoland region is the city of Bergen.
The Sognefjord region is home to Norway's longest fjord, called Sognefjord. It is also the deepest fjord in the world, its depth is 1300 m - only a few meters less than the height of the surrounding mountains. The More og Romsdal region is the northernmost region of the fjord country. The center of this area is the city of Ålesund. Numerous medieval turrets, romantic facades and spiers of buildings have become the hallmark of Alesund. It is one of the most important centers of the fishing industry in Norway. Central city Northern Norway is the city of Bode. Within this region are Lofoten Islands, which is called the “Lofoten Wall”. These islands are famous for their high mountains, beautiful bays and wild coastal landscapes.
A popular tour among tourists is Northern Norway and Murmansk region: Murmansk - Tromso - Bode - Lofoten Islands - Tromso - North Cape - Kirkenes - Murmansk. The highlight of this tour is a cruise along the coast of Northern Norway from Bode to Kirkenes.
Norway is the birthplace of skiing. Winter resorts began to develop here almost simultaneously with the main ski centers Europe. This was largely due to the fact that the winter season in Norway is the longest on the entire continent. Yailo is the most famous and popular Norwegian ski resort. International slalom and cross-country skiing competitions are held here. The resort has a well-developed winter sports base with more than a century of tradition. Yailo is often called an “alpine town”, because the first alpine skiing competitions in Norway were held there in 1935. There is snow here almost all year round.
The small town of Lillehamer, located on the shores of Lake Mjøsa, is famous. In 1994 The Winter Olympic Games were held here. Hafjell is the site of the 1994 Olympic slalom competition. This resort is located 15 km from Lillehamer. Ski resort Kvitfjell, which means " White Mountain"- a favorite vacation spot of the Norwegian elite. The slalom World Cup and biathlon competitions are held here annually. The resorts of Gausdal, Gala, and Hemsedal are also popular.
In addition to sports competitions winter resorts Norway offers dog sled rides, reindeer rides, scooter rides, and ice skating.
DENMARK occupies most of the Jutland Peninsula and a group of nearby islands. Administratively, the country consists of 14 regions. The population is about 5 million people. Ethnic composition: Danes, Germans, Frisians, Faresians.
The government system is a constitutional monarchy. The official language is Danish. Religion - Lutheranism.
The most ancient monuments in Denmark date back to the 8th-7th millennia BC. In the 8th century The first kingdom was formed on Danish territory. Since the 18th century Denmark is a colonial power. She currently owns Faroe islands and island.
Denmark is a country covered with high hills.
The climate is temperate, moderated by the North Atlantic current.
The main tourist attractions are concentrated in the capital of Denmark - Copenhagen. In the historical center of the city, near the town hall, there is a monument to the famous children's writer, the most famous Dane, Hans Christian Andersen, the great storyteller of the 19th century, and at the entrance to Copenhagen harbor there is a world-famous sculpture of the Little Mermaid, the heroine of Andersen's fairy tale. Among the attractions of the capital of Denmark, the palace complex of Amalienborg (18th century) should be especially noted. Four identical buildings are located opposite each other on an octagonal square, in the center of which stands the equestrian monument to Frederick V. The Nyhaun Canal is a place where tourists can visit exotic old-style taverns and shops.
The Danish islands are also interesting in terms of tourism. The island of Zealand is the commercial center of the country. It also has beautiful beaches, lakes, forests and palaces. The island of Funen is called the “garden of Denmark”, where there are more than a hundred castles open to visitors, hundreds of picturesque old villages. However, the main attraction of Denmark is the Danes themselves - their friendliness, hospitality and humor.
Faroe islands is an autonomous region of Denmark, including 18 inhabited and a number of uninhabited islands in the northeast Atlantic Ocean in the Norwegian Sea, between Norway and Iceland. The capital of the islands is the city of Tórshavn. Local attractions include a historical museum, an art gallery, and an ancient monastery. Tourists also take excursions to a sheep farm and go fishing in the sea.
Greenland- the largest island in the world, its area is 2 million sq. km, which is equivalent to one quarter of the territory of the United States. Ice 3-4 km thick covers a significant part of the island. The capital of Greenland is the city of Nuuk, which is home to about 15 thousand inhabitants.
Greenland is known as a destination for sea cruises. Here 61 tourists are offered fishing, hunting, dog sledding, motor sleigh rides, and, of course, skiing is common.
ICELAND. This country is located in the North Atlantic Ocean. Despite its circumpolar location, the climate here is relatively mild: on the coast average temperature January from 0 to 2°, July - from 10 to 15°. This is a consequence of the influence of the Gulf Stream, which prevents the island from turning into an Arctic desert. Glaciers and volcanoes are the face of Iceland.
This appearance is complemented by beautiful waterfalls and geysers, the heat of which is used to heat buildings. Iceland is sparsely populated, the country's population is only 290 thousand people.
The discoverers of Iceland were Norwegian sailors.
The basis of the country's economy is fishing. Tourism in Iceland is primarily associated with visiting natural attractions: glaciers, fjords, canyons, volcanoes, geysers. The sulfurous water of geysers can be the basis of medical and health tourism.
Among the attractions of the country's capital, Reykjavik (translated as “bay of smoke”) is the Natural History Museum, National Museum, the National Gallery, the Hallgrim Church and the Leif Erikson Monument - a gift from the United States in honor of the millennium of the founding of the Althing, the oldest functioning parliament in the world.
There are four tourist regions in Iceland: Western Iceland; Northern Iceland; East Iceland; South Iceland. Western Iceland includes the area between Reykjavik and the Klopningnes Peninsula. Here is the Snæfellsjökull volcano, which is almost 1.5 km high.
The territory of Northern Iceland includes eight peninsulas, separated from each other by bays and fjords - the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park is located in this area.
The northern capital of Iceland is the city of Akureyri. Bird watching tours are popular here. You can also see whales here. The visiting card of East Iceland is the Vatnajokull glacier, and the fjords are also a local attraction.
There is a ferry terminal connecting Iceland with the Faroe Islands and Norway. Symbols of South Iceland: Skogafoss and Seljalandfoss waterfalls and black volcanic sand.
It is impossible to indicate exact population figures in a particular city, because... this is influenced by factors of human migration (students, tourists, visitors from the regions). However, we have compiled a list of the 12 largest cities in Scandinavia to admire and discover some of the sights.
№12
Aalborg, Denmark
Aalborg has a population of 130,853 people. The city is the fourth largest in Denmark. Aalborg is famous for its modern seaside area in the Limfjord, a system of straits in the north of the Jutland Peninsula connecting the North Sea and the Kattegat Strait.
Streets of Aalborg. Photo by Leandro Steve
Amazing views modern buildings, such as the Utzon Center and the futuristic House of Music, attract lovers of modern architecture.
Utzon Center. Photo utzoncenter
Aalborg Airport is the third largest in Denmark. Norwegian airlines Norwegian and SAS operate regular flights from Copenhagen to Aalborg and operate direct flights from some European cities. Getting here is not much of a problem.
№11
Uppsala, Sweden
This Swedish city has a population of about 140,454 people. Sweden's fourth largest city is the birthplace of the scientist who invented the Celsius scale. Uppsala is famous for its educational institutions, in particular Uppsala University, founded in 1477 - oldest center higher education in Scandinavia.
The city is home to the largest Cathedral in Scandinavia.
View of the Cathedral. Photo samisamsams
Uppasala is great place For lovers of art and architecture, there are countless attractions here!
№10
Trondheim, Norway
Trondheim has a population of 169,972 people. The former capital of Norway was founded in 997 by Viking leader Olav Tryggvason, whose legacy lives on to this day.
Trondheim. Photo boris & sandro erceg
The picturesque town is known for its colorful wooden houses (now warehouses) along the river and the colorful Nidaros Cathedral.
Nidaros Cathedral. Photo by gusch_photography
Modern Trondheim is a thriving student town and the technology capital of Norway.
№9
Odense, Denmark
The population of this city is 172,512 people. The well-known birthplace of the fabulous extraordinary writer Hans Christian Andersen, Odense makes the most of associations with the figure of Hans, museums and even streetlights are often depicted in the form of his silhouette.
Odense. Photo by roxannetour
The city has the country's best zoo, fascinating historical museums, and several art galleries.
Kongens Have. Photo by Ian Woodward
The striking feature of the city is outdoor garden Kongens Have, ideal for relaxing while sightseeing. It is worth carefully exploring all the sights of the city - there are a lot of them!
№8
Stavanger, Norway
Stavanger has a population of approximately 203,771 people. This city may be known to you as Norway's oil mine, but that doesn't make it unattractive for tourists. In fact, many of them visit the oil museum, which is actually much more interesting than it seems. Stavanger is a great base from which to explore the nearby Lysefjord and enjoy strolling through its wonderful, cozy streets.
Stavanger, photo michutravel
Not far from the city is the Swords in the Stone monument. The battle of 872 was immortalized here. The monument was opened by the Norwegian king Olaf V. and consists of three swords 10 meters high, stuck into the rocks near the Havrsfjord fjord.
Three swords. Photo by illesmedia
№7
Bergen, Norway
Bergen has a population of 247,731 people. It is the second largest city in Norway and former capital, but is best known for its rainy weather. Its unique architecture and proximity to the scenic fjord region make it one of the city's busiest tourist destinations.
Views of Bergen. Photo by Phil Rogers
The Bryggen waterfront, a UNESCO heritage site, attracts incredible numbers of tourists every year.
Bryggen embankment. Photo by Çağla Şar
But the most beauty of Bergen lies in its narrow streets. Here you will find beautifully restored architecture that amazes with its fabulousness and beauty.
Streets of Bergen. Photo isabelcharlotteviktoria
№6
Aarhus, Denmark
The city's population is 264,716 people. The old part of Aarhus amazes with its architecture and is a must-see.
Center of Aarhus. Photo by guo.kailin
Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark.
The old part of Aarhus. Photo by Kristina Pišl Toličič
Despite its size, the city center is surprisingly compact, but there is a lot there: a harbor, a park, shops, restaurants, hotels and beaches.
One of the streets of Aarhus. Photo: karajuli.a
№5
Malmo, Sweden
Malmö has a population of 301,706 people. The city itself is quite small, but Malmö is part of a network of cities.
Malmö embankment. Photo by een_wasbeer
Almost one million people live near this city. The remarkable Oresund Bridge connects Malmö with Copenhagen, allowing travel between the countries.
Oresund Bridge. Photo reinoldgober
The city's population is young, almost half of the residents are under 35 years of age. When it comes to tourism, Malmö inevitably finds itself in the shadow of its more famous neighbor Copenhagen, but the Swedish town is quite cute and attractive to tourists. A small fortress dating back to 1436 is located here - Malmöhus Castle.
Malmöhus Castle. Photo by fox11chris
№4
Gothenburg, Sweden
The city's population is 581,822 people. Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden. Famous for its Dutch-style canals and boulevards.
Gothenburg. Photosbyayk
The gardens and amusement park in Liseberg and the Film Festival, which takes place in January every year, attract a large number of tourists. However, the city has a pleasant atmosphere, with plenty of green space to relax in, and a walk along the riverside is ideal for observing the active life of the city.
Gothenburg. Photo by rob_kavtia_jr
It is definitely worth visiting the old part of the city - the Haga manor palace and the shipyards near the harbor.
№3
Oslo, Norway
The population of the capital of Norway is 942,084 people.
Oslo. Photo more.of.vintage133
Oslo has grown significantly in recent years, attracting immigrants from all over the world. The city itself has about 600,000 people, but the total population living around the Oslofjord reaches a million. There are a lot of attractions here, as in any capital of the world.
Oslo. Photo by Dmitry Tkachenko
№2
Copenhagen, Denmark
The population of Copenhagen is 1,295,686 people. The magnificent Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, Nyhavn and much more attract a lot of tourists.
Christiansborg. Photo by lululionheart
The Danish capital attracts design lovers from all over the world with its world-famous district.
Nyhavn. Photo charlyglobetrotting
The city is a paradise for cyclists, with outstanding infrastructure for them, including traffic lights and traffic priority over cars.
Copenhagen. Photo by mr_babdellahn
№1
Stockholm, Sweden
The population of the capital of Sweden is 1,515,017 people. The city is large enough to offer a variety of neighborhoods to suit everyone's tastes.
Gamla Stan. Photo by cvladulescu
Tourists fill the narrow alleys of Gamla Stan, while hipsters flock to the south of the city to the Södermalm street area. However, outside the city limits lie the real delights of Stockholm.
Södermalm. Photo by wandering_paulie
Some 25,000 islands of all shapes and sizes make up the Stockholm archipelago, an incredibly popular destination for summer holiday among the Swedes. Boat trip here - unforgettable impression, and reminds us that even residents of Scandinavia's biggest cities lead active, outdoor lifestyles.
September 29, 2017Which countries belong to Scandinavia? Where is this region located and why is it interesting? You will find answers to these and other questions in our article. As well as a complete list of Scandinavian countries. In addition, we will tell you about the main geographical, historical, cultural and ethnolinguistic features of this region.
List of Scandinavian countries
Scandinavia is a historical and cultural region located in the northern part of Europe. Its “geographical basis” is the peninsula of the same name with an area of 800 thousand square kilometers. In addition, the borders of Scandinavia also include the Jutland Peninsula and a number of nearby islands in the Norwegian, Baltic, North and Barents Seas.
What countries are included in Scandinavia? Traditionally, only three states are included in it: Sweden, Norway and Denmark. However, here many geographers have a logical question: why is Iceland not part of the region? After all, it is more “Scandinavian” than Denmark.
Based on the above, we can highlight a more complete list of Scandinavian countries. And to some extent it correlates with the cultural and political concept of “Northern European countries”. This list includes five states:
- Norway.
- Sweden.
- Finland.
- Iceland.
- Denmark (as well as its two autonomous regions - Greenland and the Faroe Islands).
All this is Scandinavia. We found out which countries are included in it. But why did the region get this name? The word “Scandinavia” itself is borrowed from medieval Latin. The name of this region is mentioned for the first time in the book “ Natural history» Pliny the Elder. It is curious that Europeans for a long time considered the Scandinavian Peninsula to be an island. It was only in the 11th century that Adam of Bremen suggested that there might be a land connection with it.
Climate and geography
The nature of Scandinavia is extremely diverse. There is everything here: mountains, swampy lowlands, lakes, and rocky archipelagos. The famous Scandinavian fjords - narrow and deep sea bays - amaze with their beauty and grandeur.
The climate varies in different parts of Scandinavia. So, on the west coast it is softer and wetter, with more precipitation. As you move north and east, it becomes drier and colder. In general, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the climate of Scandinavia is warmer than at similar latitudes in other regions of the continent.
The highest air temperature in Scandinavia was recorded in Sweden (+38 degrees), as well as the lowest (-52.5 degrees).
Population and languages
Historically, the southern parts of Scandinavia were more populated than the central and northern parts. This was facilitated primarily by the climatic features of the region. Modern inhabitants of Scandinavia are considered the ancestors of the Germans, who penetrated the peninsula around the 14th century BC. The Scandinavian states have united more than once into various political unions. The most powerful of them was the Kalmar Union, which existed from 1397 to 1523.
Norwegian, Swedish and Danish are generally mutually intelligible. Linguists attribute them to the northern branch of the Germanic group. The Finnish language is significantly different from them; it is closer to Estonian.
It should be noted that all countries included in Scandinavia are distinguished by a very high level of socio-economic development, for which economists even came up with their own specific term - “Scandinavian socialism”. High taxes, a decent standard of living, the absence of sharp contrasts between “rich” and “poor” and high life expectancy are the main features of these states. In the global ranking of the Human Development Index (HDI), Scandinavian countries (except Finland) are in the top twenty.
Sweden
The Kingdom of Sweden is a state entirely located within the Scandinavian Peninsula. The fifth largest country in Europe. Today it is home to about ten million people. The capital of Sweden is the city of Stockholm.
Sweden is a country of innovation, high technology and a skilled workforce. In the second half of the twentieth century, from a fairly poor agricultural state, in just a few decades it managed to turn into one of the richest countries in the world. The formula for the “Swedish economic miracle” is simple: export of its own natural resources (primarily timber and iron ore) and the parallel development of knowledge-intensive industries.
5 most interesting and unexpected facts about Sweden:
- the country is the world leader in bearing production;
- a Swedish passport gives a person the opportunity to travel without visas almost all over the world;
- the country completely recycles all its garbage;
- 90% of the country's population speaks English fluently;
- In Sweden, any physical violence against children (including harmless spanking on the “soft spot”) is prohibited by law.
Norway
The Kingdom of Norway is a state occupying the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In addition, it owns a number of adjacent islands (including the Spitsbergen archipelago). The capital of Norway is the city of Oslo. The population is 5.3 million people.
Norway is Europe's largest oil and gas producer. At the same time, the country meets its own electricity needs exclusively through hydropower. The state also has a very developed non-ferrous metallurgy, forestry, chemical and fishing industries.
5 most interesting and unexpected facts about Norway:
- “If you don’t like the Norwegian weather, wait 15 minutes” - this saying very accurately describes the country’s changeable climate;
- Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe;
- Norwegian children are incredibly beautiful;
- the level of population connection to high-speed Internet is 99.9%;
- 80% of Norwegians own either a boat or a motorboat.
Denmark
The Kingdom of Denmark is a state located on the Jutland Peninsula and 409 islands. Washed by the waters of the Northern and Baltic seas. Population: 5.7 million people. The capital is the city of Copenhagen.
Denmark is a country with very high salaries, low unemployment, but high taxes. Leading sectors of the economy: mechanical engineering, metalworking, textile industry and highly developed livestock farming. Denmark's main export products are meat, fish, radio electronics, furniture and medicines.
5 most interesting and unexpected facts about Denmark:
- according to recent studies, the Danes are the happiest people on the planet;
- Denmark is famous in Europe for its amazing and delicious baked goods;
- almost all stores in this country close at 5-6 pm;
- the most recognizable Danish brand - LEGO children's construction set;
- Danes love to ride bicycles.
Finally…
Scandinavia is a historical and cultural region in northern Europe. Three states are usually included in it. The full list of Scandinavian countries includes Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. All these countries are distinguished by high income levels, high-quality medicine and very low corruption.
Scandinavia is called geographical region, located in northern Europe, on the peninsula of the same name.
The term “Scandinavia” is a general concept and is used as a synonym for the Scandinavian countries and the countries of Northern Europe, which includes three countries: Norway, Finland, Sweden, and at the same time also Iceland and Denmark, which look great on the world map.
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These countries, with the exception of their close proximity, have a number of holistic advantages:
- cohesion;
- high level of well-being;
- growth of economic stability;
- relatively small population;
- peoples speak similar Scandinavian languages.
Small country
Norway is a small country, however, on the world stage it navy takes fourth place. Norwegians are rightfully famous for their own shipbuilding. Most of the population is engaged in fishing, and also in logging. The capital of the country - Oslo - is an industrial city and major port. Norway is a monarchy (constitutional), including 19 provinces. Its main beauties are: the Viking Ship Museum, the Holmenkoln springboard, the Vigellan sculpture park, and the Kontiki Museum.
The wild nature and beautiful landscapes of Norway fascinate tourists with colorful fjords, glaciers, rushing waterfalls and valleys covered with luxurious flora.
Member of the European Union
Finland is a Scandinavian state in northern Europe, a member of the EU (European Union) and the Schengen Agreement, bordering the Russian Federation (RF), Norway and Sweden.
Finland - the “land of a thousand lakes” does not own the rich natural resources, but is famous for forest and water. A significant part of the country - Lapland - is located beyond the Arctic Circle. They wash the country of Bothnia and Finnish bays, the coast of which is indented by shallow bays. The climate is temperate continental due to the warm Gulf Stream and the abundance of inland water bodies. A characteristic indicator of the nature of Finland is the polar night. The indigenous inhabitants are Finns and Swedes, religion is Lutheran. The population is about 5 million people.
No less significant for the country’s economy are natural reserves. And it's not just forest that covers a large part of Finland. According to UNESCO, this country ranks first in the world in terms of groundwater quality. Here the natural springs are so impeccable that the tap water can be drunk without filtering or boiling. Currently, there has been dramatic progress in the export of Finnish drinking water. In addition, Finland has every chance to resume and speed up processes in the pulp and paper industry.
State has an excellent education system. The Finns have achieved enormous results in the development of telecommunications and methods of wood processing. In addition, they are dynamically promoting business in the northwestern area of the Russian Federation (RF). In accordance with this, studying in Finland can be the beginning for a diploma student to a successful career in a branch of one of the foreign companies in the Russian Federation.
Kingdom of Sweden
Sweden is a country, occupying the maximum part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The mountains of ancient folding (Scandinavian mountains) are rich in ore minerals. Steel produced from local iron ores is considered one of the best on the globe. Southern Sweden has a huge number of lakes, among them Venerna, and there is also a fertile hill, but the region of Småland is still the breadbasket.
Sweden - mostly one-national state With a population of approximately 9 million people, more than 90% of the inhabitants are Swedish. A temperate continental climate is the achievement of two circumstances: the entry of cold air from the Arctic and the entry of warm, humid air currents from the Atlantic.
Sweden is a monarchy (constitutional). Every year, the King of Sweden awards honorary Nobel Prizes to five of the world's most outstanding scientists and social activists. The country consists of 24 provinces. The capital of the country is the city of Stockholm, it has many attractions and museums, for example, the national one; ethnographic which is located in the open air; Vasa Museum; Milles Garden and Treasury.
It is also worth noting the fact that Sweden, which once dominated Northern Europe, has not taken part in wars for almost 190 years, maintaining political neutrality.
Sweden has a developed economic structure and high standard of living of the population. The following industries directly serve as the base:
- woodworking;
- pulp and paper industry;
- metallurgy;
- mechanical engineering and hydropower.
Sweden is considered a music exporter. For example, the popularity of the ABBA ensemble exceeded all expectations and broke all records in the history of pop music. It is impossible not to mention the children's fairy tale “The Kid and Carlson,” familiar to millions of children, written by the wonderful writer A. Lindgren.
Pearl of Scandinavia
Denmark - the pearl of Scandinavia, which occupies the maximum share of the Jutland Peninsula and a number of nearby islands, which includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The management program includes 14 areas. The capital of Denmark is the city of Copenhagen, where the central tourist attractions are concentrated: a monument to the children's writer Hans Christian Andersen, the famous storyteller of the 19th century, the famous sculpture of the Little Mermaid, the Amalienborg palace complex (18th century), etc. By the way, it is worth noting that historical cultural monuments in Denmark date back to the 8th - 7th millennia BC.
Political system- a constitutional monarchy. The official language is Danish. Religion - Lutheranism. Ethnic groups: Danes, Frisians, Germans, Faroese.
The climate is temperate, smoothed by the North Atlantic Current. Denmark is a country covered with elevated hills.
Iceland. This country is located in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, despite its circumpolar location, the climate is mild: on the coast the average temperature in January is from 0 to 2°C, in July - from 10 to 15°C. This is explained by the influence of the Gulf Stream, which prevents the island from transforming into an Arctic desert.
The basis of the economy is fishing and Agriculture. The unique nature of Iceland is the most important asset of the Iceland, and state parks and the Haukadalur geyser valley, volcanoes and glaciers, waterfalls and fjords are its treasure. The city of Reykjavik is the capital, which is famous for: the Natural History Museum.
National Museum, monument to Leif Eriksson, etc. This look is complemented by gorgeous flora.
However, if you are planning to visit the Scandinavian countries on your own, then a car map (Garmin) will certainly help you.
Road map of Scandinavian countries for compatible Garmin navigators, contains detailed road maps and memorable places for your device, where you can move without problems, note, the language is Russian: with the right tips, turn-by-turn for every address, intersection, restaurant complexes, gas stations and much more, much more. Thus, Scandinavia (the Scandinavian peninsula) is a storehouse of historical and cultural values.
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This question comes up quite often in discussions. In fact, there is not such a simple answer to this question. The answer to what Scandinavia is varies depending on the context of the question and who you ask. If we talk about geography, culture or language, then the options can be completely different. If you add the word “Nordic” to everything else, things take on an even more incomprehensible picture. Some use the words "Nordic" and "Scandinavian" interchangeably, while others assign a specific meaning to each word.
Naturally, I see that not everyone agrees with the definitions and concept of Scandinavia, so I have collected various terms and the aspects in which they are used to try to make sense of this chaos.
And finally understand what kind of Scandinavia this is?
What does the word "Scandinavia" mean?
The term "Scandinavia" arose in the early 18th century as a result of Danish and Swedish universities beginning to champion the shared history, mythology, art and culture of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Let me remind you that until 1814, Sweden and Norway were actually united into one kingdom. Scania is a historical region in southern Sweden, consisting of the three former Danish provinces of Skåne, Halland and Blekinge, approximately coinciding this moment with three modern counties: Skåne, Halland and Blekinge. Until 1658, Scania was part of Denmark under the name Eastern Provinces. The island of Bornholm, then transferred to Sweden, but later returned to Denmark, is also sometimes included in Scania. This is what ultimately gave rise to the term “Scandinavia”.
Scandinavian geography
Let's start with something simple. Scandinavia is geographically limited to three countries: Denmark, Sweden and Norway (commonly, the Scandinavian Peninsula and adjacent islands). Greenland (owned by Denmark), and the Faroe Islands (self-governing part of Denmark), are also included in this list.
Finland and Iceland are not part of Scandinavia geographically.
Scandinavian language
If you've ever studied comparative linguistics, you've probably heard of the North Germanic languages. They belong to the branch of Germanic languages, a subgroup of Indo-European languages. North Germanic languages include Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Faroese and Icelandic.
So what language is spoken in Scandinavia? The term "Scandinavian languages" refers exclusively to three languages that are mutually understood (in theory) by native speakers of each language: Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.
Finnish is part of the Uralic language family, which also includes Estonian and Hungarian. Swedish is one of the official languages of Finland, and Swedish-speaking Finns make up 5% of the population. This dialect is called Finnish Swedish (suomenruotsi).
Scandinavian culture
This is probably the most widely used context for conversations about Scandinavia, and also the least understood. When we refer to Scandinavian culture, most of all we mean the shared history, traditions, literature and design. As Scandinavian design has become popular throughout the world, the term is often used when talking about the minimalist design traditions of mid-century modern.
Because the histories and traditions of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland are so intertwined, this group of five countries is often called culturally Scandinavian. The political systems in all these countries, especially the patterns of organization, are similar, but not identical. When we talk about the “Nordic” or “Scandinavian” model of society, we usually mean all five countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway).
The history of Finnish design and architecture is closely connected and intertwined with the culture of other regions of Scandinavia, and it would be a mistake to exclude Finland from this list (for example, an architect such as Alvar Aalto) when discussing Scandinavian design. It is therefore considered reasonable to include both Iceland and Finland in discussions of Scandinavia in the context of a cultural region. It would probably be more logical to refer to “Nordic culture.”
Additional questions on the topic
Is Finland part of Scandinavia?
It depends on political and geographical attitudes. Finland is part of the Nordic countries, but does not belong to the Scandinavian region. From a linguistic point of view, Finland is classified in a special category, since the official language of the majority of the population is not related to the Scandinavian languages. However, in Finland there is significant use of Scandinavian (particularly Swedish) languages, with Swedish being the official language.
Culturally, Finland can certainly be considered Scandinavia. From history, social patterns to design traditions, Finland is closely connected to other Scandinavian countries. In terms of design, famous Finnish brands such as Artek, Marimekko and Friends of Industry fall into the Scandinavian design heritage.
Is Iceland part of Scandinavia?
Iceland is not included in Scandinavia when discussing politics and geography. However, Iceland is part of Northern Europe. From a linguistic point of view, Icelandic belongs to the North Germanic subgroup of languages and is the closest to the Old Norse language, so native speakers of Icelandic can easily read the Old Norse sagas in the original.
Are the Faroe Islands part of Scandinavia?
Definitely yes! The Faroe Islands are an autonomous region, but it belongs to Denmark, so by any definition it is considered part of Scandinavia. However, Faroese culture and language can be considered separate from Scandinavian culture and language. But in any case, the Faroese language belongs to the linguistic group of North Germanic languages. So yes twice.
What does the word "Nordic" mean?
Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, a proponent of pan-Scandinavianism, wrote a poem in 1839, “I Am a Scandinavian,” he noted that he wanted to convey “the beauty of the northern spirit.” In fact, the words “Scandinavian” and “Nordic” were synonymous.
The word "Nordic" can be used to refer to the geography and politics of the Nordic region, which includes: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland.
