Quck answer

Scandinavia is a region in Northern Europe that includes the countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It is located in the northern part of the continent, bordered by the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The region is known for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and high standard of living. While often confused with the Nordic countries, which also include Finland and Iceland, Scandinavia specifically refers to these three countries. The term “Scandinavia” originates from the name of an ancient Germanic tribe called the “Scandnavi,” who inhabited the region during the Viking Age.

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When you think about the Aurora Borealis and the fjords, which countries come to mind? Norway? Sweden? Maybe you’ve heard these countries being referred to as Scandinavian countries. But where exactly is Scandinavia located?

Scandinavia is a region in Northern Europe that shares a common historical, cultural, and linguistic Germanic background. This region includes the modern countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Scandinavia is often confused with another geographical term: the Scandinavian Peninsula. The Scandinavian Peninsula consists of the modern countries of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It is believed to be the largest peninsula in Europe, stretching about 1,150 miles long and varying from 230 to 500 miles wide.

Although Finland is part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, it is not typically considered a Scandinavian country. Despite its proximity to Sweden and Norway, Finland does not share the same Germanic cultural and linguistic heritage as these countries.

Sometimes, the Scandinavian countries are grouped together with Finland and Iceland and referred to as the Nordic countries. This term recognizes their similar location and climate.

The Scandinavian languages – Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish – are similar and can be understood by people in each of the Scandinavian countries with some training. Finnish, spoken in Finland, is completely unrelated to the Scandinavian languages, which further explains why Finland is not usually considered Scandinavian.

The Scandinavian people are descendants of ancient Germanic tribes who migrated to the area from Northern Germany. These tribes spoke an old Germanic language that eventually developed into Old Norse.

In the Early Middle Ages, Scandinavians were known as Norsemen. The Norse culture gave rise to distinctive cultural groups, such as the Vikings.

Despite their shared heritage, the modern countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are geographically diverse. From the fjords of Norway to the lowlands of Denmark to the archipelagos of Sweden, the lands of Scandinavia take on various forms.

Most people reside in the warmer, southern regions of these countries. However, the far northern parts of Norway and Sweden approach the Arctic Circle and can be very cold. In today’s Scandinavia, you can find both warm and inviting coastlines along with cold and harsh tundra!

Give It a Try

Are you ready to explore Scandinavia? Ask a friend or family member to help you discover the following activities:

Exploring Scandinavia

Here is a blank map of Scandinavia and its surrounding regions. You can download and print it out. Can you fill in the names of the countries on the map, along with their capitals and other major cities? Make sure to mark the following places on your map:

• Denmark
• Sweden
• Norway
• Finland
• Copenhagen
• Stockholm
• Oslo
• Helsinki

If you were to visit Scandinavia, what are some of the sights you would want to see? With the help of an adult, you can use the Internet to find pictures and information about the following famous Scandinavian attractions:

• Northern Lights
• Denmark’s castles
• Legoland
• Polar World
• Briksdal Glacier

As you learned in today’s Wonder of the Day, the languages of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are similar, while the language of Finland is quite different. You can use an online translator to translate the following words into these different languages:

• hello
• goodbye
• school
• teacher
• student

Wonder Sources

• http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/scandinaviatripplanning/qt/funfacts.htm
• http://ngkids.co.uk/cool_stories/1257/10_facts_about_the_vikings
• http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/norway.html
• http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/swedenw.html