Scandinavia is (only) three nations (3); Denmark, Norway and Sweeden. The reasons for seeing the three countries as one region is not of geographic or geological (peninsula) origin, but rather a cultural and ethnic/genetic thing - we have basicly the same language. "Norden" (The North) includes two more nations (5 totaly) - Iceland and Finland.
Jens Bladt mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hjem.get2net.dk/bladt -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- Fra: Anders Hultman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sendt: 13. maj 2004 21:20 Til: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Emne: Re: SV: Reply, antwort, svar etc On Thu, 13 May 2004, Keith Whaley wrote: > Please excuse my ignorance, but where do the Finns fit in? > I always think of Scandinavia as being comprised of 4 countries, yet it > seems most Scandinavians don't include Finland. Which four? > When looking up Scandinavia, my dictionary says it's comprised of > Denmark, Sweden and Norway, but then says, "...and sometimes Finland and > Iceland." > > Why is that? Historic and cultural reasons, mainly. All these five countries have in some point in time had the same king as at least one of the others. Many people over here think of all five countries as belonging together, and don't distinguish that much between what should be called "Scandinavia" or "The Nordic Region" or whatever. But to be correct I suppose that Scandinavia proper should be just Sweden and Norway, since they are located on the Scandinavian peninsula while the others are not. anders ------------------------- http://anders.hultman.nu/ med dagens bild och allt!
