The Scandinavian countries offer a harsh northern climate, the highest quality of life and a rather interesting culture.
Scandinavia is traditionally called the North of Europe, or rather three countries that are located on the Scandinavian Peninsula and adjacent islands: Norway, Sweden and Denmark. In a broad philistine sense, Iceland and Finland are also often classified as Scandinavian countries.
Historically, Scandinavia is a land of harsh Vikings - sailors, traders and robbers rolled into one. For a long time, the Scandinavians were a big headache for the surrounding tribes, as they regularly carried out brutal raids on their neighbors.
Scandinavia map
Scandinavian sagas about brave heroes are, in fact, stories about how one of the kings (local tribal rulers) went to foreign lands, gloriously plundered them, brought mountains of goods, and the whole tribe feasted for many days, glorifying their breadwinner. The richer the booty, the greater the feat in the eyes of his fellow tribesmen.
Some of the Vikings became famous not only for robberies, but also for great geographical discoveries (Eric the Red, for example). But this is rather a pleasant bonus - the Scandinavians went across the three seas in search of rich booty, and not out of love for the unknown.
Scandinavia - the birthplace of the Vikings Visa to Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland: documents
All Scandinavian countries are part of the Schengen zone and have uniform rules for visa documents. The list includes:
- A form that can be filled out for an electronic visa on the websites of Visa Application Centers of specific countries (see websites below)
- A foreign passport valid for at least three months as of the date of return from the trip (for Iceland, you must also attach copies of each page of the passport with marks)
- Photocopies of old Schengen visas (if they are pasted into the previous passport, attach a photocopy of its first page and the visas that are pasted into it)
- 2 color photos 3.5x4.5 cm on a white background (for Finland, the background needs a light gray)
Schengen visa to Sweden - Receipt of payment of application fees (can be paid at the visa application center)
- A copy of the Russian Federation passport (all completed pages), children under 14 must attach a photocopy of the birth certificate, from 14 to 18 years old - both a photocopy of the saint and a photocopy of the Russian Federation passport (for Iceland a copy of all pages is required, even blank ones)
- Certificate: for workers - from their place of work, for students and schoolchildren - from their place of study, and a bank certificate confirming the availability of an account
- Hotel reservations can be made on Booking.com
- Booking train, air or ferry tickets
- Medical policy covering travel dates, coverage amount not less than 30,000 euros, In the “coverage area” column you must indicate “all Schengen countries”
- Consent to the processing of personal data (the form can be found on the visa websites below)
- Notarized consent to take a child to the Schengen area if one of the parents (or both) does not accompany the minor citizen of the Russian Federation on the trip
Consulate of Finland in St. Petersburg Attention! Despite the general nature of the requirements, when applying for a visa to a specific Scandinavian country, additional nuances and document requirements may arise; please check with the Visa Centers for details.
More detailed information about the rules, terms and cost of a visa can be found on the following sites:
What language is spoken in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland?
In addition to common geography, the Scandinavian countries have a common culture and history. In each of the Scandinavian countries you will meet Finns, Swedes, Norwegians and representatives of small Scandinavian tribes and nationalities living there.
Sports fans from Sweden The most common language in Scandinavia is Swedish: it is spoken by residents of Sweden and some citizens of Finland. In Finnish schools, basic learning of the Swedish language is included in the compulsory curriculum.
Finnish is the official language of Finland, which can also be found in Sweden and Norway in the form of different dialects of local Finnish communities
Iceland was a Danish protectorate for a long time, so Icelandic and Danish languages are found in both Denmark and Iceland. German is also spoken in Denmark.
In Norway, things are interesting with languages. Due to the huge variety of dialects in the country, there are two official Norwegian languages and two national scripts. In general, the Norwegian language is very close in origin to the Icelandic and Danish languages
The Sami are the most widespread ethnic group in Finland. Most urban residents of Scandinavia can speak English (basic level).
What is the currency in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland?
All five countries have a single currency in official circulation: the euro. One euro is equal to 100 euro cents. Banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 euro cents, 1 and 2 euros are in circulation.
Currency can be exchanged at bank branches and at hotel receptions. Bank cards are accepted for payment everywhere, and there are terminals in every locality.
Euro is the official currency of the Scandinavian countries Time difference with Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland
The time difference between Moscow and the Scandinavian countries is:
- Iceland, Reykjavik: -3 hours
- Denmark, Copenhagen: -1 hour
- Norway, Oslo: -1 hour
- Finland, Helsinki: time coincides with Moscow
- Sweden, Stockholm: -1 hour
The time difference with Moscow in Scandinavia is from 3 to 1 hour New Year in Scandinavia: celebration, relaxation
Scandinavian countries are the most suitable place to celebrate the New Year. Somewhere, in the kingdom of eternal snow, there live real experts in winter entertainment and magical Christmas stories.
Winter holidays in the Scandinavian countries are, first of all, excellent excursions (read about the attractions of the Scandinavian countries below), and secondly, there are wonderful ski resorts (for more information about alpine skiing in Scandinavia, see).
But the main goal in Scandinavia, if you are traveling with children, is, of course, a trip to Santa Claus (or rather, to his Scandinavian brothers).
New Year in Scandinavia Santa Claus Village in Finland
The largest residence of Santa Claus in Scandinavia is located near the Finnish city of Rovaniemi. Santa Park (that’s the name of the residence) is a whole fairy-tale city, which can be reached from Rovaniemi by regular bus in just 15 minutes.
In Santa Park you will find a lot of entertainment for children and adults: Mrs. Claus's gingerbread kitchen, the Post Office and Elf Toy Factory, reindeer sledding, ice rides and, of course, the main event for every visitor to Santa Park - a personal date with Santa Claus .
Santa Park is located on the edge of the Arctic Circle, where you can see the stunning aurora and be immersed in the polar night for days. The park has an official website in Russian, where you will find any additional information.
Santa Park in Rovaniemi, Finland Residence of Santa Claus in Norway
In Norway, the residence of Santa Claus is located 300 km from Oslo in the town of Savalen. The local Santa Claus is called Julenissen, and his possessions are much more modest than the Finnish ones. But there is something to have fun here too.
You can visit Julenissen's office, where he reads letters from children, go to the local petting zoo with northern animals, treat yourself to ginger waffles and visit a gift factory.
In winter, not far from Julenissen's residence, a small ski resort with children's slopes opens. Dog sledding, reindeer sledding and snowmobiling are available. A good SPA center and Finnish sauna are open here all year round.
Tomteland - Santa Claus Village in Sweden Where to find Santa Claus in Denmark?
Unfortunately, there is no Santa Claus village in the Kingdom of Denmark. But here every year you can see not just one, but hundreds of Santa Clauses from all over the world.
The World Santa Claus Congress traditionally takes place in July, lasts a whole week and includes in its program such important issues as the size of gingerbread cookies, the technique of moving in a chimney, the most fashionable gifts and much more.
During the congress in Copehagen, you can see the Santa Claus parade, take part in various shows and chat with real elves. See the official World Santa Claus Congres website.
World Santa Claus Congress in Denmark Santa Claus in Iceland
Iceland is the most pagan of the Scandinavian countries, where Christian traditions have still not taken root very well, so Santa is a rather rare guest in Iceland. Instead of one kind grandfather, 15 harmful old men come to Icelandic children at once and instead of gifts they bring complete troubles.
In general, the presence of Santa Claus in Iceland is limited to branded mailboxes in which children drop their letters. But you won’t be able to meet directly with the local Santa Claus.
Yule - harmful Christmas old people in Iceland Scandinavia Ferry Tours: Sweden, Finland
A very popular type of travel in the Scandinavian countries is ferry cruises from St. Petersburg. Tours are available all year round; you can purchase such a trip at any travel agency in Russia.
The routes and duration are different - from 3 days to two weeks. The price includes travel by bus from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, then the journey continues in a cabin (the level of comfort depends on your choice) of a modern ferry vessel.
Ferry boat on a cruise in Scandinavia The ferry provides food, entertainment, souvenir kiosks and shops. The ferry stops daily in one of the Scandinavian capitals. Group excursions around the city are offered on board. If you wish, you can take a walk on your own.
Some programs require overnight stays in a hotel for 1-2 nights (the choice of hotel category can also be made when ordering a tour).
The big advantage of such trips is the presence of a Russian-speaking escort, an expedited procedure for obtaining a visa and a certain comfort: you don’t feel the sway on the ferry, you live an ordinary hotel life here, but every day your “hotel” ends up in a new place - compared to bus excursions, this is huge plus.
You can roughly estimate the cost of traveling by ferry.
Cabin on a ferry boat in Scandinavia Bus tours in Scandinavia
Bus tours to Scandinavia are another opportunity to see as many sights as possible in Northern Europe in one trip. Groups depart from St. Petersburg. The first leg of the journey usually involves a ferry to one of the Scandinavian countries, then you transfer to a bus and continue your journey.
Tours can be combined in different ways: duration, route and options for ferry and bus transportation depend on your wishes and specific tour operator programs. Within one tour, you can choose hotel categories and cabin comfort levels.
You can view options for ready-made bus tours around Scandinavia.
Copenhagen, Denmark Scandinavian countries
Sweden
Sweden is the most Scandinavian of all the Nordic countries. This country gave the world Carlson, the ABBA group, IKEA furniture and the Nobel Prize. The main values of the Swedes are practicality, simplicity and restraint.
Sweden is a monarchy, but the king shares power with parliament and is more of an honorary figurehead. The Swedes adore their king, love everything with the prefix “eco”, and adhere to the ironclad rule “do not harm nature.” Interesting fact: in Sweden it is allowed to enter private property and walk on other people's lands, provided they treat nature with care.
Stockholm, Sweden Summer holidays, attractions of Sweden
The most notable museums in Sweden: Vasa Ship Museum, Nobel Museum (interactive gallery of award winners), National Museum of Sweden (painting exhibition), Stockholm Architecture Museum (very strange building models), Stockholm Historical Museum (Viking treasures), Stockholm Natural History Museum (very interesting for children because many interactive exhibits) and the Museum of the Middle Ages (all about knights).
Vasa Ship Museum, Sweden The most interesting castles and fortresses: Vadstena Abbey (14th century monastery), Gripsholm Castle (royal residence), Drottingholm Castle (local Versailles), Örebro, Malmö and Kalmar castles (dark Middle Ages)
Orebro Castle, Sweden Globe Arena and Skyview– a venue for world-class sports competitions and concerts – a modern building with a huge spherical dome, to the top of which there is a special capsule funicular. The highest point of the funicular is at a bird's eye view and offers panoramic views of Stockholm in full view.
Globe Arena and Skyview lift in Sweden Skansen– open-air folklore museum. This is an entire village that represents the traditional way of life in Sweden in the 19th-20th centuries. The village is “populated” by actors-animators in national costumes, who play the role of artisans, traders and ordinary people.
Skansen Museum in Sweden Gamla Stan– the old center of Stockholm, a colorful medieval area with urban development traditional for Scandinavia at that time
Gamla Stan district in Sweden Longholmen Prison– a former medieval dungeon, which currently houses a museum, restaurant and hotel at the same time. Hotel guests are provided with a prison uniform (optional), and on the walls of the rooms, which were once prison cells, information about their most famous prisoners is posted.
Hotel-prison in Longholm. Sweden Royal Palace in Stockholm– the current residence of the Swedish monarchs, which is available for visits by tourists.
Unibakken- the town-museum of the Swedish storyteller Astrid Lindgren, inhabited by the heroes of her works: “Baby and Carlosn”, “Pippi Longstocking”, “Madiken and Pims from Junibakken”.
Junibakken Park, Sweden Emporia– a mega-shopping center in Malmö, a mecca for local and visiting shopaholics, 200 stores of shoes, clothing and household items, as well as very unusual interiors.
What to bring from Sweden?
- A figurine of a moose is a national symbol, the most popular souvenir
- Swedish crystal - high quality products and extremely unusual designs
- Swedish chocolate is not inferior in quality to Swiss and Belgian
- Clothing - Swedish brands are almost unknown in Russia, but are highly valued in Europe for their quality and practicality
Moose figurine - a traditional souvenir from Sweden Norway
Norway is a land of brave discoverers (the most famous are Thor Heyerdahl and Fridtjof Nansen), Norwegian fjords and, oddly enough, very friendly people. The harsh Nordic character here is manifested in everything: in the local landscapes of the harsh North, in folk legends, heroic figures of the Norwegians and their traditional entertainment.
Oslo is the capital of Norway Recreation in summer and winter, attractions of the kingdom
Royal Palace in Oslo- the residence of the Norwegian kings, who are alive and rule the country to this day. The palace is open to tourists, but group tours are only in Swedish; to tour with an English- or Russian-speaking guide, you must make a reservation in advance.
Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway Vigeland Park– a huge exhibition of sculptures (more than 200) by the Swedish sculptor Gustav Vigeland (in some places his work is strongly reminiscent of Tsereteli).
Bryggen- a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a medieval embankment quarter in the center of Bergen, which is familiar to almost everyone from tourist postcards and booklets of Norway.
Bryggen - promenade in Bergen, Norway Oslo History Museum– an archaeological, ethnographic and art museum in one bottle, a huge exhibition.
Heni Unst Center d – museum of modern art and cultural center. Installations by local artists and concerts of ethnic music will drive the most sophisticated connoisseurs of modern artistic expressions crazy.
Norwegian Armed Forces Museum– an exhibition of weapons, camping equipment and the soldier’s life of Norwegian warriors from the early Viking era to the Second World War.
Sculpture in the center of Heni Unstad, Norway Museums in honor of famous Norwegians:“Kon-Tiki” (about Thor Heyerdahl), Ibsen’s house-museum, Trollhaugen (Edvard Grieg’s estate), Exhibition-museum of paintings by Munch (the author of the famous painting “The Scream”).
Rosencrantz Tower and Hawkons Hall– an early medieval fortification structure and residence of King Haakon Haakonsson of Norway (XIII century).
Norwegian Museum of Ethnography– a folklore city with active infrastructure (craft shops, church, farm), interactive exhibitions (village and city life) and natural houses, carefully moved from different parts of Norway.
Haakon's Palace and Rosencrantz Tower, Norway Cruises in the Norwegian Fjords. Fishing in Norway
Fjords of Norway
Norwegian fjords (bays) are a unique terrain that was formed during the Ice Age. A prehistoric glacier left deep cracks and fissures in the rocks of Norway, which eventually filled with water.
The fjords are the real pride of Norwegians and one of the main attractions for which tourists from all over the world come to this harsh northern region.
Hardangerfjord, Norway The most famous fjords in Norway: Hardangerfjord (blooming fruit trees, mild climate, waterfalls), Geirangerfjord (picturesque villages and the best fishing), Lysefjord (inaccessible mesmerizing cliffs), Sognefjord (glacier, national park and fairy-tale houses along the banks).
The best way to travel through the Norwegian fjords is a cruise, which will allow you to see the most inaccessible shores and stunning panoramic views of the coastline. Cruises come in different durations (usually a week) and a wide variety of routes (the entire coastline of Norway is indented with hundreds of bays of various sizes).
Fjord cruises run from April to October. You can see approximate programs and costs of fjord cruises.
Sognefjord, Norway Fishing in Norway
Fishing in Norway is not just a hobby, but something akin to a national sport and a local attraction in one bottle. In any travel guide you will find “Fishing in Norway” among the first suggestions on the list.
The most popular among tourists are sea fishing and fishing in the fjords. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, the local waters are simply teeming with marine reptiles of various sizes, so even the most novice fishermen will be lucky. Typically, fishing is offered as a separate excursion on land-based tours and as entertainment on board cruise ships.
Sea fishing in Norway What to bring from Norway?
- A figurine of a troll, a favorite folklore character of the Norwegians, or a small copy of a Viking boat
- Norwegian aquatite is an alcoholic drink made from potatoes and caraway seeds, which (attention!!!) is specially sent on ships to Australia and back so that a bottle of aquatite crosses the equator twice - only this way, according to the Norwegians, allows the drink to achieve the desired strength and consistency ( Equator crossing dates and ship name are indicated on each bottle)
- Branded knitted items with ornaments
- Brown Norwegian cheese "Brunost"
- Smoked salmon and other seafood
- Rosemaling - a cute trinket with a traditional Norwegian floral design
Troll figurine - the best souvenir from Norway Finland
Finland stands somewhat apart from all the Scandinavian countries. The Scandinavians themselves tease the Finns for their slowness. This is a traditionally rural, sleepy country that cannot boast of big cities and luxury excursion options. But Finland has a unique charm of secluded, slow life that attracts tourists so much.
Jyvaskyla, Finland Recreation in summer and winter, fishing, attractions
- Sveaborg– a sea fort of the 18th century, on the territory of which there are currently historical, military and architectural museums.
- Karelian house in Imatra– an open-air folklore museum about the life of the Sami in the 19th century.
- Tsar's dacha in Kotka– house-museum of the family of Alexander III, summer residence of the king and his entourage. The original interior and personal belongings of the king have been preserved.
- Sculpture Park in Imatra- a section of forest in which about 500 sculptures by Finnish artist Veje Renkkenen are exhibited. The sculptures are so bizarre and frightening that the park as a whole gives the impression of a rather mystical place.
Sculpture Park in Imatra, Finland - Aleksanterinkatu– the central shopping street of Helsniki, the most fashionable place in the capital of Finland.
- Moomin Valley- theme park, one of the best children's parks in the world. The park is populated by life-size puppets of book characters, and its landscape recreates the scenes described in Tove Jansson’s fairy tales.
- Fishing- a favorite entertainment for tourists on numerous lakes in Finland. A stunning catch is guaranteed. Particularly fanatical fishermen rent comfortable wooden cottages on the shores for two or three days to fully enjoy the experience. You can find suitable houses and cottages on the website Booking.ru
Moominvalley, Finland What can you bring from Finland?
- Finka (puukko in Finnish) is a traditional hunting knife.
- A figurine or souvenir depicting a mummy troll
- Kuksa – Finnish wooden mug
- Liquorice - Finnish candy with a very strange taste
- Lapponia or Minttu – signature berry and mint liqueur
- Branded sauna accessories
Kuksa - a branded mug from Finland Denmark
Denmark is a small fairy-tale country, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Of all the Scandinavian countries, Denmark is the most interesting in terms of attractions and historical monuments.
Denmark's small size means you don't have to spend a lot of time traveling between cities. Wherever you stay, you'll have easy access to most Danish attractions. You can choose a suitable hotel for accommodation on the website Booking.com.
The Little Mermaid is a symbol of Copenhagen, Denmark Recreation, attractions of the Kingdom of Denmark
Amalienborg- the residence of the Danish kings, who live there to this day. Despite the presence of royalty, the palace is accessible to tourists, albeit at different times and with some restrictions. Every day at noon, a solemn changing of the guard ceremony takes place in front of the palace.
There are two scenarios for the ceremony: a solemn one, if the royal couple is in the palace (then the state flag is raised above it) and a shortened one, if the queen and her family are away.
Amalienborg Palace, Denmark Copenhagen City Hall- the tallest building in the city. A colonnade is available for inspection, to the top of which you will have to walk up a steep spiral staircase, as well as some interior rooms, one of which houses Olsen’s astronomical clock, the most accurate clock mechanism in the world.
Copenhagen City Hall, Denmark Christianshavn- a separate commune of Copenhagen, a “city within a city”, located in a historical fortress of the 17th century. The commune has its own rules and laws, for example, a ban on motor vehicles and the free sale of cannabis. In fact, this is a large hippie community, where it is interesting to look, but you hardly want to stay there: mild anarchy and unsanitary conditions reign throughout Christiania.
Building in Christianshavn, Denmark Numerous palaces and fortresses of Denmark: Odense (15th-century monastery), Frederiksborg (royal palace and knight's museum), Vallo (medieval shelter for homeless women, which is still in operation), Kronborg (scene of Shakespeare's Hamlet), Sønderborg (fortress founded by the great-grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, Valdemar the Great) , Hammershus (the oldest fortress in Denmark) and others.
Kronborg Fortress, Denmark Andersen's world- a museum dedicated to the work of the Great Danish Storyteller, as well as the Andersen Museum in Odense - an exhibition about the life and creative path of the writer. The museum has an interesting interactive exhibition that allows visitors to feel like the hero of one of Andersen’s fairy tales or plunge into the historical era of the times when fairy tales were written.
Monument to Andersen in Odense, Denmark Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum is a rich private collection of awkward things, puzzles, funny incidents, stupid stories and interesting facts from all over the world. This is the strangest museum collection, where they will tell you how to kill a vampire, show you a cow with two heads, amuse you with obscene jokes, tell you about different types of farts and surprise you in many other very sophisticated ways.
Ripley Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark Museums and parks in Denmark: National Art Gallery of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsen Museum (sculptures), Glypotek Carlsberg (art objects from different eras), Royal Library of Denmark, National Museum of Denmark and others.
Amusement parks: Legoland in Billund (the largest theme park in the world, in which everything except the rides is built from LEGO parts), and Tivoli Park (one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe, where you can ride rides from the late 19th to early 20th century).
Denmark in miniature, Legoland Museum, Copenhagen What to bring from Denmark?
- Gammel Dansk is a traditional local alcoholic drink that the Danes drink with or without reason: as an aperitif, for colds, for breakfast instead of coffee, in the heat for cooling, and so on.
- Danish marzipans are signature sweets that are produced here in huge quantities and in different varieties.
- Danish cheeses, especially Danablu - a crumbly blue cheese
- The best New Year's decorations in the world
- Branded LEGO sets and construction sets
- Handmade jewelry of very high quality and original Scandinavian design
Jewelry from Denmark
In many ways, Iceland deserves the epithet “the best” - the highest prices in all of Europe, the most stunning landscapes, the most closed lifestyle, the strangest and most mysterious traditions, the most blond blondes, the northernmost country in Europe.
Holidays and attractions in Iceland
- Reykjavik Town Hall- a strange futuristic building of the city administration, the premises of which often host exhibitions, cultural events and concerts. Here you can also see a unique 3D map of Iceland
- Thingvellir– national park, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hallgrimskirkja Church, Iceland - Hallgrimskirkja– a Lutheran church whose modern architecture is designed to amaze visitors to Reykjavik with a futuristic style, but in fact seems to cause an aesthetic shock
- Imagine Peace- a unique monument designed by Yoko Ono, which she simultaneously dedicated to her husband, the song “Imagine” and all the people of the planet. The structure is a concrete well, on the walls of which the inscription “Imagine peace” is engraved in different languages of the world, and from the depths of the well, powerful spotlights direct vertical rays of light, which create an optical column stretching into the heavens
View of Reykjavik, the Imagine Peace Tower and the skylight, Iceland - Esya- an ancient extinct volcano on the outskirts of Reykjavik, which is considered the patron saint of the city (unlike other Europeans, whose patrons are entirely Saints, Icelanders remained faithful to their pagan roots)
- Perlan– a cultural center and part-time boiler room (whatever Icelanders can come up with) – the most fashionable venue for cultural events in Reykjavik. There is also a restaurant, shops, a museum and a winter garden here.
Video. Iceland
Video. Denmark, Copenhagen
Video. Norway
Video. Finland, Lapland
Video. Sweden: 10 interesting facts
Scandinavia
Scandinavia includes the northern European countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.
Scandinavian countries are countries that are completely or partially located on the peninsula of the same name - Sweden, Norway and Finland. TO
Scandinavia also includes neighboring Denmark, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic languages have in common
origin, but the Finnish language stands apart.
Faroe islands
This archipelago of more than 20 islands located in the North Atlantic is home to about 47 thousand people. Before 1380
The Faroe Islands belonged to Norway, and therefore many of their inhabitants are of Norwegian origin. For the last 600 years, the islands belonged to Denmark, in 1948 it granted
them internal autonomy. The Faroese have their own parliament, the Lagting, and are also represented in the Danish parliament.
White Nights
Due to its proximity to the North Pole, winters in Scandinavia are long, frosty and snowy. In Iceland and northern areas of Finland, Norway and Sweden,
located above the Arctic Circle, in the summer the sun does not set almost 24 hours a day, and at the end of December there is a long polar night.
Natural resources
Lowland Denmark is famous for its agriculture, Finland for its lakes, Sweden for its forests, Norway for its impressive fjords (narrow
bays), and Iceland - with majestic geysers (natural hot fountains) and volcanoes. The region is rich in natural resources, in particular
oil, gas, iron and forests. Since oil was discovered in the Norwegian Sea in the 1960s, Norway has been completely self-sufficient.
this fuel and also specializes in the production of floating oil rigs. Sweden is an industrialized country in Scandinavia and one of the
richest in Europe. Fishing and shipbuilding are the most important industries in the entire region. Modern Scandinavian architecture and design,
especially in the production of furniture, metal and glass products, widely known throughout the world.
Northern peoples
More than 1000 years ago, Scandinavia was inhabited by Vikings - courageous sailors and warriors. In the 10th century, three different peoples already existed in this region:
Danes, Norwegians and Swedes. In subsequent centuries they often united. In the 16th century, Sweden became one of the strongest kingdoms in Europe. WITH
From 1563 to 1658, Sweden fought wars for dominance in the Baltic Sea. In 1700, Russia, Denmark and Poland declared war on Sweden to end
dominance in the Baltic. The war, called the Northern War, lasted 21 years. Russia conquered the eastern lands from Sweden and established itself on the Baltic shores.
Norway was dependent on the Danish kingdom until 1814, and then came under Swedish rule. Norway became an independent state in
1905
Scandinavian politics
Norway, Denmark and Sweden are constitutional monarchies, while Finland and Iceland are republics. The Scandinavian countries have always actively supported
international organizations that fight for human rights, human health and environmental protection. Many of these efforts are coordinated
Northern Council, created in 1952.
Mythology
In pre-Christian times, the ancient Scandinavians and Germans shared a common mythology. Myths, which were first passed down by word of mouth, were first recorded in
XIII century. Memory of the four main gods of Germanic-Scandinavian mythology - Tiu, Odin, Top and Freya - in modern Germanic languages
were stored in the names of the four days of the week (in English - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). Nowadays the main religion in all
Scandinavian countries are Lutherans.
Scandinavia is a historical region in Northern Europe characterized by a common ethnocultural North Germanic heritage and related languages.
This region consists of three kingdoms, and. Modern Norway and Sweden are characterized by their location on the Scandinavian Peninsula, and modern Denmark is located on Jutland and the small Danish islands.
The term Scandinavia is usually used as a cultural definition, but it also refers to a geographical area - the Scandinavian Peninsula, which takes its name from the corresponding cultural-linguistic concept. The name Scandinavia is thought to have been derived from the former Danish, now Swedish, region of Scania. The designations Scandinavia and Scandinavian came into use in the late 18th century as definitions for the three Scandinavian countries, which have a predominant Germanic population and interconnected languages and a common culture. Sometimes the term Scandinavia is also applied to the Faroe Islands, mainly due to the location and long-standing historical connections.
For a long time, the southern regions have been the most populated, mainly due to the temperate climate. Scandinavia extends beyond the Arctic Circle, but thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, that is, a warm ocean current, the weather for such latitudes is quite mild. Most of the Scandinavian mountains have an alpine tundra climate. There are many lakes, moraines and glaciers dating back to the last ice age.
Ethnos
Danish, Norwegian and Swedish form a dialect continuum, and are known as a group of Scandinavian languages, all of which are mutually intelligible, although Danish is slightly closer to Norwegian. Faroese and Icelandic are sometimes called the island Scandinavian languages, although in relation to the continental ones they are only intelligible to a certain extent. Finnish, Estonian, Sami and several other smaller languages that have a small distribution in Scandinavia are related to each other, but do not overlap with the Scandinavian languages.
The vast majority of the human population of Scandinavia is a small-ethnic population, whose ancestors migrated from several Germanic tribes and settled on the shores of modern Denmark.
In academic literature, Scandinavia usually includes Denmark, Norway and Sweden, but some often tourist-oriented sources also include Finland and Iceland, generalizing them into the Nordic countries.
Term
The use of the name Scandinavia as an umbrella term for the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden began relatively recently. According to some historians, the term was adopted and coined in the eighteenth century, during which ideas about a common, unified heritage began to emerge and develop in early literature describing the relatedness of the three countries.
The term Scandinavia was popularized and established as a unifying concept in the nineteenth century by Hans Christian Andersen's 1839 poem "I Am a Scandinavian." After his visit to Sweden, Andersen became a supporter of Scandinavianism, which was emerging at that time. In a letter describing the poem and sent to his friend, Hans wrote: “I suddenly realized how close Sweden, Denmark and Norway are, and with this feeling, after returning from Sweden, I immediately wrote the poem: “We are one people, we are called Scandinavians!” ."
The term Scandinavia is often used in politics, with the most striking examples of such use occurring at rallies in Finland. After all, for hundreds of years the country was subordinate to the Kingdom of Sweden, which introduced part of its language, customs and culture into the way of life of the Finns. And such factors, as well as the close geographical location, make it possible to put Finland on the list of Scandinavian countries.
While the term Scandinavia is usually used for Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the term Nordic or Nordic countries is used for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Thus Scandinavia can be considered a subset of the Nordic countries. In addition, the term Finnoscandinavia refers to Scandinavia, Finland and Karelia, but excludes Denmark and other overseas territories, because it has geographical restrictions.
Scandinavia map
Nature
The geography of Scandinavia is extremely diverse. Notable are the Scandinavian mountains, plateaus, low-lying valleys and archipelagos. The eastern part is dominated by hills with many lakes and moraines, the southern lowlands are indented by river valleys, and the western and northern parts are dominated by mountains.
The climate varies both from north to south and from west to east. The west coast is dominated by a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The central part is dominated by a humid continental climate, gradually turning into a subarctic climate in the north.
National Geographic - Scandinavia
How to get there
When planning a trip across Scandinavia, it is important to create a complete route and select the starting and ending points of the trip. Typically, these points are large cities with an airport and convenient connections to other places of the planned trip.
So, for Scandinavia, the most convenient starting point will be the capital of Denmark - Copenhagen, since it is the southernmost of the major cities, and from it it is convenient to plan the most complete route through the entire region with an end point in Helsinki, from which buses constantly run to St. Petersburg .
Tickets to Copenhagen from Moscow can be found in the range of 4,000 - 10,000 rubles per person. And from the airport in the Danish capital to the city center can be reached in 15 minutes by public transport.
Scandinavia is a 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, its navy ranks fourth. Norwegians are rightfully famous for their own shipbuilding. Most of the population is engaged in fishing, and also in logging. The country's capital, Oslo, is an industrial city and a 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 have rich natural resources, but is famous for its forest and water resources. A significant part of the country - Lapland - is located beyond the Arctic Circle. The country is washed by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, 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 the 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 dynamically promote 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. There are a huge number of lakes in Southern Sweden, 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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