Where is Scandinavia?

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#scandinavia #nordic #denmark #sweden #finland #iceland #norway #faroeislands #greenland

Where is Scandinavia? What countries/territories makeup Scandinavia? What are Nordic Countries, and what are the differences between Scandinavian Countries and Nordic Countries? The answers should be clear, but it is not. The answers vary depending on whom you ask.
I am going to try my best to answer and explain why the answers are different. Did you notice I didn’t say wrong? These answers changes-based on geography, government, culture and language. Some of you may even use Scandinavia and Nordic countries interchangeably and some of you may not agree with my answer but at least listen to my explanation. Then tell me what you think in the comment.
Let’s start with how the word “Scandinavia” became a stand-in word for some northern European countries. The term “Scandinavia” arose in popularity in the early 18th century with Danish and Swedish universities as they were trying to highlight the shared history, mythology, arts, and culture of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
However, these days the term Scandinavia means a group of countries in northern Europe that includes some combination of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, Finland, Iceland as well as Denmark’s autonomous territory Faroe Islands and Greenland. Ok OK Greenland is technical part of North America, but hear me out
Geographically speaking Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are considered Scandinavia while Finland, Iceland and Denmark’s autonomous territories Greenland and Faroe Islands are not.
Let me thorough in another geographical confusion, only Sweden and Norway are located in the Scandinavian Peninsula. As you can see Denmark is not on the Peninsula, but everybody ignores the fact and universally consider Denmark as one of the Scandinavian countries
Now look at what are Scandinavian countries based on their culture. Scandinavian Culture is one of the most widely used terms, and the least clear. When people refer to Scandinavian culture, they’re referring to shared history, traditions, literature, and design. We all know how popular Scandy home decor was a few years ago.
Historically Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland are so intertwined. Their holidays and traditions are also very similar. This group of five countries is often referred to as culturally Scandinavian. It is important to note that Greenland and Faroe Islands
The political systems across all these countries are similar, though not identical. Politically Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Denmark’s territories Greenland and Faroe Islands are considered Scandinavian. Greenland is only considered Scandinavian politically only by a few people.
Linguistically speaking it changes again. Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Faroese, and Icelandic are derived from North Germanic languages and are considered Scandinavian Languages. Finland is not Linguistically Scandinavian as Finnish is not originated from the North Germanic language family it was part of the Finnic group of the Uralic languages, which also include Estonian and Hungarian.
Did I confuse you enough? Let me clarify Norway, Sweden and Denmark are always considered Scandinavian countries. Based on the shared history and culture Iceland, and Finland join the team. Linguistically speaking Finland is out but Denmark’s autonomous territory of the Faroe Islands is joining the team. So, what is Scandinavia is very fluid and the context matter.

What is Nordic?
The Nordic is a geographical and cultural region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic. It includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden; the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland; and Finland’s autonomous region of Åland.
Hope you are clear on what is a Scandinavian country.