NORSE / SCANDINAVIAN FAQS

What is Nordic?

Another term used of the countries covered by this FAQ is, of course, "Nordic countries", coming originally from French ("Pays Nordiques"). It was at first used of "northern" (European) countries in general, but with the common political, economic and cultural development of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland, the term has in English widely become established as referring exclusively to said five countries (still, not everyone agrees; you may, for instance, find Canadians who are under the misconception that they are Nordic).

What is Scandinavian?

The word "Scandinavia" presents a bit more difficulty. In Nordic languages, the meaning is quite clear: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, (and sometimes Iceland). The Scandinavian peninsula, on the other hand, is usually simply understood as comprising Norway and Sweden, despite the unclear border to the Kola peninsula. The northernmost part of Finland is of course also situated on the Scandinavian peninsula.