Scandinavia Intro

•Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland are all Scandinavian Countries

• Norway - Extensive coastline and rigorous terrain ; Gulf stream brings in warmer current ; Fjords ; lofoten islands common tourism area

• Finland - Lakes and forests

• Denmark - Flat land, much smaller, dense population

• Sweden - Cycling Gotland common activity

• Iceland - Slopes and mossy valleys, lots of hiking done

History of the Region

• Indigenous People : Sami

• Migration Period : 375-568

  • many Asian, Germanic,

  • and more civilizations migrate to northern Europe and the Scandinavian peninsula

• Viking Age : 793-1066

  • While most of Europe has developed a subtle Christian culture, Christianity hasn’t come to Scandinavia yet.

  • Scandinavians are Pagans and value dying in war so they can go to Valhalla like Odin says

• Christianity Introduced : around 900-1000

  • Centuries after Southern Europe has become Christian, it becomes introduced and accepted in Scandinavia.

  • Society over these next 400 years are Christianity based such as art, society, and how the world functions

Kalmar Union - Norway, Sweden, Denmark linked in a kind of federation : 1397-1523

• Union of German merchants had a very small force on the trades of Scandinavia.

• Union falls apart after internal fights and problems. King of Sweden pulls them out of the Kalmar Union.

• The black death stops Norway from leaving the union and they remain with Denmark for 400 years.

• Sweden comes out of it as the strongest and becomes an empire

Population

• Sweden - 10.5 Million

• Norway - 5.4 Million

• Denmark - 5.9 Million

• Finland - 5.6 Million

• Iceland - 394,000

Characteristics

• Protecting the Environment - major issue

• Dedication to cooperation and peace in the world

• Welcoming exiles and refugees from troubled places

• Ethic, racial and religious diversity