Scandinavia

Scandinavia (ancient Scandia), name applied collectively to three countries of northern Europe—Norway and Sweden (which together form the Scandinavian Peninsula), and Denmark. The three countries are so grouped because of their historical, cultural, and linguistic affinities. The term Scandinavia is sometimes extended to include Iceland and the Faroe Islands, which are linguistically related to the others, and to Finland, which is not linguistically related. The term Nordic has been applied to the five countries of northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland) that are united by geographical and economic factors.