Finland is located between Russia and Sweden, to the south of Norway. Scandinavians as a whole are part of a group of ethnicities (along with Finns, English, Irish, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Polish, Hungarians, and Russians) where the Epicanthic fold is occurring more than in other European populations, but still at a much lower frequency than for example Asian ethnicities. For another deep-dive into Scandinavian looks, Ive plowed through massive amounts of archaeological objects and DNA analysis to find out how Vikings actually looked (how big they were, how they wore their hair, where they came from, their hair and eye color, etc. Even more remotely is that it's the combination of both of these factors. Studies show that most Scandinavian men are generally able to grow a full beard if they choose to do so, which of course not everyone does. The IceHotel is literally made of ice and snow and kept at a cool -4 degrees Celsius. Often, when people imagine the Scandinavian peninsula, they get images of touring mountains and icy cold plains in their mind. So What Do Scandinavian People Actually Look Like? Certain sources emphasise this, such as an anonymous letter written in Old English. They take longer to warm up to new people and new experiences. Even the Vikings were known for bleaching their hair, although the main reason to do so may have been primarily to kill hair lice. About 125 inscriptions dated from ad 200 to . The social events that they do attend are planned well in advance, and they are given notice so that they can prepare themselves for this type of socializing. He left Sweden at 19 to explore the world, and stayed abroad for almost 8 yearsduring which he backpacked, worked every job there was, earned a degree from UC Berkeley, and met the future mother of his children. How do Finland and Iceland fit into this facts about Scandinavia guide? Finland is part of the Nordic region, and therefore bound politically, culturally, and financially to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland in modern times. One of the Swedish characteristics that people sometimes take for granted is how humble they are as a people. Avoid manager-focused recognition. You will be surprised how accurate it is! The Egyptian foot shape is characterized by the perfect alignment of all your toes in a descending order. At work, they compete with men for positions. Leave a baby stroller outside. This continues to cycle through the population as new generations come along, and pale skin remains a defining feature of Swedish people. It is fairly typical for quietness to be mentioned among Swedish peoples traits. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a9769233b40fbdc3f7fc31f716ac2283" );document.getElementById("j39e62affa").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are plenty of famous Scandinavians with notably high cheekbones, a trait which is commonly passed down in the Nordic region through families with Sami heritage. Theres no guarantee that it will show on any given night but the colourful lights are visible about 200 nights each year. Blonde hair is highly prized in many parts of the world, but it is merely an everyday thing in Sweden. Popular opinion and mainstream media depict the Vikings in a similar fashion. 2. Native to northern Scandinavia, recognized as the oldest indigenous peoples of the North, the Sami people live in four countries. Its about giving more balance back to the employment world. . Anyway, I just had my DNA tested and I'm 67% Scandinavian. The word Scandinavia arose in the early eighteenth century as a result of Swedish and Danish universities, which championed the shared arts, mythology, and history of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Of course, these archetypes do not represent all Swedish people in the 21st Century. However, the genome also indicates that many European traits, including those from the Middle East, were already present in the first Europeans. Lets dig a little deeper and look at what we know about the first Scandinavians: The first inhabitants of the Scandinavian peninsula came from the south with darker skin and blue eyes (known as Western Hunter-Gatherers), later joined by migrants from the east (known as Eastern Hunter-Gatherers) who had lighter skin but darker eyes.During the following centuries, these two hunter-gatherer groups intermingled and produced one of the most diverse populations of the stone age, with a population at the time of about 10 000 to 20 000 in all of Scandinavia. At least, some Swedish stereotypes do. To find out the origins of the light hair/light eye color combination we need to look at where people in Scandinavia came from originally, and how they looked (based on DNA samples and analysis). Add this one to your bucket list. Scandinavian people. A survey by Hotels.com and Match.com asked 5000 Nordic singles in 2014 which Nordic country has the most attractive people, and here are the results: Singles in Norway, Denmark, and Finland all voted for Swedes as the most attractive (you could not vote for your own country), while the Swedes overwhelmingly seem to prefer Norwegian women and men. Gods For instance, theres a genuine sense of equality in Scandinavian workplaces. Of course, not every Swedish person can be lumped into the same categories, but most agree that those traits are typical of the Swedes. That means that the population density is pretty low equaling out at 60 people per square mile. The First Scandinavians Where Dark-skinned and Blue-eyed. Whats more, according to some insights into Scandinavian culture, the countries are also far more committed to health, fitness, and wellness than other regions. The coastlines in Denmark cover 4,545 miles, and the total land area is 16,638 square miles. Viking identity was not limited to people with Scandinavian genetic ancestry. Once again, not everyone in Sweden will look like this. Ultimately, theres a lot more to the Scandinavian peninsula than Ikea, minimalist designs, and breathtaking fashion. Brands from Sweden: What are the most famous Swedish brands? Even so, Swedish DNA lives on in those of us who are descended from people who lived in those places once ruled by Sweden, including . This makes them the second-rarest color (behind green), and that is what is so enticing about them. It doesnt matter how close the people are to one another relationally, it is not ideal to try to have a spontaneous visit in Sweden. Guests are given thermal sleeping bags to help keep themselves comfortable as they sleep in these iceboxes. If youre looking for more of a winter wonderland, the colder weather in Scandinavia runs between December and March. According to Hofstede Insights, Sweden is a 'feminine society' in which balance, inclusivity and consideration for others are core components of the social structure. Recommendations In Nordic cultures, recognizing others to reward yourself would be terminal. It should be added that those athletes are extreme outliers, and not at all representative of the general Nordic population. Scandinavian means belonging or relating to a group of northern European countries that includes Denmark, Norway, and . The characteristic of this minority is debated: while some see it as an ethnic group of its own some view it purely as a linguistic minority. Some authorities argue for the inclusion of Finland on geologic and economic grounds and of Iceland and the Faroe Islands on the grounds that their inhabitants speak North Germanic (or Scandinavian) languages . Theyd pick someone up on the side of the road if they were lost, and they frequently donate a lot to charitable organisations. The Culture of Sweden. When you go to a Scandinavian house, expect to remove your shoes in the hallway. However, in Scandinavian countries, when you leave work, you can go home and focus on your personal life its that simple. As weve established, most Nordic people today have brightly colored eyes, with some areas reaching up to 80% of the population (P. Frost 2006). Ive written an analysis of The Last Kingdom if you want to find out if its worth watching or not. Scandinavians have been generally more blond and blue-eyed than the rest of the world for a long time; from the Vikingswho were blond in their majority according to researchers at the University of Copenhagento present-day Scandinavians who mostly have light hair and eyes (Lock-Andersen 1999). The idea of Jantelov isnt to see yourself as any less than you are but to recognise the inherent value of every individual person. The Swedish concept of individualism is often practiced to avoid bothering others. It is because of the lower than average exposure to the sun. Comparisons Finland The country continues to take the lead on issues such as creating sustainable sources of energy and working towards including more women in positions of power. Sweden is the home of many tall people. Although some typical Swedish characteristics may be more well-known than others, Im fairly confident youll find these quickly coming out when you start to chat with the Swedes as you should, as theyre definitely a lot of fun! Science . The Swedes prefer to keep to themselves most of the time. They are a people who prefer to be left alone until they are ready to engage socially. So, let's set a few things straight! (And the usual caveat for lists like this: not every Swede is going to be identical, nor are they all going to have the exact same personality traits. That is, they are not meaning to cut you out from their life or make things challenging. It turns out that Swedes dont even like to discuss politics all that much. Known for its rolling lowlands and beautiful mountains; Sweden is a temperate location with a population of 9,960,095 people. Only about 8 to 10 percent of the world is believed to have blue eyes. The physical traits of the Nordics were described as light eyes, light skin, tall stature, and dolichocephalic skull; the psychological traits as truthful, equitable, competitive, naive, reserved, and individualistic. Movies If you hear loud-speaking people in the public, they are either non-Swedish or drunk. It is also not as though all Dutch people look like twins. If you asked ten different Scandinavian people why theyre so happy, youd probably get ten different answers. Scandinavian Whether the Scandinavian beauty myth is real or not is hard to say, but Nordic magazine The Local listed Beautiful Women and Handsome Men among the top 10 things US expats notice after theyve lived in Sweden for a while. These are the people that are happy to let people have their own opinions and continue with life as normal without a debate. The Scandinavian climate varies depending on exactly where you are of course. Its not in Scandinavian culture to hold grudges or seek out arguments. One of the most notable aspects of Swedish culture is their respect for the environment and commitment to sustainability. The average height in Sweden is 175.5cm, which is the same height as your average model. Second, early Scandinavian ancestors are thought to have been dark-skinned, but after mixing with other populations and adapting to the geographical area this trait eventually disappeared. As far as I know, the advanced DNA analysis of skeletal remains scientists can do today has proven to be very reliable (the same scientific method has been used to establish the physical traits of Vikings also, and they seem to agree with written records), and its not so hard to imagine Scandinavians skin adapting from dark to light over a long period of time due to changing sunlight exposure, as we are all descendants of dark-skinned Africans (if we go even further back in time) no matter how light our skin color is today. The Finnish people are, however, of the Baltic Finnic ethnic group, which actually makes Estonia the Finns closest relatives . Shopping Notable Nordic winners of the strongman competition include Icelands Hafr Jlus Bjrnsson (of Game of Thrones fame as Ser Gregor Clegane/The Mountain) and Swedens Magnus Samuelsson (who features in the series The Last Kingdom as the Viking band member Clapa). They involve a certain degree of prejudice and generalization. During the following centuries, these two hunter-gatherer groups intermingled and produced one of the most . The official Scandi countries rank second, third and fourth on the list of the world's tallest people, pipped only by the Dutch. How do the modern-day Scandinavians compare to their ancestors? Data People from all over the world with high cheekbones are often seen as attractive by todays standards, with Swedish beauty contestant Ida Ovmar as one recent example where its worked out in her favor. This is a common trait of people from Sweden as they are more shy than most other people from around the world. The Nordic countries are a geographic region which consists of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Finland, and land.Though these regions have a shared cultural history, they contain culturally distinct historical populations, including the Smi people and the Norse . Although the rest of the Nordics generally view Sweden in a positive light still, there has been a slight shift towards more people having a more negative image of Sweden and Swedes lately. Because people living in Norway are onto something - 18 things, in fact. Hej, I'm Astrid and I'm here to show you everything that Scandinavia has to offer - based on my own experience living up here in the Nordics! This warm, mineral-rich pool sits in the middle of an 800-year-old lava field. Theres something to be gained from this mindset particularly in the work environment. If youre visiting the west coast of Norway, youll experience a slightly colder coastal climate depending on the time of year. Enjoy your visit! published in The American Journal Of Human Genetics. Ive writtenan article where I go into detail about Viking traits and looks, so if you want to find out more about Vikings looks go take a look. Editor's Choice Swedes have learned over the years to deal with their own problems on their own terms, and they continue to use this personality trait to help get things done. Thats usually because they dont have the same sun, sea, and sand to offer. Given the location of the country on the globe, the skin tones of people who have lived in the area for centuries have been paler than it is for people in other parts of the world. People in Scandinavia dont have to pay to get assistance from a doctor, and there are benefits available if you cant find work. The terms Scandinavian and Nordic are closely related and often erroneously used interchangeably. Fish such as herring, mackerel, and trout are rich in protein, omega-3s, and antioxidants, while rich selections of root vegetables and low GI rye bread . Photo courtesy of Taylor Trah. Waterfalls cascade across mountainsides while the glaciers stand firm, offering an amazing insight into the sheer power of nature. The relationship between Norway and the Euro. The region is famous not just for its incredible per-capita income, but also its low cost of living, fantastic government support, and amazing healthcare. Scandinavia is the home of mid-century modernism and contemporary minimalism - white walls, clean lines and a distinct . People dont expect you to put in overtime. For instance, Scandinavian people could leave a baby stroller on the street outside of a store . It is common to add a cinnamon roll (kanelbullar) to the experience. When it comes to writing, there are two different versions of written Norwegian; Bokml and Nynorsk. It may be hard to name some of the top Swedish bands right now, but you have likely heard their music or their influence on music in your life. Music 20-40,000), Finland (8,000), and the Kola Peninsula of Russia (2,000), with the majority of them living in the first two nations. These individuals believe in "everything in moderation.". (Swedish Fish Facts!). This can be compared to the Mediterranean region, where its concentrated on the chest and back instead. The UK royal family gets all of the press in the United States and many other parts of the world, but Sweden actually has one of the longest-running monarchies in the world. The prevalence of this gene on the Norwegian west coast is thought to be linked to slaves from Ireland and Scotland being brought to Scandinavia. Another way to avoid conflicts is to not act in a brash way, but instead trying to display oneself as being humble. When speaking, Swedes speak softly and calmly. The Nordic/Scandinavian physical stereotypes are as cliche as they are well-knownthe stereotypical Scandis are expected to be a bunch of tall, blonde-haired, and blue-eyed Vikings in most peoples mindsbut can those stereotypes actually be true in modern-day Scandinavia? 1. The country has produced many great scientists and thinkers. Over 70% of male Scandinavians have some form of body hair (androgenic hair), which is among the highest rates in the world (along with Mediterranean men). People from Sweden tend to be shy and take some time to warm up to new people. Hellcat, take your hatred of Americans somewhere else. Nonetheless, some believe that archetypes exist and attribute the shy and reserved traits to Scandinavian people. Nordic Traits I love this site, and I dont want to make sound as Im complaining now but I must say that I am very skeptical of the dark-skinned and blue-eyed people who are said to be the first Scandinavians. Sweden is blessed to have some of the most beautiful landscapes and weather conditions of anywhere in the world. Typically, when youre talking about Scandinavia, youre looking at Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Of course, not every Swedish person can be lumped into the same categories, but most agree that those traits are typical of . Read Article Now. On the other hand, further north, theres a more subarctic climate similar to the weather youd find in Finland. This incredible location is packed full of unforgettable culture, awe-inspiring landscapes, and unique heritage. Among the Sami people (hailing from Northern Scandinavia), high cheekbones are very common. Sweden is one of the most egalitarian societies in the world. The population of the nation is 337,780, which would make it the smallest of all the Scandinavian countries. Another wave of migrants came into Scandinavia around 4800 years ago from the Russian steppes, originating from the northern shores of the Black sea and commonly called the Western Steppe Herders. Whether these traits stem from a diverse pre-bronze age population, geographical conditions, or the modern diet of the region as a whole is hard to say, but they all likely played some part at least. Swedes are also well known for their pessimistic outlook. An interesting thing about this is the fact that pale skin is considered highly desirable among many types of people. In fact, a lot of people have a much higher percentage than they expected. Interestingly enough, religion just isn't an issue in Norway. Please read our. Lets take a more detailed look at how the Nordic peopleboth male and femalestack up against each other and the world when it comes to height: The Danish are the tallest people in the Nordics, with the average male Dane reaching 182 cm / 512, followed by the Icelandic men at 181 cm, and finally the Swedes, Norwegians, and Finns at 180 cm. Ive noticed that surgeons in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark all offer surgery to counteract this condition in case it disrupts your eyesight, or as an elective procedure for cosmetic reasons, and this procedure isnt as commonly seen in other areas of the world. Many of the Scandinavian countries are becoming increasingly diverse but they remain to be some of the safest places on the planet. So there is at least something to the myth from a North American perspective (beauty standards differ around the world, after all). But sometimes it can be fun to discuss stereotypes some of which may just have an element of truth to them!). They are a global leader in organic agriculture, recycling, and renewable energy. Theres nothing quite like a chilly night watching the snow in Norway or Denmark, for instance. One of the best reasons to include Iceland in the Scandinavian region is that it offers some of the most impressive sights in the world. He was a Swedish engineer, chemist, and the inventor of dynamite. It should also be added that the countries around the Dinaric Alps in Western Balkans would place in the top if S.E. Born on October 21, 1833, he is one of the most famous people in the world. That said, blue eyes are also rare throughout the world, and that makes them more desirable to many others. Sweden is bordered by Finland to the east, and Norway to the west, sitting on the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea. . Outside extreme muscle competitions, the fact that Scandinavians are among the tallest people in the world suggests some additional muscle mass along with the extra height. Natural platinum blonde or near-white hair occurs occasionally among the population in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, primarily among children (as hair tends to darken with age). In many ways, Swedes prefer to listen to others as opposed to ensuring that their own voice is heard. Read Article Now. While searching our database we found 1 possible solution for the: Scandinavian people crossword clue. After all, if youre familiar with facts about Scandinavia, then youll know that all of the countries in the peninsula love their food. These events are simply more carefully planned and coordinated than they are in other countries. For Denmark, youre looking at May to August, when the temperatures are mild, and the countryside is gorgeous. When you are eating meals that come later in the day, you may also enjoy some of the local seafood catches or even meat from a reindeer! Naturally, I wanted to see if this data held up based on my own experience, so I gathered all the hair and eye colors of 103 family members and friends who currently live in or around Malm, Sweden (one of the more culturally diverse cities in Sweden I should add). Everyone's house looks like an IKEA showroom. Norwegians are not religious. I mean, that's just practical. In fact, the average height in Sweden is much taller than the world average. The next time you notice something about a building that indicates that it has some sustainability features, you should note that you are likely looking at something that has Swedish influence imprinted on it. Of course, Swedes also have many positive personality traits. A group of some of the most beautiful countries in the world, Scandinavia doesnt just offer amazing travel opportunities. Whats more, now that surveys around the world suggest that people are having difficulties balancing their work and personal life, the Scandinavian culture is becoming even more appealing. While perhaps not homely in appearance, the women nevertheless possess an edgy, rustic look befitting the harsh living conditions of Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Will heads up Scandifications tech-team, occasionally reviewing the best of Scandinavian tech and design. February 16, 2017 at 8: . Often, we think of stereotypes as negative. We couldnt bring an end to this Scandinavian facts guide without giving you an insight into some of the incredible food youll find in the region. The solution we have for Scandinavian people has a total of 4 letters. Hello, slow tv. Scandification explores and celebrates the magic of Scandinavia. Keep in mind that its quite chilly, but you can expect slightly warmer temperatures if you move closer towards the inland. Their citizens have one of the longest life . You can view the incredible sparkling of the sky from countless locations across Finland, Iceland, and other locations in Scandinavia. You can see below for what to perhaps expect the next time you meet a Swede. Scientifically speaking, there are a couple of factors that could play in the Scandinavians favor as far as sexual selection and attractiveness go: I want to point out that beauty is entirely objective, and what is considered attractive for some may not be for others. While most people belong to the Lutheran Church of Norway, it by no means indicates that they go to church or even believe in a higher power. A genetic study of Viking-age human . You need to take advantage of all that the country offers and allow yourself to see just how beautiful it is all year long. If you compare this to a region further away, such as Southern Europe (Italy and . If you have this type of foot you are likely to be mysterious and secretive. I have dark hair and dark eyes. They're all socialists. All Scandinavians are wealthy. A possible explanation is that the Viking settlements in the northeast coast of the . Finally, dont forget to take in the Swedish art that dots the landscape throughout the country. They simply find it easier to handle most of their problems on their own and not incorporate other people into the situation if they can avoid it. It seems the research project is well-funded too (https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/atlas-med-forhistoriskt-dna-ger-ny-bild-av-manniskans-ursprung), so they seem to have the best tools available to analyze this type of scientific data. Experts in the field suggest that this is largely a Swedish genetic trait, given that natural genetic selection along with a diet that is high in protein are what contribute to the above-average height of many Swedes. Today, were going to take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the place on everyones bucket list. Yes the origins and visual characteristics of the first Scandinavians were discussed in the SVT article (https://www.svt.se/nyheter/vetenskap/de-var-de-forsta-svenskarna), but more specifically this theory comes from research by Mattias Johansson, professor of genetics at Uppsala University. Norwegians breathe in when saying yes. Malm Furthermore, according to a 2016 study published in Wiley, people of European origin generally have a facial hair growth pattern concentrated around the upper lip, cheek, neck, and chin, so it can be assumed that most Scandinavians also are able to generally grow whats considered a full and thick beard. You should NOT take this with offense. Most Norwegian People Can Speak English. There's a lot more to Scandinavian people traits than a Viking or model physique and a great sense of fashion. Let's take a look in detail at some of the most common perceptions of people from this fascinating region. They know that youll do your best when youre on the job, and then leave work behind you when you return home. Do Scandinavians have a lot of body hair? Whether youre exploring the frozen fjords or hiking along one of Denmarks incredible nature paths, the opportunities for breath-taking scenery are endless. Within the central parts of Scandinavia, around Stockholm and Oslo, you can expect a slightly more continental and humid climate. ), which may seem out of character for what we know about the people of Sweden, but they seem to love these events regardless. As well as offering plenty of unique cultures and stores to explore, the region is also packed full of great food too. Currency in Norway: What currency is used in Norway? Additionally, the same is true for the southern areas in Sweden. Around the world, there seems to be a growing love affair forming with the Scandinavian people and their unique way of life. Nordic spring/summer): First off, there are plenty of people with darker skin in todays Scandinavia, but they generally have more than just Scandinavian heritage in their family. These are Swedish genetic traits that have existed in the population for a long time and will likely continue to exist in the population of this geographic area for a long time. They dont like to rush anything. So the theory is that on top of any Vitamin D youd get from the sun, Scandinavians have also stocked up on it via their fish intake. When speaking with a Swede, you may notice that they avert their eyes or refuse to look directly at you. Research surrounding the EDAR gene indicates that Scandinavians (along with most Europeans) generally have thinner hair, than for example East Asians and Native Americans. The country is very small, covering only 39,768 square miles. This way of living is called lagom, and is a large part of Nordic philosophy. (Complete Guide), Recent advancements in DNA analysis tech have led to extraordinary insight into how Vikings looked, from hair and eye color to size and ancestry. NEW VIDEOS EVERY THUR, FRI, SAT & SUN! Gods & Goddesses Swedish women are easy to . Swedes are humble people, most of them can even be considered as reasonable. The white cliffs of Mons Klint in Denmark is easily one of the most beautiful places in the world. Some of the main staples of traditional Scandinavian food include: Scandinavian countries arent always at the top of a persons wish list when it comes to vacations. Mythology The Scandinavian peninsula is geographically the largest in Europe, extending from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Circle. Your email address will not be published. Sweden The new Battle Axe culture that slowly spread and took over the Scandinavian region is thought to have been a bit more individualistic and was known for how their men were buried with their big battle axes. Most Swedes have blue eyes. It is very common to see Swedish physical traits of blonde hair, blue eyes, a tall figure, pale skin, and thin lips. People in the north of Europe traditionally consume a lot of fatty fish, rye bread, and root vegetables which have been shown to offer excellent health benefits. One of the Swedish personality traits that is often mistaken as coldness is their individualism. While Scandinavian people indulge in sweet treats and fatty foods, they don't binge too often.