Oslo You will be surprised how accurate it is! It turns out that Swedes dont even like to discuss politics all that much. In fact, a lot of people have a much higher percentage than they expected. As a native Swede with a Finnish mother, Karl identifies as both Nordic and Scandinavian. Scandification 2023. As such, it was common that people wanted to hide their Sami heritage, with some even being ashamed of typically Sami features such as high cheekbones and wider eyes (SvD 2012). 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. Sweden is blessed to have some of the most beautiful landscapes and weather conditions of anywhere in the world. . This has served them well, and it is now a staple of the way that many people in the country behave. 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. It is also not as though all Dutch people look like twins. Physical characteristics of Welsh people include black or ginger hair, blue or green eyes, and a slightly below average height. Scandinavia is the home of mid-century modernism and contemporary minimalism - white walls, clean lines and a distinct . Theyd pick someone up on the side of the road if they were lost, and they frequently donate a lot to charitable organisations. Scandinavian How do the modern-day Scandinavians compare to their ancestors? Norwegians are not religious. Popular Post document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Facts about Scandinavia: Everything you need to know (and more). 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). That said, blue eyes are also rare throughout the world, and that makes them more desirable to many others. Answer (1 of 6): After taking a DNA test I was told I was 29% Scandinavian with other ethnicity such as Southern European,Iberian Peninsula%, Scotland/Ireland/Wales/ Great Britain 15%While I was growing up I was told I was half Portuguese and half German.Whatever the fact isI'm short, stocky a. Avoid manager-focused recognition. 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. A DNA study of Britons has shown that genetically there is not a unique Celtic group of people in the UK. Streaming Tips Of course, Swedes also have many positive personality traits. Again: love the site and the work behind with lots of information and I dont mean to complain. Most people from the Nordics have light eyes and hair, and are quite tall compared to other nationalities. Norse It is unlikely that someone in Sweden will have guests over without careful planning ahead of time. Thus, they can potentially spare other people from the potential burden of having to help them out. April 21, 2021. Leave a baby stroller outside. The IceHotel is an area in the north of the country where temperatures are very low throughout most of the year and permafrost exists. The coastlines in Denmark cover 4,545 miles, and the total land area is 16,638 square miles. It should also be added that the countries around the Dinaric Alps in Western Balkans would place in the top if S.E. Just like with most other countries, the Swedish royalty doesnt hold true political power, but they are the symbolic head of the country regardless. In his last will of 1895, he devoted a large amount of his . Not only does Scandinavia have some of the happiest people on the planet, but it also has some of the most appealing landscapes too. The Finnish people are, however, of the Baltic Finnic ethnic group, which actually makes Estonia the Finns closest relatives . Sweden is one of the most egalitarian societies in the world. Because we don't like dirt being dragged all over the house. Hooded eyes are prevalent in the Scandinavian population, and studies have shown that about 18 percent of northern Europeans have so-called sagging eyelids (which is related to hooded eyes but more specifically excess skin over your eye that may or may not disrupt your vision). For instance, the weather in Denmark typically follows a climate for the marine west coast thats pretty common for its location. Scandinavian women have very clean stances in their professional and personal lives. Shoes The Culture of Sweden. Many people are surprised when they receive the results of their genealogical DNA test. Fika So, what can we learn from Scandinavian people? If youre looking for more of a winter wonderland, the colder weather in Scandinavia runs between December and March. Alfred Nobel. Obviously, not all Scandinavian women look the same, as they have different hair and eye colors, body types, and defining features. Are Scandinavians and Nordics especially strong? They don't just drive everywhere, they walk, cycle, and hike. The lighter hair color isnt genetically unique to this part of the world, but it is one of the Swedish physical characteristics that most people are likely to notice right off the bat. Spring and Autumn months are definitely best for bird watching. 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. Try to keep this in mind in your dealings with anyone from Sweden. People would never abandon a fellow man in need, and the majority of citizens are extremely generous. This data may not be representative of the Nordic region as a whole, but at least it gives you an insight into what actual Scandinavian people look like in 2023. To elaborate on this, facial hair is included under the term androgenic hair, so based on data from the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, we see that over 70% of Nordic men (along with Mediterranean men) can grow a beard or mustache (which is well above the global average). Scandification explores and celebrates the magic of Scandinavia. According to a 2020 study published in The Lancet, Danes are the 4th tallest people in the world, followed by the Icelandic in 6th, the Swedes in 12th, Norwegians in 13th, and finally the Finns as 17th tallest people in the world. In summary, it seems Scandinavians from before the Viking age looked a bit different from todays Scandis, with multiple migration waves that settled in the region up until the iron age being quite diverse in looks and origins. 6. This will help you to find more time to go out hiking and sightseeing which is essential given the beautiful landscapes available to explore. Vikings vs. Last Kingdom vs. Game of Thrones, Curious how The Last Kingdom compares to Vikings, and how they both compare to Game of Thrones? It is very common to see Swedish physical traits of blonde hair, blue eyes, a tall figure, pale skin, and thin lips. For example, between 24-27% of people who are native to Finland, parts of Western Europe, or Great Britain, show Scandinavian DNA. . Norwegian people think really boring things are interesting. Rather, humans around the world generally consider reproductive factors such as waist-to-hip ratio and other indicators of fertility and health as attractive, rather than a specific eye/hair/skin color or similar. The terms Scandinavian and Nordic are closely related and often erroneously used interchangeably. These languages are usually divided into East Scandinavian (Danish and Swedish) and West Scandinavian (Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faroese) groups. The gene variant is particularly common in Scandinavia, and can be traced back to Viking DNA, when it appears to . (Also see Why Do Norwegians Hate Swedes and Danes? Certain sources emphasise this, such as an anonymous letter written in Old English. country has remained out of all wars since 1814, when Crown Princess Victoria and her partner, Daniel, got married. There is a quietness about them that can be off putting to some people from other cultures that are much more vocal, but the Swedes prefer to keep things quiet and allow the time it takes to get used to new people. Blue eyes are most common in Europe, especially Scandinavia. Positive traits of the Swedish personality. The Scandinavian landscape is unlike anything else in the world, offering views that you simply cant find anywhere else. This is core to the Scandinavian culture where people are taught to think independently . Well, some people have started to use the terms Nordic and Scandinavian somewhat interchangeably. He ultimately returned to his native Malm with his love, where they now have 3 Swedish-American boys eager to explore the world. It is part of Swedish culture to try to allow others to take care of their own problems while staying on the sidelines and trying to mind their own business. The study shows the genetic history of Scandinavia was influenced by foreign genes from Asia and Southern Europe . They believe that taking care of their own problems means that they wont have to bother anyone else with them. Finland is located between Russia and Sweden, to the south of Norway. 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). 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 . Very few adult Scandinavians have natural platinum blonde hair, but plenty has achieved this hair color by means of artificial coloring (as in the rest of the world). They have had more success doing this than you might imagine, and this has helped further solidify their reputation as a place that hates war and wants people to avoid conflict. On the other hand, Iceland is found just west of Ireland and southeast of Greenland, just below the Arctic Circle. However, Scandinavia isnt always as frozen as it may seem. Despite great progress on issues such as social equality, the Swedish people are not known for being boastful. If they are not the ones doing the talking even if there are some truly beautiful words in the Swedish language they could use they can observe more. This is also illustrated in reality when we look at the eye color of Swedish governors after the 2022 election, with 18 out of 21 (~86%) having brightly colored eyes; 16 pairs of blue eyes (~76% of total), and 2 pairs of green (~10% of total). When speaking, Swedes speak softly and calmly. So what do the rest of the Nordics look like? Usually, the climate in Norway is relatively cold and wet, but its still home to around 5,353,363 people. According to Hofstede Insights, Sweden is a 'feminine society' in which balance, inclusivity and consideration for others are core components of the social structure. As youll soon find, the Swedes are great to speak with. Not just in the big city of Stockholm, . By the way, if you'd like to connect to your inner Scandinavian with some stylish prints and clothing, I've created a collection of high-quality and authentic Nordic posters and apparel. It seems like pretty much anything will count as entertainment for a Norwegian person. The country still has four distinct seasons throughout the year, and the sights and sounds that accompany each season are truly spectacular to take in. Research surrounding the EDAR gene indicates that Scandinavians (along with most Europeans) generally have thinner hair, than for example East Asians and Native Americans. All Scandinavians are wealthy. Theres nothing quite like a chilly night watching the snow in Norway or Denmark, for instance. There are no scientific studies suggesting Scandinavians, or any other people for that matter, are considered more attractive than others. These individuals believe in "everything in moderation.". Exploring Swedish Culture. 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 . 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 . There are plenty of places you can visit to get a closer look at the fjords, including Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord and more. And while theres definitely an element of truth to that, there are other Swedish traits that youll definitely see more of than others when visiting this amazing country. This means that someone who has blue eyes may have a more difficult time avoiding eye damage when they are exposed to a lot of sunlight. How do Finland and Iceland fit into this facts about Scandinavia guide? Ive written an analysis of The Last Kingdom if you want to find out if its worth watching or not. One of the key characteristics of Swedish culture is that Swedes are egalitarian in nature, humble and find boasting absolutely unacceptable. However, people living close to the arctic circle are also exposed to extremely high UV exposure levels during the warmer half of the year (on par with Australia which is notorious for high levels of skin cancer) due to the ozone layer being thinner around the poles. Although most Swedes look naturally sun-kissed, the reality is that they spend much of their time living in darkness (like beautiful Scandinavian moles). It is a special time for people to take a step back and allow themselves to relax a little from the stresses of the day. 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. I have dark hair and dark eyes. 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. One of the Swedish personality traits that is often mistaken as coldness is their individualism. In the rest of the Nordics (namely Iceland, Finland, and the Faroe Islands) the people tend to look very similar to the Scandinavians, with especially Finland having a very large majority of their population being light-haired (blonde, light-brown, red) and light-eyed (blue, green, grey) according to Peter Frost. While you may be excited to get to know them and learn more about them, they are unlikely to feel the same, at least in the beginning. The Swedish-speaking Finns or Finland-Swedes form a minority group in Finland. It is estimated that at least 50% of Scandinavians have a light hair color, with some regions in Sweden, Finland and Norway reaching 80%. Europe had been split up into smaller sub-regions, as these countries are among the tallest in the world. 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. Research done into the DNA of the Irish has shown that our old understanding of where the population of Ireland originated may have been misguided. Swedish women are easy to . The country is very small, covering only 39,768 square miles. As well as offering plenty of unique cultures and stores to explore, the region is also packed full of great food too. One of the most misunderstood traits that Scandinavians are associated with is their reservation towards strangers or tourists. This way of living is called lagom, and is a large part of Nordic philosophy. Most people in Sweden might be characterized as introverts, and they like it that way. Scientists are now able to create eerily realistic facial reconstructions, getting us closer than ever to find out who they were and what the Vikings looked like. Frequently derided by right-wing politicians as an example of everything wrong with Big . ), How the Dutch & Scandinavians Are Connected (Complete Guide), Norse vs. Norwegian vs. Nordic: Differences Explained, Average Height in the Nordics (Data & Graphs), https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/atlas-med-forhistoriskt-dna-ger-ny-bild-av-manniskans-ursprung. The modern Irish population share many genetic similarities with Scottish and Welsh populations, and to a lesser extent the English. If youre ready to learn some interesting facts about Scandinavia, lets begin. Life The skeletons that the archaeologists have found, reveals, that a man was around 172 cm tall (5.6 ft), and a woman had an average height of 158 cm (5,1 ft). They may have had a reputation for trade, braids and fearsome raids, but the Vikings were far from a single group of flaxen-haired, sea-faring Scandinavians. Stockholm They reside in Norway (pop 50-65,000), Sweden (pop. BiljaST / Pixabay. Often, we think of stereotypes as negative. Gods 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. 4. Sweden is bordered by Finland to the east, and Norway to the west, sitting on the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea. The solution we have for Scandinavian people has a total of 4 letters. But spend a few days in the country and youll definitely start to notice some physical traits appearing more often than others. 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. Did you know that the Nordic countries (including Sweden) consume the most coffee per capita of any country on Earth? Swedish peoples characteristics include many noble things, such as honesty. The people from the south had blue eyes and relatively dark skin. Scientists have posited many theories on why Scandinavian people have light . The people are rude. Science February 16, 2017 at 8: . Check it out if youre curious! If youre visiting the west coast of Norway, youll experience a slightly colder coastal climate depending on the time of year. Sweden is a country of just over 10 million people, but they have produced more than their fair share of contributions to the world. Gods & Goddesses Native to northern Scandinavia, recognized as the oldest indigenous peoples of the North, the Sami people live in four countries. There are plenty of fun get-togethers in Sweden. According to the data, those of Celtic ancestry in Scotland and Cornwall are more similar . 1. How are Scandinavians (Swedes, Danes, Norwegians) so tall? People trust that youre doing your job well, and things just work. Located just a short distance away from Stockholm, Swedens capital city, this cluster of amazing islands and rocky cliffs is a must-see. Except when there's a party (although, please ask first and never wear heels on our nice wooden floors). Of course, most famously, the band ABBA is from Sweden, and they were a big hit throughout the world. 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. Denmark A group of some of the most beautiful countries in the world, Scandinavia doesnt just offer amazing travel opportunities. The population of Finland is around 5,542,517 people making it a relatively small country. You should NOT take this with offense. Brands from Sweden: What are the most famous Swedish brands? This means hotter summer and longer days. There are two things happening here. The Swedes prefer to keep to themselves most of the time. They prefer to keep their heads down and continue to work on making the planet a better place. That means that employees arent always trying to figure out the hidden meaning behind co-worker jibes. People who are native to regions close to the Scandinavian Peninsula are likely to show relatively higher amounts of Scandinavian DNA. They're all socialists. All Rights Reserved. Currency in Norway: What currency is used in Norway? 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. 10945. . Instead, one of the Swedish traits that many people pick up on is the fact that they like to stay back and remain quiet. Especially people from the US or Southern countries feel repelled by . In order to survive the UV-bombardment during summers as well as the lack of sunlight in the winters, the skin of Scandinavians have needed to be adaptable. Most people are very athletic and hardy, very punctual, and they have everything exactly set. Whats more, the Scandinavian countries are consistently rated among the happiest locations in the world. Read more about that in my article about Viking Looks! Mythology Therefore, many Swedish people are considered to be very beautiful, and the country has a reputation for being a place where many beautiful people live. For example, in Italy, small talk might be considered polite, while in Scandinavia, it can be considered bothersome. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close. This article may contain affiliate links. NEW VIDEOS EVERY THUR, FRI, SAT & SUN! This warm, mineral-rich pool sits in the middle of an 800-year-old lava field. 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. Stay tuned and well bring the essence of Scandinavia to you. Editor's Choice Nordic During the following centuries, these two hunter-gatherer groups intermingled and produced one of the most . Of course, not every Swedish person can be lumped into the same categories, but most agree that those traits are typical of the Swedes. Nonetheless, some believe that archetypes exist and attribute the shy and reserved traits to Scandinavian people. The Scandinavian Hunter-Gatherers lived in the region between 8000 BCE and 2800 BCE, and have been found to have had mixed eye colors (ranging from blue to light-brown), mostly dark hair (with the odd blondes present), and intermediate skin color (somewhere in between dark and light) with the odd light-skinned individual also present. Other famous Scandinavians with high cheekbones include Fredrik Ljungberg (pictured below to the right), Mads Mikkelsen, Tim Avicii Berg, and Viggo Mortensen. . Of course, these archetypes do not represent all Swedish people in the 21st Century. In fact, there is an entire museum dedicated to ABBA in Stockholm, Sweden for people to visit. When you ask whats the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Swedish people, blond, tall and blue eyed are often the first words you hear. They prefer to stay out of these situations and to avoid inserting themselves in the affairs of other countries if they can avoid it. Design Ive compared them thoroughly in different categories and analyzed what online critics on IMDb and other sites think, in order to answer which show is the best of the three. All living humans who descended from Africa have about 2% Neanderthal DNA, and this includes Scandinavians. They involve a certain degree of prejudice and generalization. If you look exclusively at the original 3 countries in Scandinavia, then the region covers about 358,325 square miles and is home to approximately 21 million people. Food Aside from countless television shows and reports giving us a peak behind the curtain into Scandi experiences, there are also various reports that seem to highlight the value of a Scandinavian lifestyle. Now scroll down and see what your feet reveal about your personality. However, when you really get to know the Scandinavian peninsula, youll discover that theres more to the region than you thought. Finland is part of the Nordic region, and therefore bound politically, culturally, and financially to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland in modern times. Swedes are also well known for their pessimistic outlook. The people of Sweden do not want to leave anything to chance when it comes to something like this. On the other hand, further north, theres a more subarctic climate similar to the weather youd find in Finland. 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. You will want to check out what Swedens IceHotel is all about. Stereotypical Scandinavian traits and facial features have since the early 20th century included straight, blonde hair; blue eyes; tall figure; a straight nose; thin lips; and non-prominent cheekbones, according to Werner & Bjrks 2014 book Blond and Blue-eyed. It turns out that Scandinavians are more closely related to the Kostenki man than any other now-living population. A genetic study of Viking-age human . Spontaneous visits to someone are rare, and they may even be considered rude. Data Whether they got tested by Ancestry DNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, or some other company, anyone with European ancestors is likely to show some degree of Scandinavian ancestry. Among the Sami people (hailing from Northern Scandinavia), high cheekbones are very common. The Scandinavian peninsula wont give you the sunny beaches and warm weather that you can expect from locations like Morocco or Spain. 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. This wave of primarily herders eventually fused with the current habitants (I see a pattern here) to produce the so-called Battle Axe culture group in Scandinavia, establishing themselves and flourishing in modern-day Denmark, Sweden and Norway. This is a common trait of people from Sweden as they are more shy than most other people from around the world. However, in Scandinavian countries, when you leave work, you can go home and focus on your personal life its that simple. (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. The supposed physical traits of the Nordics included light eyes, light skin, tall stature, and dolichocephalic skull; their psychological traits were deemed . Theres the option to stay in hotels with glass ceilings, or your own personal igloo. All systems have positives and negatives and Scandinavian countries are no exception.. One thing's for sure though, Many commentators have clearly never set foot in the Nordic region and barely understand the Nordic way of doing things. Scientists are now able to create eerily realistic facial reconstructions, getting us closer than ever to finding out who they were and what the Vikings looked like. Another way to avoid conflicts is to not act in a brash way, but instead trying to display oneself as being humble. Most Norwegian People Can Speak English. The largest city in Sweden is Stockholm, which is located on the eastern coast of the country. 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. The Scandinavian peninsula is geographically the largest in Europe, extending from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Circle. Get in to the Scandinavian spirit at home with our premium museum-quality prints and original apparel sent right to your doorstep with free shipping worldwide. Many of the Scandinavian countries are becoming increasingly diverse but they remain to be some of the safest places on the planet. Although many visitors prefer to seek out warmer Scandinavian weather when they can, theres a magic to the countries in winter too.