Finland is in Scandinavia. Discuss.

[OTAKUjbski]

Somehow, a discussion of whether Finland is part of (or even should be a part of) Scandinavia has spilled over into a variety of threads.

If it really means that much to you, please discuss it here ...

On that note, here is a quote from Wikipedia on 'Scandinavia'.

As a cultural and historical concept, Scandinavia can include Finland as well (of the larger region Fenno-Scandinavia), often with reference to the nation's long history as a part of Sweden. Although Finland is culturally closely related to the other Scandinavian countries, the Finns form a distinct linguistic and ethnic group, with a Finno-Ugric population that has incorporated features from both Eastern and Western Europe.​

Click here to see the whole article on Wikipedia.

 

[Swedishguy]

Well, swedish TV airs finnish TV shows...

 

[King Flevance]

Finland is in Narnia. Ask Conan O'Brian.

 

[Kissamies]

Yeah, and Santa lives here, no matter what other countries say.

 

[Azash]

We are so awesome everybody cool wants us. Therefore, we are a part of Scandinavia.

 

[Storminator]

We are so awesome everybody cool wants us. Therefore, we are a part of Scandinavia.

I thought we were going to make Finland the 51st state.

PS

 

[Onagan]

There isn't anything to discuss, Finland isn't in Scandinavia.

 

[Swedishguy]

There isn't anything to discuss, Finland isn't in Scandinavia.

And why not?

 

[Onagan]

because some wise men decide so, a time ago. I don't make the rules, i follow them.

 

[Swedishguy]

because some wise men decide so, a time ago. I don't make the rules, i follow them.

So, do you have any facts to back that up or do I just have to believe you?

 

[Onagan]

maybe Encyclopædia Britannica will convince you.

 

[thordk]

the finnish language isn't indo-european. that alone makes finland not being part of scandinavia

 

[SkippyT]

the finnish language isn't indo-european. that alone makes finland not being part of scandinavia

But Finland is.
Finland is in the Scandinavian Union, that's enough to put it in Scandinavia, isn't it?

Scandinavian (refers to Scandinavia) Union (meaning..a close connection between countries, in this case Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland)

Finland is, without a doubt, in Scandinavia. Their language doesn't change that.

 

[Ceritoglu]

If the Fins are Scandinavian, then the Turks living in Thrace are European.

 

[Julian Delphiki]

We finns also seem to be confused about this. Some people say that we are part of scandinavia, some say we are not - i personally don't really care.

 

[SkippyT]

If the Fins are Scandinavian, then the Turks living in Thrace are European.

I can't agree that the statement above is a proper one. Turkey doesn't come close to sharing as much with their neighbors as Finland does.
I think the Finland "situation" is an unique situation. They have all those ties with the Scandinavian countries: culture, history, religion etc.
Turkey, for an example doesn't share any of that with their neighbors.
But Finland speaks a totally different language, and that's pretty much it.

Edit: Read my signature. Where do you think it's from? I bet you guess Norway, Iceland or Sweden (because it's in Swedish). It's Finnish. A Finnish song, sung in Swedish, about Vikings. (actually Viking trolls)

 

[Lockesdonkey]

If the Fins are Scandinavian, then the Turks living in Thrace are European.

1. Who says they're not?

2. The relationship between Finland and Scandinavia is basically the same as that of Iran and the Middle East: despite the HUGE linguistic gulf, the culture is similar because of long contact. There are substantial differences between the dominant culture within that grouping (Germanic in Scandinavia, Arab in the Middle East) and the non-dominant culture (Finnish/Iranian), yet if you ask an Iranian if he or she considers Iran to be in the Middle East, they'll look at you as though you asked them if you were breathing. Finns, Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians have a complex intertwined history.

 

[Ceritoglu]

I can't agree that the statement above is a proper one. Turkey doesn't come close to sharing as much with their neighbors as Finland does.
I think the Finland "situation" is an unique situation. They have all those ties with the Scandinavian countries: culture, history, religion etc.
Turkey, for an example doesn't share any of that with their neighbors.
But Finland speaks a totally different language, and that's pretty much it.

The Turks of Thrace live on the European continent. They share much of the same culture as their Greek and Bulgarian neighbours (similar music, similar food, similar alcoholic beverage made from Anise), and the region is fairly heterogenous. The main difference being, that the Turks of Thrace identify themselves as Muslims and have a largely Turkish ancestry. Aside from religion, they're identical to the Finns in that respect.

 

[Azash]

(actually Viking trolls)

I wouldn't say viking trolls. More like "just" trolls

 

[Luckystrike77]

The fins don't play in the scandinavian football tournament called Royal league either.....

When Finland was a part of Sweeden, perhaps we can say they where a part of Scandinavia, but nowadays Scandinavia means just the Nordic Kingdoms of Norway, Sweeden and Danmark.....