User:Jähmefyysikko/sandbox2

Scandinavia vs. Nordic countries
The term Nordic countries (Norden in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish) refers to the five countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, including their associated territories Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland Islands. These communities share many common geographical, historical, and socio-cultural features distinct from the rest of Europe.

The concept of Nordic countries evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries to emphasize regional cooperation and a distinct cultural identity. Finland and Iceland initially faced challenges in being recognized as part of this Nordic world. Finland, transitioning from Swedish rule to being part of the Russian Empire in the early 19th century, had to assert its identity and independence within the Nordic context. Iceland, with its geographical isolation and unique cultural heritage, also sought inclusion in the Nordic cooperative framework. Their integration into Norden was solidified by the establishment of the Nordic Council in 1952.

The term Norden is not widely used in English. Instead, the concept of Scandinavia, which in local contexts usually only refers to the three countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, is often used in English to encompass all communities that consider themselves Nordic. Consequently, terms like "Scandinavian" and "Nordic" are frequently used interchangeably, though they may carry different connotations locally.

The geological term Fennoscandia (sometimes Fennoscandinavia) refers to the Fennoscandian Shield (or Baltic Shield), which includes the Scandinavian Peninsula, Finland and Karelia, and excludes Denmark and other parts of the wider Nordic world. The terms Fennoscandia and Fennoscandinavia are sometimes used in a political sense to refer to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.