1. SECTION 4
Scandinavia

2. HISTORY
 Once home to fierce Vikings
 Raided Europe and Mediterranean in Middle Ages
 Used longboats to attack villages along coasts and rivers
 Conquered British Isles, Finland, part of France, Germany, and Russia
 800s & 900s
 Vikings est. settlements in Iceland and Greenland
 1st Europeans to reach North America; led by Leif Eriksson
 1100s
 Raids ended
 Scandinavian chiefs strengthened kingdoms
 Norway, Sweden, & Denmark were most powerful
 1300s
 Denmark ruled a union of Scandinavian kingdoms and territories
 Eventually power challenged by Sweden
 1900s
 Scandinavian countries wanted their independence
 Today all but Greenland are independent countries
 Greenland remains part of Denmark as a self-ruling territory

3. SCANDINAVIA TODAY
 Countries are similar
 Same political views, language, and religion
 Wealthy cities, strong economies, and well educated
workers
 High standards of living & health care
 All peaceful, stable, and prosperous nations

4. SWEDEN
 Largest & most
populous
 Most live in cities &
towns
 For 200 years has
been neutral country
 Play active role in U.N.
and E.U.

5. DENMARK
 Once most powerful &
smallest
 Most densely
populated
 50% of land used for
farming
 Meat & dairy products
are important exports
 Modern industrial
economy
 Food processing,
machinery, furniture, &
electronics

6. GREENLAND
 Part of North America
 Territory of Denmark
 80% covered by thick
ice
 Interior of country is
uninhabitable
 Live mostly along
southwestern coast in
tundra climate
 Recent movement for
independence
 Economic problems
make it unlikely

7. NORWAY
 Long, narrow, & rugged
country
 Valuable resources
 Oil & natural gas
 Major fishing & shipping
country
 Fjords shelter harbors
 Citizens have refused to gain
E.U.

8. FINLAND
 Lies between Sweden
and Russia
 Trade is important
 Produces paper
products & forest
products
 Ship building and
electronics

9. ICELAND
 Greener than name
implies
 Fertile farmland
 Produce potatoes and
vegetables
 Supports cattle and
sheep
 70% of exports are fish
 Hot water from geysers
heats homes &
greenhouses