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Comment by Trafz | Hacker News Reader

Finland isn't a part of Scandinavia. The culture doesn't matter. A lot of countries share a "Western Culture". Doesn't mean that what happens in 1 country, happens in all of them.

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It's not black and white, because the term is used for both culture and geography, and I say that as arguably-Scandinavian myself:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavia#Use_of_Nordic_coun...

This Wikipedia link actually describes it well. I am originally from Finland but been living abroad most of my life. After few years abroad I learned that there is no use to correct people "Finland is not Scandianvia" because apart from Finland and actual Scandinavia rest of the world says Scandinavia.

A lot of people confuse 'Scandinavian' with 'Nordic'. Scandinavia is a geographical description, Nordic is more cultural, which includes Scandinavia, Finland and Iceland.

Poor Estonia suffers neglect. :)

‣ https://satwcomic.com/new-nordic

‣ https://satwcomic.com/greatest-authority

‣ https://satwcomic.com/imposter

‣ https://satwcomic.com/party-crasher

I was actually considering including Estonia in my list, but they are not a member of the Nordic Council. And Estonia's Nordic bona fide is a matter of dispute. Personally, I believe Estonia to be a Nordic country, including having the Nordic Cross design variant of the Estonian flag hanging on my wall.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Estonian_alternative_flag... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Estonia#Nordic_flag_pr...

Furthermore, in an article about military history, Scandinavia is understood - in a military geopolitical context - to only include Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

And what about the Faroe Islands? The people of the Orkney and Shetland Islands of Scotland are fond of claiming Scandanavian heritage too.

I would argue an independent Scotland could become the 6th Nordic nation.

Of course, I enjoy being contrarian more than I probably should.

I'm Swedish, if that matters.

Well it's certainly northerly anyway.

It also has a similar culture, weather and history.

Not sure if any Scots agree, but it seems right to me at least.

as a half finn half dane, this is incorrect. Nordic countries aka Pohjoismaat does include Finland, Scandinavia does not.

Scandinavians usually include Finland in the term.

Though some do insist on that distinction. They're kinda right, but don't get invited to parties.

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