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Comment by bahmboo | Hacker News Reader

FYI Norway is not in the EU. Whether they are European is a matter of perspective and I'm not touching that subject any further! Deutschland is in the EU.

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Norway is as close as you can get without formally being a member. It's not just the EEA, it's also a member of essentially all EU programs that aren't closed off for non-member states. That Norway is European is not a matter of perspective.

Do you know any Norwegians? I don't have an opinion but many of my Norwegian relatives think the European thing is not just terminology and is a label from outside. Swedes and Fins too. [edit: I changed a fair bit of wording in the first few minutes of the post]

All the scandinavians I met in France clearly think they are as much european as me, I don't know where you find yours.

Despite not being in the EU, Norway is European without the slightest doubt.

Source?

> Whether they are European is a matter of perspective

What? Scandinavia isn't part of Europe now? The "EU" is an organization, "Europe" is a continent. "European" includes everybody living in Europe (and yes, that even includes the Brits and most Russians).

I shouldn't have to explain this stuff. The Nordic countries are exceptionalist in my understanding from talking to them. It's an easy search to go down this rabbit hole. It's a little different from Catalan wanting to be independent but still European. This is not my area of knowledge I have just been exposed multiple times first hand. Where are my scando fin buddies to chime in? Lulz

Looking at a map Norway is on the same continent as Vietnam so that statement makes no sense. Please have some sort of context and understanding before making such statements. They "seem" to be part of Europe but they have historically wanted to have it both ways: one foot in one foot out. Go research it yourself I am probably totally wrong! HN comments are not a reference source.

There's a clearly defined border between the continents Europe and Asia.

I guess the confusion comes from thinking of "European" as some sort of cultural identity (which frankly doesn't exist, unless you only look at the last hundred years or so, and even that is generous), instead of the people living in the geographical region called "Europe".

This is false. Europe and Asia are on the same continent on the same tectonic plate.

Your 2nd point is spot on. This is where the cultural distinction matters.

> Europe and Asia are on the same continent on the same tectonic plate.

By that definition India would be its own continent because the country largely sits on its own tectonic plate.

Also Europe and Asia are continents, they're not on the same continent (same landmass: sure).

Talk to the geologists I don't get to decide and neither do you.

You heard it here first folks, 'Norway is no more European than Vietnam.'

Lol. Yah this is not a great discussion. My point is that I don't get to decide if Norway is Europe. Keep me out of this!

OMG these responses are truly reddit empty brain stuff that can't even bother to look up the simplest thing. Little boys with reactions and opinions! Did you hear about my opinion?

Norway is even more European than Canada and Israel!

Norway is part of the scalp of the earth. Just saying

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