Contents show. History After all, if youre familiar with facts about Scandinavia, then youll know that all of the countries in the peninsula love their food. In fact, one of the traits of Swedish women is a desire to participate in decision-making. Probably one of the most impressive examples of Scandinavian nature, the archipelago is a diverse and beautiful landscape that youll spend days exploring. It is part of Swedish culture to try to allow others to take care of their own problems while staying on the sidelines and trying to mind their own business. We wanted to share some of the most interesting and impactful things that Swedish people are known for. The Egyptian foot shape is characterized by the perfect alignment of all your toes in a descending order. At least, some Swedish stereotypes do. DNA studies have also shown that around 40% of modern Swedish men have their roots in bronze age migrations from the Russian steppes, 40% from bronze age migrations via northern Germany, and 20% from before the bronze age migrations. They are self-confident, have enormous hearts with a gentle soul, and strongly believe in looking out for other people. It turns out that Swedes dont even like to discuss politics all that much. Its not in Scandinavian culture to hold grudges or seek out arguments. Scientists have posited many theories on why Scandinavian people have light . If you look exclusively at the original 3 countries in Scandinavia, then the region covers about 358,325 square miles and is home to approximately 21 million people. Of course, most famously, the band ABBA is from Sweden, and they were a big hit throughout the world. The official Scandi countries rank second, third and fourth on the list of the world's tallest people, pipped only by the Dutch. Whether you've heard rumors of polar bears wreaking havoc . In fact, a lot of people have a much higher percentage than they expected. The modern Irish population share many genetic similarities with Scottish and Welsh populations, and to a lesser extent the English. Within the central parts of Scandinavia, around Stockholm and Oslo, you can expect a slightly more continental and humid climate. In order to survive the UV-bombardment during summers as well as the lack of sunlight in the winters, the skin of Scandinavians have needed to be adaptable. However, Scandinavia isnt always as frozen as it may seem. Ive noticed that surgeons in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark all offer surgery to counteract this condition in case it disrupts your eyesight, or as an elective procedure for cosmetic reasons, and this procedure isnt as commonly seen in other areas of the world. Is the origin of this theory SVTs The first Swedes ? Whether they got tested by Ancestry DNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, or some other company, anyone with European ancestors is likely to show some degree of Scandinavian ancestry. When it comes to writing, there are two different versions of written Norwegian; Bokml and Nynorsk. Oslo Interestingly enough, religion just isn't an issue in Norway. So there is at least something to the myth from a North American perspective (beauty standards differ around the world, after all). It seems the research project is well-funded too (https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/atlas-med-forhistoriskt-dna-ger-ny-bild-av-manniskans-ursprung), so they seem to have the best tools available to analyze this type of scientific data. Keep in mind that its quite chilly, but you can expect slightly warmer temperatures if you move closer towards the inland. Scandinavian people also have traditionally had a diet rich in protein, fat, and carbs (crucial for significant muscle growth). Of course, not every Swedish person can be lumped into the same categories, but most agree that those traits are typical of . Sweden is one of the most egalitarian societies in the world. The region is famous not just for its incredible per-capita income, but also its low cost of living, fantastic government support, and amazing healthcare. In general, the weather is a combination of mild and pleasant with far less rain than you would get in the UK and other parts of Europe. This incredible location is packed full of unforgettable culture, awe-inspiring landscapes, and unique heritage. Only about 8 to 10 percent of the world is believed to have blue eyes. On the other hand, further north, theres a more subarctic climate similar to the weather youd find in Finland. Often, we think of stereotypes as negative. Do Scandinavians have natural white or platinum blonde hair? A possible explanation is that the Viking settlements in the northeast coast of the . Facts You may also be interested in: Do Swedish People Speak English (So You Can Live There)? The IceHotel is literally made of ice and snow and kept at a cool -4 degrees Celsius. Swedish people are known for being conflict-avoidant when socializing. (And the usual caveat for lists like this: not every Swede is going to be identical, nor are they all going to have the exact same personality traits. Rarely both. If you have this type of foot you are likely to be mysterious and secretive. Positive traits of the Swedish personality. It was considered a race or one of the putative sub-races into which some late-19th to mid-20th century anthropologists divided the Caucasian race, claiming that its ancestral homelands were Northwestern and Northern Europe, particularly to populations such as Anglo-Saxons, Germanic peoples, Balts, Baltic Finns . Between 1-10% of the population of Scandinavia have red hair according to studies that have mapped out the so-called red hair genes. These events are simply more carefully planned and coordinated than they are in other countries. country has remained out of all wars since 1814, when Crown Princess Victoria and her partner, Daniel, got married. It is because of the lower than average exposure to the sun. They have had more success doing this than you might imagine, and this has helped further solidify their reputation as a place that hates war and wants people to avoid conflict. After all, they must be doing something right to continually appear in the lists of the happiest nations on earth. Studies show that most Scandinavian men are generally able to grow a full beard if they choose to do so, which of course not everyone does. According to Swedish scientific magazine Illustrerad Vetenskap, this type of microevolution developed as a response to the cold and snowy climate in the Arctic region, as the fatty fold isolates against freezing temperatures and shields the bright reflection of the snow somewhat. Usually, the climate in Norway is relatively cold and wet, but its still home to around 5,353,363 people. Once again, not everyone in Sweden will look like this. Scandinavian women have very clean stances in their professional and personal lives. People who had access to more or better food in the Viking age were often taller than the average person due to having . They know that youll do your best when youre on the job, and then leave work behind you when you return home. Below the neck, this body hair is generally concentrated on the arms and legs in the Nordics. Norse Ive written an analysis of The Last Kingdom if you want to find out if its worth watching or not. Among the Sami people (hailing from Northern Scandinavia), high cheekbones are very common. The First Scandinavians Where Dark-skinned and Blue-eyed. . Language Ive compared them thoroughly in different categories and analyzed what online critics on IMDb and other sites think, in order to answer which show is the best of the three. It should also be added that the countries around the Dinaric Alps in Western Balkans would place in the top if S.E. They don't just drive everywhere, they walk, cycle, and hike. . To an outsider, Scandinavia can seem like a group of small, difficult-to-tell-apart Nordic countries. A reason non-Scandinavians can believe this is the difference between cultural norms. Though differences in size are generally bigger between men and women than between different ethnicities. Bokml is more widely used by about 85 percent of Norwegians. Currency in Norway: What currency is used in Norway? Natural platinum blonde or near-white hair occurs occasionally among the population in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, primarily among children (as hair tends to darken with age). This makes them the second-rarest color (behind green), and that is what is so enticing about them. Speaking of beaches, dont forget to visit the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen if you decide to go to the countrys capital. If youre curious about how exactly Nordic people communicate with each other, Ive written an article where I go into detail aboutwhich languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics. Many of the Scandinavian countries are becoming increasingly diverse but they remain to be some of the safest places on the planet. Many people are surprised when they receive the results of their genealogical DNA test. Overall, the scientists found that people who lived in Scandinavia exhibited high levels of non-Scandinavian ancestry, pointing to a continuous exchange of genetic information across the broader . Anyway, I just had my DNA tested and I'm 67% Scandinavian. The social events that they do attend are planned well in advance, and they are given notice so that they can prepare themselves for this type of socializing. Because we don't like dirt being dragged all over the house. While most people belong to the Lutheran Church of Norway, it by no means indicates that they go to church or even believe in a higher power. Shopping Popular opinion and mainstream media depict the Vikings in a similar fashion. You can see the nights sky in ways that you never have before, and the experience is awe-inspiring. They will avoid the topic when possible (unless they happen to be a politician themselves), and they prefer to change the subject to matters that are less divisive. This goes back to the fact that they are a humble group of people who are not keen on boasting about their accomplishments. This may sound like quite a generalization (then again, isnt everything on this list!) Part of the reason for this is that the two regions share a very similar way of life. This warm, mineral-rich pool sits in the middle of an 800-year-old lava field. Scandinavian watches: What are the best Scandinavian watch brands? Rather, humans around the world generally consider reproductive factors such as waist-to-hip ratio and other indicators of fertility and health as attractive, rather than a specific eye/hair/skin color or similar. Denmark Do Scandinavians have a lot of facial hair? Either way, we are dealing with theories in the end so all we can do is to look at the data we have available and make the best and most logical assumptions we can. Todays Scandinavians are about 65%-80% Scandinavian as far as DNA goes, with the rest of the DNA being primarily Finnish, Western European, British, Eastern European, and Irish (all are > 1%). On the other hand, Iceland is found just west of Ireland and southeast of Greenland, just below the Arctic Circle. One of the key characteristics of Swedish culture is that Swedes are egalitarian in nature, humble and find boasting absolutely unacceptable. Swedes are accustomed to the cold and dark. Scandinavians and other Europeans are tall on average primarily due to a vastly improved diet from the mid-1800s and onwards according to Lars Werdelin, a professor in paleozoology at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. So the theory is that on top of any Vitamin D youd get from the sun, Scandinavians have also stocked up on it via their fish intake. Nordic ): How Did Vikings Actually Look? Scandinavian babes are accommodating, compassionate and quite generous, so they . It is very common to see Swedish physical traits of blonde hair, blue eyes, a tall figure, pale skin, and thin lips. Second, early Scandinavian ancestors are thought to have been dark-skinned, but after mixing with other populations and adapting to the geographical area this trait eventually disappeared. The average height of both males and females is high in Scandinavian countries when you look on a global scale, with the Nordic countries all ranking among the tallest 20 countries, and all with a male average height over 180 cm (5 ft 10 in). For instance, Scandinavian people could leave a baby stroller on the street outside of a store . People here don't partake in the rest of the Western world's paranoia that, if you leave your baby's stroller unattended for a second, someone will probably steal it - so they'll routinely just leave it on the pavement while . The Egyptian Foot. The traits for a Scandinavian management style was defined in an article in MandagMorgen, 22 June 2004: . Most Swedes have blue eyes. When it all comes down to it the classic Nordic/Scandinavian stereotype seems to hold true still. You sound like you are jealous of white people. For instance, Scandinavian people could leave a baby stroller on the street outside of a store, and they wouldnt be worried that something would happen to it. How Did Vikings Actually Look? Movies Aside from countless television shows and reports giving us a peak behind the curtain into Scandi experiences, there are also various reports that seem to highlight the value of a Scandinavian lifestyle. Streaming Tips Dont mistake this lack of warmth as being anti-social though. That, and the fact that blue eyes are a mutation that developed long ago and has remained in the population ever since. But sometimes it can be fun to discuss stereotypes some of which may just have an element of truth to them!). This crossword clue was last seen on February 21 2023 LA Times Crossword puzzle. Yes, in every country or area, people have specific physical traits, but Dutch DNA is complicated and intertwined. Hooded eyes are prevalent in the Scandinavian population, and studies have shown that about 18 percent of northern Europeans have so-called sagging eyelids (which is related to hooded eyes but more specifically excess skin over your eye that may or may not disrupt your vision). The country is very small, covering only 39,768 square miles. Malm These languages are usually divided into East Scandinavian (Danish and Swedish) and West Scandinavian (Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faroese) groups. Science This may be because Swedish personality traits lean towards open-mindedness and a desire for knowledge and exploration. In the rest of the Nordics (namely Iceland, Finland, and the Faroe Islands) the people tend to look very similar to the Scandinavians, with especially Finland having a very large majority of their population being light-haired (blonde, light-brown, red) and light-eyed (blue, green, grey) according to Peter Frost. In Scandinavian regions, everyone expects everyone else to perform to the same standard. How do Finland and Iceland fit into this facts about Scandinavia guide? Theres very little to worry about when living in Scandinavia. Everyone's house looks like an IKEA showroom. What are typical Swedish characteristics when socializing? On top of that, theres a common practice among Scandinavian people to say what you mean and mean what you say. It is a special time for people to take a step back and allow themselves to relax a little from the stresses of the day. The relationship between Norway and the Euro. Europe had been split up into smaller sub-regions, as these countries are among the tallest in the world. Viking identity was not limited to people with Scandinavian genetic ancestry. Whats more, the Scandinavian countries are consistently rated among the happiest locations in the world. High levels of Vitamin D produces more melanin, which in simple terms enables skin to tan instead of burn. The further north you live, the less sunlight you get during the colder part of the year. While Scandinavian people indulge in sweet treats and fatty foods, they don't binge too often. So, what can we learn from Scandinavian people? Mythology published in The American Journal Of Human Genetics. Enjoy your visit! Year after year, Scandinavian countries earn the top spot on the United Nations list of the happiest countries in the world. People with Scandinavian . How are Scandinavians (Swedes, Danes, Norwegians) so tall? However, it offers a very different kind of appeal that makes it a must-see for anyone with a passion for beauty. Common Traits of Scandinavian Women. The new Battle Axe culture that slowly spread and took over the Scandinavian region is thought to have been a bit more individualistic and was known for how their men were buried with their big battle axes. Whether these traits stem from a diverse pre-bronze age population, geographical conditions, or the modern diet of the region as a whole is hard to say, but they all likely played some part at least. The idea of Jantelov isnt to see yourself as any less than you are but to recognise the inherent value of every individual person. The average height in Sweden is 175.5cm, which is the same height as your average model. The next time you notice something about a building that indicates that it has some sustainability features, you should note that you are likely looking at something that has Swedish influence imprinted on it. Not every piece is hung up in a museum somewhere. He was a Swedish engineer, chemist, and the inventor of dynamite. Names Just like with most other countries, the Swedish royalty doesnt hold true political power, but they are the symbolic head of the country regardless. As a native Swede with a Finnish mother, Karl identifies as both Nordic and Scandinavian. What are typical Swedish personality traits? The project . One of the best reasons to include Iceland in the Scandinavian region is that it offers some of the most impressive sights in the world. 1. Without getting into obvious stereotypes like assuming that all Scandinavian people have blond hair and blue eyes, there are some common traits to consider too. The Scandinavian Personality Traits have been under investigation since the late 1800's. There have been multiple publications that have looked at how the Scandinavian Personality Traits are prevalent as much as the light hair and light eyes are prevalent in people with heritage in this region of Europe. Karl, Clothes Read Article Now. All Rights Reserved. Even so, Swedish DNA lives on in those of us who are descended from people who lived in those places once ruled by Sweden, including . Swedish personality characteristics include humbleness, open-mindedness, honesty, creativity, quietness, competitiveness, and fairness. Research done into the DNA of the Irish has shown that our old understanding of where the population of Ireland originated may have been misguided. Scandinavian people take a moderate approach to all things in lifefrom food to work. There is a word in the Swedish language that refers to the coffee break that many people take throughout their work day. (Complete Guide), Recent advancements in DNA analysis tech have led to extraordinary insight into how Vikings looked, from hair and eye color to size and ancestry. Swedes are humble people, most of them can even be considered as reasonable. Scientifically speaking, there are a couple of factors that could play in the Scandinavians favor as far as sexual selection and attractiveness go: I want to point out that beauty is entirely objective, and what is considered attractive for some may not be for others. If you hear loud-speaking people in the public, they are either non-Swedish or drunk. People who are native to regions close to the Scandinavian Peninsula are likely to show relatively higher amounts of Scandinavian DNA. Culture For another deep-dive into Scandinavian looks, Ive plowed through massive amounts of archaeological objects and DNA analysis to find out how Vikings actually looked (how big they were, how they wore their hair, where they came from, their hair and eye color, etc. Most Norwegian People Can Speak English. Thus, they can potentially spare other people from the potential burden of having to help them out. Instead, one of the Swedish traits that many people pick up on is the fact that they like to stay back and remain quiet. Theres something to be gained from this mindset particularly in the work environment. People trust that youre doing your job well, and things just work. The Swedish concept of individualism is often practiced to avoid bothering others. Sweden is blessed to have some of the most beautiful landscapes and weather conditions of anywhere in the world. About 125 inscriptions dated from ad 200 to . A genetic study of Viking-age human . (Swedish Fish Facts!). Ovmar has even been accused of having undergone plastic surgery due to her high cheekbones, a claim she rebuffs by simply pointing to her Sami background (which seems plausible judging by the picture below to the left). Swedish girl names: Your list of top Swedish female names, Swedish boy names: Popular Swedish male names, Viking video games: Video games with Viking and Norse mythology, The Best Bike Tours in Copenhagen, Denmark. . Scientists are now able to create eerily realistic facial reconstructions, getting us closer than ever to finding out who they were and what the Vikings looked like. Did you know that the Nordic countries (including Sweden) consume the most coffee per capita of any country on Earth? . Brands from Sweden: What are the most famous Swedish brands? However, in Scandinavian countries, when you leave work, you can go home and focus on your personal life its that simple. Certain sources emphasise this, such as an anonymous letter written in Old English. Depending on which combination of the genes you have, you will develop either red hair and freckles, only red hair, or only freckles. There are plenty of places you can visit to get a closer look at the fjords, including Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord and more. It doesnt matter how close the people are to one another relationally, it is not ideal to try to have a spontaneous visit in Sweden. When you go to a Scandinavian house, expect to remove your shoes in the hallway. Except when there's a party (although, please ask first and never wear heels on our nice wooden floors). The Scotland's DNA project, led by Edinburgh University's Dr Jim Wilson, has tested almost 1,000 Scots in the last four months to determine the genetic roots of people in the country. We couldnt bring an end to this Scandinavian facts guide without giving you an insight into some of the incredible food youll find in the region. While perhaps not homely in appearance, the women nevertheless possess an edgy, rustic look befitting the harsh living conditions of Scandinavia during the Viking Age. They're all socialists. That is, they are not meaning to cut you out from their life or make things challenging. English Get some Scandi spirit in your home with our premium museum-quality prints sent right to your doorstep with free shipping worldwide. NEW VIDEOS EVERY THUR, FRI, SAT & SUN! Stockholm The first inhabitants of the Scandinavian peninsula came from the south with darker skin and blue eyes (known as Western Hunter-Gatherers), later joined by migrants from the east (known as Eastern Hunter-Gatherers) who had lighter skin but darker eyes. People in Scandinavia dont have to pay to get assistance from a doctor, and there are benefits available if you cant find work. So, let's set a few things straight! An interesting thing about this is the fact that pale skin is considered highly desirable among many types of people. By the way, if you'd like to connect to your inner Scandinavian with some stylish prints and clothing, I've created a collection of high-quality and authentic Nordic posters and apparel. Denmark is home to approximately 5,747,830 people as of the 2018 census. Stereotypical character traits that are associated with Welsh people include that they are good singers, obsessed with rugby, proud and nationalistic, friendly and jokey, and country bumpkins. The characteristic of this minority is debated: while some see it as an ethnic group of its own some view it purely as a linguistic minority. Historically, . Not only does Scandinavia have some of the happiest people on the planet, but it also has some of the most appealing landscapes too. Throughout Scandinavian history the people in the region have had a diet very high in Vitamin D due to a high amount of fish present in the diet. How Nordics and Scandinavians see each other, an article where I go into detail about Viking traits and looks, which languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics, how Vikings actually looked (how big they were, how they wore their hair, where they came from, their hair and eye color, etc. Hello, slow tv. Scandinavia before the bronze age had the most genetically diverse population in Europe, with the original darker skinned people being present much longer in Scandinavia compared to the rest of Europe (where the light-skinned farmers pushed away the dark-skinned hunters almost entirely). Theyd pick someone up on the side of the road if they were lost, and they frequently donate a lot to charitable organisations. This means Scandinavian hair mostly fall into these categories: So Scandinavian hair color is mostly light in character, but what types of characteristics does Scandi hair have? The men sport scraggly beards and brutish, battle-worn facial features. Curious how Vikings actually looked like? Now scroll down and see what your feet reveal about your personality. The reasons for this are similar to the reasons why they often have pale skin as well. Nordic dishes tend to have fewer ingredients than their southern counterparts. Finland is part of the Nordic region, and therefore bound politically, culturally, and financially to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland in modern times. IKEA stores are so popular with people that many simply walk through them just to say that they have been through one and getting an IKEA Swedish meatball is just a bonus!