# Scandinavia **Scandinavia** is a distinct subregion of Northern Europe characterized by profound historical, cultural, and linguistic ties among its constituent nations. ### Geographical and Political Definitions The definition of Scandinavia varies depending on the context: * **Principal Definition:** Most commonly, the term refers to the three kingdoms of **Denmark**, **Norway**, and **Sweden**. * **Geographic Definition:** In a strictly physical sense, it may refer to the **Scandinavian Peninsula**, which encompasses mainland Norway and Sweden, along with a portion of northern Finland, but excludes Denmark. * **Broader Context:** In English-speaking contexts, the term is occasionally used interchangeably with the "Nordic countries," though strictly speaking, the latter also includes Finland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland. ### Cultural and Linguistic Identity The region is unified by shared heritage and North Germanic languages (**Danish**, **Norwegian**, and **Swedish**), which are largely mutually intelligible. These nations share a long history of political unions and social models, contributing to a cohesive regional identity that persists in modern international relations.