Ultimately, theres a lot more to the Scandinavian peninsula than Ikea, minimalist designs, and breathtaking fashion. NEW VIDEOS EVERY THUR, FRI, SAT & SUN! 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. 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. Germanic It should be noted that human length, in general, is determined by a mixture of nature (genes) and nurture (diet), and there are also regions of the world that are believed to have a taller or shorter average height due to primarily genetic reasonssuch as the short Pygmee people of central Africa, and the tall Dinka people of South Sudan. These languages are usually divided into East Scandinavian (Danish and Swedish) and West Scandinavian (Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faroese) groups. However, in Scandinavian countries, when you leave work, you can go home and focus on your personal life its that simple. Finally, dont forget to take in the Swedish art that dots the landscape throughout the country. ): How Did Vikings Actually Look? The Nordic people as a whole really like the Swedes and Norwegians. 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. Fish such as herring, mackerel, and trout are rich in protein, omega-3s, and antioxidants, while rich selections of root vegetables and low GI rye bread . One thing thats particularly interesting when you look at Scandinavian culture facts is the way that these people approach work. Naturally, I wanted to see if this data held up based on my own experience, so I gathered all the hair and eye colors of 103 family members and friends who currently live in or around Malm, Sweden (one of the more culturally diverse cities in Sweden I should add). Norwegians are not religious. Scandinavian people also have traditionally had a diet rich in protein, fat, and carbs (crucial for significant muscle growth). Though differences in size are generally bigger between men and women than between different ethnicities. Whats more, now that surveys around the world suggest that people are having difficulties balancing their work and personal life, the Scandinavian culture is becoming even more appealing. Experts in the field suggest that this is largely a Swedish genetic trait, given that natural genetic selection along with a diet that is high in protein are what contribute to the above-average height of many Swedes. First, lets get to grips with the countries in Scandinavia. After all, they must be doing something right to continually appear in the lists of the happiest nations on earth. 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. Of course, not every Swedish person can be lumped into the same categories, but most agree that those traits are typical of the Swedes. Are Scandinavians and Nordics especially strong? Historically, . an average adjusted for the population of each country within the region), we can see that the Nordic and Baltic men are the tallest in the world, but as the Baltic ladies are slightly taller (0.5 cm / 0.2 in) than their Nordic sisters, the Baltics narrowly takes the prize as the tallest region in the World in front of the Nordics. Of course, not every Swedish person can be lumped into the same categories, but most agree that those traits are typical of . Finally, the fjord region of western Norway will give you a Scandinavian landscape sure to stay in your dreams for years to come. (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. The Egyptian Foot. If you have this type of foot you are likely to be mysterious and secretive. That means that employees arent always trying to figure out the hidden meaning behind co-worker jibes. (Complete Guide to Viking Traits), Recent advancements in DNA analysis tech have led to extraordinary insight into how Vikings looked, from hair and eye color to size and ancestry. The study shows the genetic history of Scandinavia was influenced by foreign genes from Asia and Southern Europe . Genetic links in Icelandic people. This article may contain affiliate links. Thus, they can potentially spare other people from the potential burden of having to help them out. While searching our database we found 1 possible solution for the: Scandinavian people crossword clue. All living humans who descended from Africa have about 2% Neanderthal DNA, and this includes Scandinavians. Editor's Choice Design Everyone's house looks like an IKEA showroom. 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. Vikings vs. Last Kingdom vs. Game of Thrones, Curious how The Last Kingdom compares to Vikings, and how they both compare to Game of Thrones? Bokml is more widely used by about 85 percent of Norwegians. How Did Vikings Actually Look? Spontaneous visits to someone are rare, and they may even be considered rude. Whether the Scandinavian beauty myth is real or not is hard to say, but Nordic magazine The Local listed Beautiful Women and Handsome Men among the top 10 things US expats notice after theyve lived in Sweden for a while. It has been presented that the ethnic group can also be perceived as a distinct Swedish-speaking nationality in Finland. People from all over the world with high cheekbones are often seen as attractive by todays standards, with Swedish beauty contestant Ida Ovmar as one recent example where its worked out in her favor. Obviously, not all Scandinavian women look the same, as they have different hair and eye colors, body types, and defining features. Scandinavia is the home of mid-century modernism and contemporary minimalism - white walls, clean lines and a distinct . Some of the main staples of traditional Scandinavian food include: Scandinavian countries arent always at the top of a persons wish list when it comes to vacations. From snow-capped mountains to the beautiful sight of leaves changing color in the Fall, there is something that will knock you back a few steps when you visit Sweden and see what it is all about. Copenhagen red light district: Where is it, and is it safe? The country has produced many great scientists and thinkers. Scandinavians do have curly hair, but as weve established most of them have wavy or straight hair. Not just in the big city of Stockholm, . Top Articles 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. Culture 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. The project . Contents show. People dont expect you to put in overtime. Nordic Traits It is fairly typical for quietness to be mentioned among Swedish peoples traits. The people are rude. The coastlines in Denmark cover 4,545 miles, and the total land area is 16,638 square miles. And because Scandinavian women fit those four main characteristics, people often consider them the most beautiful women in the world. Instead, one of the Swedish traits that many people pick up on is the fact that they like to stay back and remain quiet. Shopping What the Swedes have discovered (that the rest of the world could perhaps learn from!) Theres a little bit of controversy here, as different people seem to hold their own opinions about whether certain countries should be featured in the Scandinavian peninsula. People in the north of Europe traditionally consume a lot of fatty fish, rye bread, and root vegetables which have been shown to offer excellent health benefits. Well, some people have started to use the terms Nordic and Scandinavian somewhat interchangeably. 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! These events are simply more carefully planned and coordinated than they are in other countries. Another wave of migrants came into Scandinavia around 4800 years ago from the Russian steppes, originating from the northern shores of the Black sea and commonly called the Western Steppe Herders. Additionally, the same is true for the southern areas in Sweden. Sweden is one of the most egalitarian societies in the world. You shouldnt come on too strong when you first meet someone from Sweden. This is according to genetic research by Medland et al. Nordic Because Swedes can make reasonable economic . Thanks Jonna for your comment, and Im happy to hear you enjoyed the article! Anything that the country can do to brighten things up for people and bring a little joy into their lives is something that they are going to do. The men sport scraggly beards and brutish, battle-worn facial features. This is core to the Scandinavian culture where people are taught to think independently . However, people living close to the arctic circle are also exposed to extremely high UV exposure levels during the warmer half of the year (on par with Australia which is notorious for high levels of skin cancer) due to the ozone layer being thinner around the poles. Interestingly enough, religion just isn't an issue in Norway. In this a man advises his brother to stick with the prevailing Anglo-Saxon style and not enter into the "Danish fashion", which is described as a reverse "mullet" hairstyle, with . document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Facts about Scandinavia: Everything you need to know (and more). Data Lets also look at how Nordic people as a whole compare to people from other regions of the world in height: After adding up the individual country data and calculating a weighted average for each region (i.e. He was a Swedish engineer, chemist, and the inventor of dynamite. 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. This incredible location is packed full of unforgettable culture, awe-inspiring landscapes, and unique heritage. Many choose to combine their coffee with a food treat. When you don't remove your shoes before entering our house. However, the genome also indicates that many European traits, including those from the Middle East, were already present in the first Europeans. It should be added that those athletes are extreme outliers, and not at all representative of the general Nordic population. Although it isnt exactly common with Epicanthic folds among the Swedish population, Swedes with Sami heritage (famous examples include Jens Byggmark, Anja Prson and Ingemar Stenmark), and from the northern parts in general, have higher rates of Epicanthic eye folds. But sometimes it can be fun to discuss stereotypes some of which may just have an element of truth to them!). Or perhaps it is the fact that they have survived being prepared for the worse, and thus continue to think that way. Shoes You will be surprised how accurate it is! Therefore, many Swedish people are considered to be very beautiful, and the country has a reputation for being a place where many beautiful people live. They are also known to be somewhat shy and to be humble and less than warm to the eye of people coming by for an unplanned visit. Additionally, unlike many cultures around the world, Scandinavian people will avoid arguments at all costs. Peter Frost also supports this in his study titled European hair and eye color; finding that at least 60% of Scandinavian people have a light head of hair, and at least 50% have light eyes. Your email address will not be published. Born on October 21, 1833, he is one of the most famous people in the world. Most of these traits of Swedish people are highly desirable and highly appreciated. This does not mean that all Scandinavians look like this, but it does mean that this is the common view that most people to this day hold on what it means to look Scandinavian, including in the Scandinavian countries. But spend a few days in the country and youll definitely start to notice some physical traits appearing more often than others. Finland When you start to see that everyone seemingly has the same hair color, you are bound to take note of this and mark it down as something interesting and unique about the Swedish people. When you are eating meals that come later in the day, you may also enjoy some of the local seafood catches or even meat from a reindeer! Positive traits of the Swedish personality. Still, genealogists from Stockholm university believe modern Swedes are most closely related to the hunter-gatherers from the so-called Pitted Ware culture when it comes to physical appearance. And thats not even mentioning Roxette, Ace of Base, Avicii, Robyn, Swedish House Mafia, The Cardigans, Europe, Eagle-Eye Cherry Safe to say, we certainly owe the Swedish people a great debt of gratitude for all of the contributions they have made toward the advancement of pop music. People with blue eyes have the same genetic mutation that causes eyes to produce less melanin. Because people living in Norway are onto something - 18 things, in fact. The country continues to take the lead on issues such as creating sustainable sources of energy and working towards including more women in positions of power. I then categorized the colors as either light or dark: In other words, 85% of my friends and family in southern Scandinavia have light hair (ranging from blonde to light brown), and 75% have light eyes (blue, green, hazel, or grey). Especially people from the US or Southern countries feel repelled by . If you include Finland and Iceland in your map of the Scandinavian countries, then you should always make time to check out the Aurora Borealis. At least, some Swedish stereotypes do. The IceHotel is an area in the north of the country where temperatures are very low throughout most of the year and permafrost exists. (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. 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. Related: Why Are They Called Swedish Fish? Keep in mind that its quite chilly, but you can expect slightly warmer temperatures if you move closer towards the inland. Located just a short distance away from Stockholm, Swedens capital city, this cluster of amazing islands and rocky cliffs is a must-see. Because we don't like dirt being dragged all over the house. 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. 2. Life Many people are surprised when they receive the results of their genealogical DNA test. Scandinavian languages, also called North Germanic languages, group of Germanic languages consisting of modern standard Danish, Swedish, Norwegian (Dano-Norwegian and New Norwegian), Icelandic, and Faroese. 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. The First Scandinavian People. Again: love the site and the work behind with lots of information and I dont mean to complain. Another way to avoid conflicts is to not act in a brash way, but instead trying to display oneself as being humble. published in The American Journal Of Human Genetics. The idea of Jantelov isnt to see yourself as any less than you are but to recognise the inherent value of every individual person. 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? There are a couple of Scandinavian stereotypes valid throughout the region. Although some typical Swedish characteristics may be more well-known than others, Im fairly confident youll find these quickly coming out when you start to chat with the Swedes as you should, as theyre definitely a lot of fun! 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. All Scandinavians are wealthy. 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. The truth, as always, is a little more complicated than a simple good or bad. This may sound like quite a generalization (then again, isnt everything on this list!) An interesting thing about this is the fact that pale skin is considered highly desirable among many types of people. To elaborate on this, facial hair is included under the term androgenic hair, so based on data from the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, we see that over 70% of Nordic men (along with Mediterranean men) can grow a beard or mustache (which is well above the global average). In fact, a lot of people have a much higher percentage than they expected. In fact, there is an entire museum dedicated to ABBA in Stockholm, Sweden for people to visit. Of course, Swedes also have many positive personality traits. That is, they are not meaning to cut you out from their life or make things challenging. Are Epicanthic folds common in Scandinavia? The population of Finland is around 5,542,517 people making it a relatively small country. The further north you live, the less sunlight you get during the colder part of the year. A question of perspective. 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. Mythology but for many Swedes, this is something that they consider necessary in order to brace themselves for a major social gathering. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a9769233b40fbdc3f7fc31f716ac2283" );document.getElementById("j39e62affa").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Scandification 2023. It is also not as though all Dutch people look like twins. So what do the rest of the Nordics look like? Blue eyes are most common in Europe, especially Scandinavia. 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. Nonetheless, some believe that archetypes exist and attribute the shy and reserved traits to Scandinavian people. . The First Scandinavians Where Dark-skinned and Blue-eyed. In fact, the average height in Sweden is much taller than the world average. Their citizens have one of the longest life . Frequently derided by right-wing politicians as an example of everything wrong with Big . If you hear loud-speaking people in the public, they are either non-Swedish or drunk. When I came to Sweden for the first time I was really blown away by how good looking the people were in this country.