Scandinavia

Scandinavia through the centuries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland—Northern European countries with deep historical roots.

Denmark

Denmark is the country where the warlike Vikings emerged on the historical stage. The Vikings ruled Denmark for centuries and even expanded beyond the country's borders, reaching as far as North America. With the smallest land area among Scandinavian countries, Denmark is situated in Northern Europe between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, built on the Jutland Peninsula and 483 islands. The country has an indented coastline and fertile glacial plains with a cold climate; temperatures reach only 15-17°C in the warmest months and around 0°C in the coldest months. Due to afforestation efforts by citizens, only 10% of the country is forested, but Denmark is quite poor in underground resources. In the eastern part of the country, which is suitable for agriculture, barley, sugar beet and wheat are among the most cultivated crops. In animal husbandry, Denmark holds a notable position in Europe, particularly in milk and dairy products production. However, a large portion of the economy comprises fishing and ship and shipyard construction. Advanced facilities have been established for fish processing and obtaining fish oil. The processing of oil and its derivatives, and the production of industrial machinery are among the other important elements supporting the economy.

Friendship Agreement and Economic Relations

Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Denmark were established in 1925 with a "Friendship Agreement." In recent years, exports and imports between the two countries have strengthened their friendship. Among the products Turkey exports to Denmark are coal, transportation vehicles and electrical machinery, while among the products imported from Denmark are organic chemical products, pharmaceuticals, machinery and iron-steel.

Norway

Located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe with thousands of fjords along its coastline, Norway has access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Norwegian Sea. Quite rich in oil reserves, Norway ranks third after Saudi Arabia and Russia. After breaking away from Swedish sovereignty, the country has shown significant economic development. In addition to oil, natural gas and hydroelectric potential hold important positions in Norway's economy. Norway has 50 years of oil reserves and 100 years of natural gas reserves.

Norway's Hydroelectric Advantage

Norway serves as a model to other countries with the hydroelectric energy obtained from its dams. By collecting melted snow water in dam lakes, the country generates 98% of its electricity needs, which supports Norway's position as a modern industrial nation.

Fishing in Norway

Norwegians have adopted a philosophy in fishing, undertaking numerous initiatives on sustainability, environmental and wildlife protection, and standardized fishing procedures to safeguard their primary economic resources. Norwegian salmon from the Arctic waters where it originates is exported to 143 countries. The most important factor in the export of approximately 1 million tons of salmon annually is undoubtedly the combined result of technology and traditional fishing methods.

Turkey-Norway Trade Volume

Bilateral relations between Norway and Turkey have progressed positively since 1926. In particular, thanks to the "Strategic Document for the Development of Bilateral Relations" signed in 2008, Turkey's relations with Norway have strengthened further. Looking at trade volume between the two countries in recent years, it reached approximately USD 1.1 billion with a 6.7% increase. In January-November 2017, compared to the previous period, it increased by 17%, showing growth of USD 1.228 billion. Products Turkey exports to Norway include ready-made clothing, electrical machinery and equipment, textile products, fabrics, yarn, transportation vehicles, fruits and vegetables, and metals. Among products imported from Norway, natural gas ranks first, followed by mineral fuels and oils, fish and shellfish, and unprocessed plastics. Looking at the overall picture, Norway's investments in Turkey have occurred in shipping and energy sectors. Between 2002 and 2017, Norway's investments in Turkey reached USD 647 million. Turkey has made investments of around USD 190 million in Norway. Although small demographically, Norway's economic size ranks among the highest globally. In fact, due to its high standard of living, it does not wish to join the European Union. In two referendums held in the country, voters rejected European Union membership. In Norway, where living standards are high, the most significant acknowledged problem is the small youth population and the declining total population rate, which creates labor shortages.

Sweden

With its long coastlines, Sweden is neighbored by Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east, making it the largest country in Northern Europe. Despite being in the north and at the same latitude as Siberia, it is possible to experience four climates in Sweden, a role largely played by the Gulf Stream ocean currents. In the region north of the Arctic Circle, the sun does not rise in winter, while it does not set in summer. From a poor country in the 1850s, based on GDP, Sweden rose to 3rd place by the early 1970s and ranked among the most developed countries with its rapidly growing economy. Particularly during the periods between World War I and World War II, Sweden directed its economic policy toward education, science and industry. Investments in education, liberal policy, exports of forest products and iron ore, and support for free enterprise played an important role in this growth. Agriculture is conducted on only 10% of Sweden's land area, yet the country can meet 80% of its agricultural needs domestically. In the central and southern regions, wheat, barley and grain-based products are cultivated more abundantly.

Economy Rooted in Nature

The economy is fundamentally based on forest products and iron ore. These two important resources, which Sweden has possessed for centuries, have been transformed into more advanced products through correct policy and efficient use of natural resources, forming Sweden's economy. In addition to all this, through the foreign trade policy adopted by the country, Sweden has opened to the outside world thanks to strong brands.

Oil Crisis and Electricity Generation

When the calendar showed 1973, due to the "Oil Crisis," the Swedish Government's decision reduced the share of fossil fuels. Thus, since 1973, Sweden has been meeting its electricity needs from hydroelectric and nuclear energy. Turkey-Sweden trade volume in 2016 reached USD 2.68 billion. Among products Turkey exports to Sweden are textile products, motor vehicles and pharmaceuticals. Sweden's top imports from Turkey include iron-steel, petroleum oils and paper-cardboard.

Finland

Most of Finland's territory consists of plains, and the country is a Scandinavian nation located on the Baltic Sea coast in Northern Europe. Due to its geographic coordinates, Finland, particularly as one moves northward, experiences a cold climate.The country's history dates back approximately 10,000 years. Particularly from Russia and from the Baltics to the south, people came to this region and settled. From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the country was under Swedish sovereignty. Russia and Sweden fought many times during this period to annex Finland to their own territories. By the 1800s, the country fell into Russian hands, a situation that lasted until 1917. When 6 December 1917 arrived, the Finnish Parliament approved the declaration of independence and separated from Russia. As the country moved toward a new order, one year later, in 1918, civil war broke out, with the Reds and Whites in leading roles. The Reds, representing the working class, defeated the Whites, who represented the bourgeoisie; the war ended in late 1918, and thus the Republic was established by popular will. The country's economy has been based for many years on the processing of forest products. Logs cut in winter and transported down rivers in summer are used in the production of matches, plywood, and paper products. Since it is a depletable resource, mandatory reforestation work is carried out in forests. Although climate conditions are unfavorable, agriculture is an important factor in the economy. Some forested areas have been converted to agricultural land, where barley, potatoes, grain, sugar beet and fruit are cultivated. Due to its geographic location, Finland lacks sedimentary soils and is poor in underground resources. Gold, silver, sulfur, zinc, nickel, lead and vanadium are the main underground resources. Since part of the country's territory consists of wetlands, peat is extracted from these areas.

Industrialized Free Market Economy and Achievements

Finland's industrialized free market economy achieved gross domestic product of USD 230 billion in 2016, showing economic prosperity comparable to Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands. The country ranks among the leading important nations active particularly in forestry, metal processing, telecommunications, electronics and design—that is, in manufacturing industries. Turkish-Finnish political relations were established with the Friendship Agreement signed in 1924. According to data obtained in 2016, the trade volume between the two countries was determined as USD 1.234 billion. Products Turkey exports to Finland include pavement stones, automobiles and land vehicles. Among products imported from Finland are propylene, flat-rolled stainless steel products and polymers of other olefins. Approximately 80 Finnish companies operate in Turkey. In Finland, companies established by Turkish investors operate in mining, bicycle, electronics, textiles, machinery and furniture sectors.

Interesting Facts About Scandinavian Countries

• Norway is the world's largest salmon producing country. • Norway has been the largest supporter of rainforest protection in the Amazon. • Sauna is an important part of Finnish culture. • Norway is the country that consumes the most coffee and reads the most books in the world. • Norway is the country least affected by global warming. • Sweden meets 95% of its renewable energy from water. • Northern lights can be seen from space. • In Sweden, if your pet gives birth, you can take 6 months' leave. • Norway receives an influx of tourists particularly in November and March for those wishing to see the Northern Lights.

So What Are These Polar Lights?

Polar lights (Aurora) are natural light phenomena generally seen in polar regions, a nighttime luminescence. It is the natural phenomenon through which we can best understand the sun's effects on Earth. Polar lights, which can be observed with the naked eye, most often appear in the shapes of arcs, clouds and lines.

How Do Polar Lights Form?

The polar lights (Aurora) phenomenon occurs when charged particles in solar winds from the sun interact with the atmosphere and reach Earth's magnetic field. These particles collide with molecules in the atmosphere, releasing energy. Aurora is created with some of this energy. Polar lights are generally green in color but if they occur very high in the atmosphere, they can also take on red or pink hues. Prepared by: Çağla Köksal

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