In a direction restricts the Northern Europe generally indicates Scandinavian Pays, and/or Scandinaves. In a broader vision Northern Europe indicates all the Northern half of the Europe.
From a geographical point of view Northern Europe can be defined as being the worldwide opening on the North Sea and the Baltic (in the same manner that Europe of the South can be defined compared to the the Mediterranean).
The Germanic languages and the Protestant tradition are often regarded as important characteristics of the culture of the countries north-Europeans.
Geographical definition
Restricted vision
See also: Scandinavian Countries
The definition of Northern Europe is variable according to perceptions; it includes according to the most restrictive vision:
In this case, one speaks about the Scandinavian Countries.
Widened vision
To the restricted vision are generally added:- Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania;
- the United Kingdom;
- Country of the the Benelux countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands;
- Germany (in particular the northern half, south being generally rather associated with the Central Europe);
- Poland.
This vision is close to the North-South opposition which opposes Europe of the South Latin and Mediterranean (cf Latin Europe) to Protestant Northern Europe of Germanic languages.
One can also associate with this vision the Austria, the German-speaking Switzerland and the the Alsace-Moselle (linguistically and culturally related to Northern Europe).
Vision of UNO
According to the definition of UNO, Northern Europe gathers:-
Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark;
- ;
- Iceland;
- the United Kingdom;
- Ireland;
- Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania.
Other areas of Europe
See also: Contenu=Insertion of Northern Europe among the other European units, to see: [[Geography of Europe#Régions of Europe]], [[Areas of Europe]]
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