Scandinavia, Ferries and Ferry Crossings

Welcome to the Scandinavia section of FerryCrossings.org, the site for information about major UK and continental ports and the ferries between them. Our site includes an introduction to a number of ports and feature pages about the various crossing ways, lanes, routes and companies operating between them to help you plan your journey and discover interesting travel destinations along the way.

Historically, Scandinavia is the collective term for the countires of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The term appears to have come into use in the early 1800s. Sometimes Finland is included within this group when 'Scandinavia' is referred to.

Denmark

Modern Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, with a population of just less than five and a half million, and is the most southerly of the three Scandinavian nations. It has, almost by necessity, a strong sea-faring tradition and heritage owing to the contry's physical make-up. Mainland Denmark is the Jutland peninslua of Europe, bordering Germany to the south and with the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to her west and east. The remainder of Denmark is made up of countless islands of varying sizes, most importantly Zealand, Funen, Vendsyssel-Thy, Lolland, Falster and Bornholm. This location, historically, gave Denmark control of shipping entering or leaving the Baltic Sea and, therefore, control of the important Baltic trading ports. Denmark's Viking heritage is strong and it was Danish Vikings who founded the Danelaw in 9th and 10th century Britain, whose rule eventually covered most of England, reaching out from Anglia into the east, north and south of the country, until the mid 11th century.

Archaeological evidence evidence of occupation has been found in Denmark dating back almost 15000 years. During the Viking years the sea faring skills of the Danes was important not just for invasion but also in trade, and trading routes were established deep into Europe and to Constantinople, capitol of the mighty Byzantine Empire.

Unlike its mountainous Scandinavian neighbours, Denmark is relatively flat and no point in Denmark is further from the sea than about 50km. Cities and towns of importance, in Denmark, include Copenhagen, the capital which is on the island of Zealand, Odense, Aarhus, Aahlborg and Esbjerg. In Copenhagen visitors will find numersous places to visit including the tivoli Gardens, Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, the Cathedral, The Opera House and, of course, the tiny but iconic statue of 'The Little Mermaid' sitting on its rock in the city's harbour. Aarhus, Denmark's 2nd largest city, dates back to Viking times and is one of the oldest in the country. The city's impressive cathedral is one of the largest in Europe.

Mainland Denmark is linked to Zealand by a road brdge and, from 2000, to Sweden by the Oresund road and rail bridge. The bridge links Copenhagen with Malmo in Sweden and is almost 9 kms long.

Finland

Finland shares borders with Sweden, Norway and Russia and her capital city is Helsinki. The country is sometimes wrongly included with Norway, Sweden and Denmark when 'Scandinavia' is referenced. Finland is large physically but only sparsely populated (almost 5.5 million) with the majority living in the southern areas of the country. Archaeological evidence shows that people have lived in Finland since the Stone Age, in the wake of the retreating Ice Age. For much of the last millennium, from the mid 13th century to the early 19th, Finland was under the rule of the Swedish kings, and the dominant language of administration and the nobility was Swedish. Finnish was still spoken in some areas but was the language of the peasants. The country gradually became converted to Luther's brand of Protestantism in the 16th century. Famine in the closing years of the 17th century wiped out almost one third of the population and in the 18th century Finland found herself caught between warring Russia and Sweden and was twice forcibly occupied by Russian Forces.

At the beginning of the 18th century, during Sweden's war with Russia, Finland was taken by the Russians and declared a Russian Grand Duchy. This freedom from Sweden's control led to an upsurge in the desire to re-establish the Finnish language and heritage. Subsequently, legal equal-status for the language was achieved in 1892. Famine had once more struck Finland, in the 1860s, killing a catastrophic 15% of the population. As Finland entered the 20th century, and Russia attempted to limit Finland's rights, the movement towards independence strengthened considerably. The Revolution in Russia provided the necessary catalyst for change and in 1918 independence was declared. There followed a relatively brief but harsh internal power struggle in which the 'whites' supported by Germany (as opposed to the 'reds' supported by Revolutionary Russia) prevailed. In the aftermath of the struggle many thousands of real and suspected 'red' sympathisers were imprisoned in camps. For many their fate was sealed; execution, or death as a result of starvation or disease. In 1919 Finland became a Presidential Republic.

During the Second World War Finland had her own agenda and was in conflict with Russia through most of it. Peace Treaties after the war saw Finland conceding some territories to Russia. About 400,000 people fled from these areas rather than stay under Russian rule. In the years that followed Finland managed to stay on cordial terms with Russia whilst maintaining a western-style free market economy and the country joined the European Union in 1995.

Much of Finland is relatively flat, covered by Lakes, islands and forests. This vast and varying habitat supports a great number of different species of animals, fish, birds, reptiles and plants. It is here that brown bear, grey wolf, elk and reindeer can be found. Smaller mammals found here include the flying squirrel, arctic fox, mountain hare and wolverine. Golden eagles, whooper swans and capercaillie also make their home here. In the waters can be found Atlantic salmon, pike and perch. The endangered lake seal, Saimaa Ringed seal, has become the emblem of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.

Finland's climate ranges from it being suitable for farming grain crops in the south, to Lapland where short, mild summers are the norm. Winter can last up to 7 months in Lapland, northern Finland. Up until the last few years Finland probably wasn't the first place that you thought of in terms of a holiday, but the last few years have seen big changes in that. One of the more obvious attributes is the untouched quality of the terrain; the virgin forests and unspoiled landscape. There are 35 National Parks but there are also many events, festivals and heritage sites to attract tourists. There are cruises between islands; there are innumerable outdoor pursuts including golf, fishing, hiking and kayaking. Culturally, one of the greatest names to come out of Finland is that of Sibelius, composer of the iconic 'Finlandia'.

Norway

Almost the first thing that comes to mind when one hears the word, 'Norway', is 'fjords'. The Norwegian fjords are breathtakingly beautiful and visiting them brings all the old folk stories and legends of Norse Giants, Gods and Heroes to life. Norway is a country whose borders extend to inside the Arctic Circle. Visit Norway in the late autumn and early spring months and you can witness Nature's glorious spectacle, the Northern Lights. The further north you go, the more dramatic and spectacular the aurora borealis becomes. In summer, Norway becomes the 'Land of the Midnight Sun'.

For the adventurous Norway appears to offer almost everything; visitors can ski, climb, walk, and raft. For those less eneergetic, or adventurous, the country offers roads and railways that pass through glorious landscapes, cross mountains and follow rivers. UNESCO heritage sites in Norway include the Vega Islands, Røros, The Geirangerfjord, The Nærøyfjord, Urnes Stave Church, and Bryggen - the Hanseatic wharf in Bergen.

The list of notable figures emerging from Norway appears endless, household names that are known throughout the world, such as the artist Edvard Munch, the musician Edvard Grieg and the writer Henrich Ibsen.

The main towns and cities of Norway include, Stavanger, Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim and Tromso. City visits reward visitors with museums and galleries showcasing everything from locally themed exhibitions to international collections of art to museums dedicated to the cultural heritage of Norway, land of the Norsemen and Vikings, who through their extraordinary sea-going skills and warlike nature, influenced the heritage of the many lands they invaded and colonise throughout the world. There are shopping malls, places to eat and drink, theatres and music to enjoy, festivals and special events to visit - anything and everything to make your holiday memorable.

Sweden

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and has something of a reputation for progressive thinking and liberality. It is a country with breathtaking scenery, vibrant and cosmopoliton cities and a cultural heritage reaching back thousands of years. Many famous names have come out of Sweden, for instance the popular tennis player and Wimbledon Champion, Bjorn Borg; arguably Sweden's most influential playwright and author, Johan August Strindberg; the writer Astrid Lindgren; the unforgettable pop group ABBA; and, most noteworthy of all, Alfred Nobel who instituted the Peace Prize.

Sweden is famous throughout the world for the design concepts that became so popular in the mid 20th century when simplicity met functionality, and beauty was the end result across sculpture, fabrics, interior design and furniture.Today the country still enjoys the reputation of being a leader in design and, if you want to see and know more, Stockholm will reward a visit with shopping centres promoting the best in both contemporary and traditional designs.

Evidence of Sweden's ancient and Viking heritage is everywhere, whether its on the rocks with carved runes, burial mounds or historic sites, and invites the passing tourist to stop and investigate. Towns and cities to visit in Sweden include Gothenburg, Dalarna, Stockholm, and Malmö. Sweden boasts a host of heritage sites, mueums, palaces and manor houses which reflect the the country's importance in the lat 2000 years. Try the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, dedicated to the 17th century battleship; or visit The Mine Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Falun. Another UNESCO World Heritage isTanum, where the visitor is taken back over 3000 years to Bronze Age Sweden as you see the rock paintings depicting the daily life of a people. The 350 groups of pictures show people, animals, ships and sleighs together with hunting scenes and everyday activities. See Kalmar Castle, a harbour fortification, dating from the 14th century, sitting in a defensive position on what was the border with Denmark. If opera and music is on your wish-list then Malo Opera and Music Theatre is well worth a visit.

Wildlife abounds in Sweden and, in more remote areas, wild musk ox, lynx, wolves and bears roam freely. Lakes, caves, mountains and rushing rivers cover vast areas of Sweden - a wilderness waiting to be explored. Kebnekaise is Sweden's highest mountain; Lake Kallsjön is on the north side of the mountain peak, Åreskutan, on whose slopes wildlife abounds including fox, hare, reindeer, grayling and char. Visit the alpine areas of Sylarna and Helags where glaciers have formed. National Parks are numerous including a group of four, known collectively as Laponia, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site recognising its importance both in the landscape and for its historic Sami culture. Within this group can be found the stunningly magnificent Sarek National Park. Other National Parks, each with their own unique attributes, are

Vadvetjåkka, Muddus, Pieljekaise, Haparanda Archipelago, Perämeri/Bottenviken and Skuleskogen. The High Coast on the Gulf of Bothnia is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and situated on the east coast of Sweden. Sweden's coastal line, crammed with groups of tiny islands, is a paradise for lovers of all kinds of water sports and activities, and for watching birdlife and wildlife, particularly seals.