The Scandinavian Mountains or the Scandes surround the Scandinavian Peninsula. Over 1,700 kilometers of mountains may be found throughout Scandinavia. Moreover, the range is divided into two countries Norway and Sweden. However, in this article, we are going to discuss how does the Scandinavian mountain range affect Norway and Sweden.
A group or chain of mountains that are near to one another is called a mountain range. Mountain ranges are usually separated from other mountain ranges bypasses and rivers. Mountain ranges are formed by a diversity of geological processes, all the significant mountains on Earth are the result of plate tectonics.
In this area, the mountains are not extremely tall. However, due to their extreme steepness, all mountains are incredibly difficult to climb. The highest peak in northern continental Europe is located in southern Norway and is called Galdhpiggen Mountain. While the highest point in Sweden is Kebnekaise. The highest point in Finland is Halti. Halti, the highest point, is located in Norway.
The Scandinavian mountain range, however, is almost completely related to the terrestrial ecoregion of montane beech woodland and grassland.
The North Sea and Nowrign Sea are where the west Scandinavian mountains meet. And the mountain’s northwest side struck Finland. As a result, occasionally Finland’s northwest is included in the Peninsular section.
What Is Scandinavian Mountain Range?
Do you know which mountain range spans Sweden and Norway? The answer is the mountain range in Scandinavia.
The Scandinavian mountain is also called the Scandes. The mountain is made of icefield and avalanches. As altitude increases temperature of the Southern Norway decreased. And the north Scandinavian mountain creates the boundary between Norway and Sweden.
The Himalayas, Alps, Andes, and the Rockies are a few of the well-known mountain ranges. One of them is The Scandinavian Mountain, which runs through The Scandinavian Peninsula, one of the largest peninsulas in Northern Europe. The Scandinavian countries of Sweden and Norway make up this peninsula. The long, narrow, and rocky inlets known as Norwegian fjords are the range’s most striking feature. They have incredible beauty.
The Scandinavia region or the Scandes is the center and main part of the Scandinavian peninsula. These peninsular nations have a rich history, linguistic diversity, and cultural heritage. In terms of foreign policy, global competitiveness, technology, education, health, the environment, human rights, press freedom, democracy, and mass development, they are more developed than many other northern European nations.
Geographic Location Of The Mountain Range-
Sweden and Norway are located on the Scandinavian peninsula’s continental shelf. Sometimes the peninsula is thought to include Northwestern Finland. Denmark is also a part of the north European plain, if you look at it through physiography. Furthermore, Sweden and Norway have largely conquered the Scandinavian peninsula. Denmark was formerly a part of the Scania region of the Scandinavian peninsula.
One of the largest peninsulas in Europe is this one in Scandinavia. Nearly 1850 kilometers or 1150 miles are covered by it. And its width is between 370 and 805 kilometers. The northern arctic circle encompasses one-fourth of the peninsula region. Cape Nordkyn is the northernmost point.
In this section, we will know geographically how does the Scandinavian mountain range affect Norway and Sweden.
The climate of the mainland in this Scandinavian region varies from subarctic and tundra to the northern portion. And the tranquil west coast oceanic weather is a humid condition for the north-west coast area to the central part.
Southern Sweden has great farmland with iron and copper-rich field. Also, the bank of the north sea and the Atlantic sea are great sources of petroleum and natural gas.
The Origin Of Scandinavia Mountain-
Geologists are still unsure about where the geography of Scandinavia origins. The mountains are a flat, dormant portion of the continent that is comparable to the upland and plateau regions of Australia’s great separating range.
No widely accepted theory has been developed to account for elevated passive continental margins like these Scandinavian mountains. Various justifications of various kinds appear in various years, but none are very compelling.
A recent study in 2012 claims that Scandinavian mountains and other elevated passive continental margins possibly follow the same mechanism of uplift. And that is related to far-field stresses in the Lithosper section.
This view compares the Scandinavian mountains to a massive anticlinal lithospheric fold. Aclinic constriction acting on a thin to thick lithospheric transit zone may be the cause of folding since all are passive borders.
Highest Peaks Of This region-
The highest mountain in the Scandinavian peninsula is Galdhøpiggen. It is 2469 meters (8100ft) above sea level. Glittertind is the second highest mountain, which is 2465 meters in height above sea level. Also, a glacier is on its peak. If the glacier’s height will not count it will be 2452 meters in height. Moreover, Glittertind is also known as Glittertinden.
The Jotunheimen region’s Lom municipality contains the Galdhpiggen and Glittertind mountains. In the past, Glittertind was another candidate to be this Scandinavian Peninsula’s highest mountain. Glittertind’s glacier was a little bit taller than the other one. The glacier has, nevertheless, slightly shrunk over time. Last but not least, Galdhpiggen wins the case on all counts. In addition, Jostedalsbreen, the biggest glacier on European soil, is located in these mountains.
Kebnekaise is the highest peak on the Swedish side. It is 2469 meters high above sea level. The Halti is 1324 meters long and is the highest peak in Finland. It is 1324 meters above sea level.
The waterbodies that bordered the area-
As the largest mountain range in northern Europe, the Scandinavian peninsula region is covered by Norway, Sweden, and a little part of Finland. The 1850 km long mountain range is bordered by several water bodies.
- In the east, the Baltic Sea includes the area of the Bothnia gulf. Also having independent Åland islands in between Finland, Sweden, and Gotland.
- On the west and southwest side, there is the north sea. This includes Kattegat and Skagerrak
- In the west direction, there is the Norwegian sea.
- And lastly in the north direction Barents Sea.
The Attractions
The mountain range houses Norway’s highest peaks, the Jotunheimen Mountains are major hiking spots in the Scandinavian Mountains. The range also includes Norway’s 47 national parks including Jotunheimen National Park, which has more than 50 marked hiking trails.
In each park, you’ll find ample trails of various sizes and with different difficulty levels. According to the Norwegian Trekking Association, there is about 22000km of marked hiking trails in the region. The trekking leads through the country’s most famous peaks.
The Scandinavian Mountains of Norway, Sweden, and Finland are great places, not only for hiking but also for skiing and snowboarding. Both large and small ski resorts are located throughout the country of Norway, but the highest slopes are also in the south.
Mountain cabins (such as huts and lodges) are the most common type of accommodation for hiking and skiing in the Scandinavian Mountains. You can also camp throughout much of the range. There is a total of 550 cabins that are available which are of three types: Staffed, Self Service, and No Service.
Alternatively, you can always camp in a tent when you are hiking in the Scandinavian Mountains. You can pitch your tent wherever you’d like even on private properties. This is because all of these countries have some sort of right to roam, which effectively gives you the opportunity to hike and pitch camp wherever you want.
The Community of the Scandinavia Mountain Area-
Approximately 12,000 years ago first human presence was spotted in this peninsula region. As the ice scarfed exodus from glaciers, the tundra biome climate allured the reindeer hunters. As the climate is heated, it first allows perennial trees to grow quickly. And after then it favors the deciduous forest. Many animals like aurochs, an extinct cattle species came after the growth of the deciduous forests. For this reason in the Mesolithic era, hunters, fishers, and procurers began to live.
In this peninsula region, the first signs of human habitation date back to 12,000 years. The climate of the tundra habitat enticed the reindeer hunters as the ice-shrouded migration from glaciers. The warming of the temperature first promotes rapid growth in perennial trees. Following that, it favors deciduous forests. Numerous animals, including the extinct aurochs species of cow, arrived following the development of deciduous woods. Due to this, hunters, fishers, and procurers started to exist in the Mesolithic period.
As per the ninth-century record, other inhabitants are Norwegians on the west coast of Norway. The Danes on the south and west of Sweden and southeast Norway. In this region, most people use dialects of the Ino-European language, old Norse as their communicative language. Even though political borders are not like in the twenty century, these people are still maximum in number.
Political Development of the Scandinavia Region-
To find the history one had to look back 1000 years. International borders of this area come lately and growing steadily. Sweden and Norway secured their boundary in 1751. Finland and Norway settled their boundary in 1809. Even there are some common districts in Russia and Norway which were partitioned in 1826.
Moreover, Russia, Denmark, and Sweden are prevalent in the Scandinavia peninsular region. Iceland Norway and Finland gained full independence in the 20th century.
Quick Facts-
| Name | Scandinavian Mountain Range |
| Runs Through | Scandinavian Peninsula |
| Highest peak | Galdhøpiggen |
| Elevation Of Highest Peak | 2,469 m (8,100 ft) |
| Coordinates | 61°38′11″N 08°18′45″E |
| Length | 1,700 km (1,100 m) |
| Width | 320km (200miles) |
| Native Name | Skanderna, Fjällen, Kjølen, Köli, Skandit |
| Countries Associated | Norway, Sweden, Finland |
| Range Coordinates | 65°N 14°E |
| Primary Bedrock | Caledonian |
| Climate | Maritime along the coast of Norway and continental in the rain shadow of Scandinavian range |
Conclusion-
Glaciers and bodies of water cover the Scandinavian mountain range. This is also thought to be the biggest peninsular region in the European continent. It measures 1150 miles in length and 230–500 miles in breadth. It covers 289,500 square miles in total.
This article will help you to answer your quarry how does the Scandinavian mountain range affect Norway and Sweden.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)-
The Scandinavian mountain range is found in the Norway and Sweden.
Galdhøpiggen(2469m) highest peak of the Scandinavian mountain range.
Glittertind is the second highest mountain peak in this range.
There are almost 135 – 140 mountains found in this range.
As per geologists, the Scandinavian range is almost 66 million years old.
In Norway country, most of the mountains are found.
The crust of Norway is thicker than normal. That supports the overlying of the mountains.
You will find tundra subarctic and humid conditions in different parts of the mountain range.
Majorly Caledonian rocks are found in the Scandinavian mountain range.
In the Neolithic era, Scandinavians learn agriculture.