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What is the origin of the word Scandinavia?

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The names Scania and Scandinavia are considered to have the same etymology[18][19][20][21] and the southernmost tip of what is today Sweden was called Skåne by the Romans and thought to be an island. The name is possibly derived from the Germanic root *Skaðin-awjã, which appears in Old Norse as Skáney. read more

The term Scandinavia is usually used as a cultural term, but in English usage, it is occasionally confused with the purely geographical term Scandinavian Peninsula, which took its name from the cultural-linguistic concept. The name Scandinavia originally referred vaguely to the former Danish, now Swedish, region Scania. read more

Word Origin and History for scandinavia Scandinavia 1765, from Late Latin Scandinavia, Skandinovia, a mistake for Scadinavia, from a Germanic source (cf. Old English Scedenig, Old Norse Skaney "south end of Sweden"), from Proto-Germanic *skadinaujo "Scadia island," first element of uncertain origin, second element from *aujo "thing on the water," from PIE *akwa-"water" (see aqua-). read more

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Scandinavian definition and meaning
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