Scandinavia
The Four Countries in Scandinavia
If we focus on the Scandinavia area on the map, it is noticeable that Scandinavia is described as the area west-north of Europe which consists of four countries. Since it could be interesting to know about the 'facts' of these countries spread to China in the 17th century, some of the annotations are translated as below:
“歐邏巴西北有四大國：曰大泥亞，曰諾而勿惹亞，曰雪際亞，曰鄂底亞。”
There are four countries west-north of Europe: Dania, Norvegia, Svecia, Gothia.
- Norvegia （諾而勿惹亞）
“諾而勿惹亞，寡五穀，山林多材木、鳥獸，海多魚鱉。 性馴厚，喜接遠方賓旅，絕無盜賊。”
In Norvegia, there is little crop but many wood and animals. Local people are kind, and always plan a warm reception for the guests. No thief can be found there.
- Svecia（雪際亞）
“雪際亞地分七道，屬國十二，歐邏巴北稱第一富庶，多五穀、五金、財貨，百物貿易，不以金銀，以物相抵。 人好勇，亦善遇遠方人。”
Svecia is known as the richest country in the region north of Europe. There are many crops, metal, and goods in Svecia. The locals trade by offering goods rather than using currency. Local people are brave, and always kind to the guests.
The names of Dania and Gothia can not be found on the map, but we could speculate the scope of these two countries according to annotations on the map, reference, and information today:
- Dania（大泥亞）
“大泥亞國沿海產菽麥，牛羊最多，牛輸往他國，歲常五萬。 海中魚蔽水面，舟為魚擁，輒不能行。 不藉網罟，隨手取不盡。”
The coastal area of Dania produces wheat, cattle, sheep, and fish. The cattle are exported to other countries every year. There are so many fish that they block the movement of the ships and can be caught by hand.
- Gothia （鄂底亞）
“鄂底亞在雪際亞之南，亦繁庶。”
Gothia, south of Svecia, is also very wealthy.
Interesting Fact: Similar Pronunciation
When we read the names of the countries and places on the map nowadays, we realize that the pronunciation of these names in ancient Chinese is quite similar to the pronunciation of their original names of that era, just as displayed on the Carta Marina. As in the following examples:
Gotlandia - 我得藍的亞 (Chinese alphabet: Wo de lan de ya)
Norvegia - 諾而勿惹亞 (Chinese alphabet: Nuo er wu re ya)
Dania - 大泥亞 (Chinese alphabet: Da ni ya)
Svecia - 雪際亞 (Chinese alphabet: Xue ji ya)
Gothia - 鄂底亞 (Chinese alphabet: E di ya)