The borders between these national states, had varied greatly even in the last couple of hundred years; the border areas a times being common ground, at times belonging to one state, at times belonging to the other.
The four national states of 2006 of course had their differences in culture, ethnicity, religion and language. In addition to this, an ethnic group called the Sami people - which also had their own language - inhabited the border areas between the national states. The Sami people was by scientists thought to be the ancestors of the first inhabitants of this area, who moved in after the last ice-age around 10.000 years ago.
Also, the Schengen border cut right through the region. This very controlled and restricted border of the modern day European Union, was not only a significant psychological and economic border of today, it was also a historical border reaching as far back as the 11th century.
In the year 1054, the Christian church was split in a western and an eastern part, and through the years these to parts developed to two quite different cultures - or civilizations. And in 2006, this line - this Schengen line - still marked the border between west and east, between Europe and the rest of the world.
1. Background
Barents Sea
Norway
Sweden
Russia
Finland
Schengen border
W. Barents (1550 - 1597)
The process leading up to the establishment of the United States of Barents, began on November 15th 2006.
At that time, this region was made up of four national states; Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Since 1993, there had been a formalized intergovernmental cooperation between these states, consisting of the northernmost parts of the four countries – the so-called Barents Region.
The Barents Region was named after the Barents Sea – which was named after Willem Barents, a Dutch explorer who visited this area in 1594.
Sami people (8.000 b.c -)
Traditions
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