Wendland - Definition and Overview

Throughout history, there have been different usage of the term (ON.) Wendland, Vendland, Ventheland or (Lat.) Vandalia. The Latinized form is usually associated with the germanic tribe Vandals, althought Wendland or Vandalia is the land inhabited by the Wends (today considered to be a Slavic people). The most common interpretions:

1. According to the Finnish historian Klinge, an earlier name for Finland, especially Finland proper. The strongest evidence is old maps, who place Wendland in the far north or European Russia, and term Gulf of Finland as 'Mare Vendicus'.
2. Essentially after the 16th century, interpreted to be the region inhabited by West Slavic groups.
3. The region Lüchow-Dannenberg.