Women are allowed to serve in all combat arms. [111], The main factor influencing Finland's climate is the country's geographical position between the 60th and 70th northern parallels in the Eurasian continent's coastal zone. The Finnish punk scene produced some internationally acknowledged names including Terveet Kdet in the 1980s. )$11.427 billion (31 December 2019 est. Municipalities co-operate in seventy sub-regions and nineteen counties. Read these important health and safety rules and tips to ensure you have a great vacation in Finland. The unionization rate is high (70%), especially in the middle class (AKAVA, mostly for university-educated professionals: 80%). [315], There are several holidays in Finland, of which perhaps the most characteristic of Finnish culture include Christmas (joulu), Midsummer (juhannus), May Day (vappu) and Independence Day (itsenisyyspiv). The tree of my youth stands rejoicing around me: O human! [189], Lapland has the highest tourism consumption of any Finnish region. Please select which sections you would like to print: Also known as: Republic of Finland, Republiken Finland, Suomen Tasavalta, Suomi, Emeritus Professor of History, Gteborg University, Sweden. Finnish and Swedish are the official languages of Finland. Podzol profile development is seen in most forest soils except where drainage is poor. [30] At the end of the ninth century, indigenous artefact culture, especially weapons and women's jewelry, had more common local features than ever before. [44] The first university in Finland, the Royal Academy of Turku, was established by Queen Christina of Sweden at the proposal of Count Per Brahe in 1640.[45][46]. Much of the geography of Finland is a result of the Ice Age. [228][229][230][231] German, French, Spanish and Russian can be studied as second foreign languages from the fourth grade (at 10 years of age; some schools may offer other options). The forest consists of pine, spruce, birch, and other species. It took office on 10 December 2019. The endangered Saimaa ringed seal, one of only three lake seal species in the world, exists only in the Saimaa lake system of southeastern Finland, down to only 390 seals today. Population by ethnic background in 2021[1][2]. Some other notable Finnish Heavy metal bands and artists are Nightwish, Apocalyptica, Ensiferum, HIM, Amorphis, and Children of Bodom. )on alcohol and tobacco: 4.3% of household expenditures (2018 est. From the 1860s onwards, a strong Finnish nationalist movement known as the Fennoman movement grew. [140], More than 30% of tertiary graduates are in science-related fields. )investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est. Finland rapidly industrialized after World War II, achieving GDP per capita levels comparable to that of Japan or the UK at the beginning of the 1970s. For a few decades after 1944, the Communists were a strong political party. [331] In Formula One, Finland has won the most world championships per capita, with Keke Rosberg, Mika Hkkinen and Kimi Rikknen all having won the title. In 2005, Finland had the fourth most scientific publications per capita of the OECD countries. This is the third-lowest population density of any European country, behind those of Norway and Iceland, and the lowest population density of any European Union member country. Three of the more striking birds are the whooper swan, a large European swan and the national bird of Finland; the Western capercaillie, a large, black-plumaged member of the grouse family; and the Eurasian eagle-owl. Things to know before traveling to Finland - Lonely Planet About Finland :The Finland is consists of large forests, thousands of lakes, rivers, and extensive areas of marshland. In the subsequent half century, Finland transformed from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is among the highest in Western Europe. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Trade schools offer a vocational education: approximately 40% of an age group choose this path after the lower secondary school. [50] In 1812, Alexander I incorporated the Russian Vyborg province into the Grand Duchy of Finland. )solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est. [153] In 2006, 62% of the workforce worked for enterprises with less than 250 employees and they accounted for 49% of total business turnover. The most common type of rock is granite. Miscalculated macroeconomic decisions, a banking crisis, the collapse of its largest trading partner (the Soviet Union), and a global economic downturn caused a deep early 1990s recession in Finland. [198] Finland has one of the oldest populations in the world, with a median age of 42.6 years. [304] Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, operates five television channels and thirteen radio channels. Finland Travel Guide (Updated 2023) - Nomadic Matt's Travel Site in Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council. The so-called first crusade to Finland, possibly in 1155, is most likely an unreal event. )consumption: 79.356 billion kWh (2020 est. The average size is 2.1 persons; 40% of households consist of a single person, 32% two persons and 28% three or more persons. Finland has significant timber, mineral (iron, chromium, copper, nickel, and gold), and freshwater resources. Mobile library routes comprise dozens of stops. [254] Since 2012, Finland has every time ranked at least in the top 5 of world's happiest countries in the annual World Happiness Report by the United Nations,[255][256][257] as well as ranking as the happiest country in 2018.[258]. Second, most Finnish parents have college degrees or advanced degrees. Background. What are they trying to tell the viewers? [239], In 2016, 69.3% of Finnish children were baptized[240] and 82.3% were confirmed in 2012 at the age of 15,[241] and over 90% of the funerals are Christian. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. [50][49] It is estimated that almost an entire generation of young men was lost during the Great Wrath, due mainly to the destruction of homes and farms, and the burning of Helsinki. During World War II, Finland successfully defended its independence through cooperation with Germany and resisted subsequent invasions by the . By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media . Your Official Finland Travel Guide Finland's conservative National Coalition (NCP), winner of April's parliamentary election, has reached agreement to form a majority government with the eurosceptic, anti-immigration Finns Party . )forest: 72.9% (2018 est. [104] Taiga covers most of Finland from northern regions of southern provinces to the north of Lapland. About one-third of the territory of Finlandmost of the maakunta (region) of Lappilies north of the Arctic Circle. )proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est. The autonomous province of land has a permanent democratically elected regional council. As of 2022, Finland has the 16th highest nominal GDP per capita in the world according to the IMF. The most well-known Finnish amusement parks include Linnanmki in Helsinki and Srknniemi in Tampere. )investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est. [161] The Onkalo spent nuclear fuel repository is currently under construction at the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant in the municipality of Eurajoki, on the west coast of Finland, by the company Posiva. Finland had successfully defended its independence, but ceded 9% of its territory to the Soviet Union. [300] Here, Beneath the North Star from 1968, is also one of the most significant works in Finnish history. An alternative outdoor experience can be found all along the west coast of Finland. During World War II, Finland fought the Soviet Union in the Winter War and the Continuation War, and Nazi Germany in the Lapland War. North of the Arctic Circle the polar night lasts for more than 50 days; in southern Finland the shortest day lasts about six hours. [71] The FinnishRussian border was defined in 1920 by the Treaty of Tartu, largely following the historic border but granting Pechenga (Finnish: Petsamo) and its Barents Sea harbour to Finland. Professor Frank Horn of the Northern Institute for Environmental and the Minority Law University of Lappland writing for Virtual Finland on. It's the first new school in the county since 2018, the Pensacola News-Journal . )female: 16.3% (2020 est. In the late 20th century, the homoerotic art of Touko Laaksonen, pseudonym Tom of Finland, found a worldwide audience.[275][276]. Moreover, the President exercises supreme command over the Finnish Defence Forces as commander-in-chief. Economic development was rapid. Policing corruption, International Perspectives. [179] In 2019, the per-capita income of Finland was estimated to be $48,869. [177] Swedish is the native language of 5.2% of the population (Swedish-speaking Finns). The highest mountain whose peak is entirely in Finland is Ridnitohkka at 1,316m (4,318ft), directly adjacent to Halti. [110], A third of Finland's land area originally consisted of moorland, about half of this area has been drained for cultivation over the past centuries. [61], On 27 January 1918 the government's began to disarm the Russian forces in Pohjanmaa. Finland became a full member of the European Union in 1995. We are crazy serious about the fact that Santa Claus lives in Finland, not at the North Pole. [157], As of 2006[update], 2.4million households reside in Finland. )transmission/distribution losses: 2.574 billion kWh (2020 est. [227], English is studied by most pupils as a compulsory subject from the first grade (at seven years of age), formerly from the third or fifth grade, in the comprehensive school (in some schools other languages can be chosen instead). Primary school takes normally six years and lower secondary school three years. Finland covers an area of 338,455 square kilometres (130,678sqmi) with a population of 5.6 million. Osei Ntiamoah told me that just one of the 15 students in her class can currently read syllable by syllable. ), 41.996 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est. (Finnish)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. [70] Finland was also one of the first European countries to strongly aim for equality for women, with Miina Sillanp serving in Vin Tanner's cabinet as the first female minister in Finnish history in 19261927. [76] Finnish forces occupied East Karelia from 1941 to 1944. )note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions, $1.896 billion (2021 est. Pacius also wrote the music to the poem Maamme/Vrt land (Our Country), Finland's national anthem. Voluntary post-conscription overseas peacekeeping service is popular, and troops serve around the world in UN, NATO, and EU missions. ), total population: 81.96 yearsmale: 79.08 yearsfemale: 84.98 years (2023 est. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. And the World's Most Educated Country Is "Scientific publicationFinnish science and technology Information Service", "Patents with numbersFinnish science and technology Information Service", Finnish post honours Moomin creator Jansson, "Finland's Tove Jansson and the Moomin story", "Tom of Finland stamps on sale Monday; Finland's biggest seller ever", "Kaija Saariaho voted greatest living composer by BBC Music Magazine", "How the Finns stopped the Soviets with this polka song", "Finnish jenkka song took over Japan's department stores", "Guns N' Roses Can Agree on at Least One Thing: This Finnish Saxophonist Rocks", "Finnish metropolises vie to win Capital of Metal", "Finland stage world's first heavy metal knitting championship", "Suomalainen musiikki jyr, mutta mihin katosivat kotimaiset bndit? Away from coastal regions, many of Finlands rivers flow into the lakes, which are generally shallowonly three lakes are deeper than about 300 feet (90 metres). [47][48] Finland suffered a severe famine in 16951697, during which about one third of the Finnish population died,[49] and a devastating plague a few years later. )industry: 28.2% (2017 est. It's a bit like a silly show-and-tell which hopefully makes you laugh along the way. After brief experimentation with monarchy, when an attempt to make Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse King of Finland was unsuccessful, Finland became a presidential republic, with K. J. Sthlberg elected as its first president in 1919. )wine: 1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est. The winter of the north lasts for about 200 days with permanent snow cover from about mid-October to early May. Along with sisu (the Finnish combination of guts and perseverance), sauna is one of the words most closely connected with the essence of Finnishness. If they are born in Finland and cannot get citizenship of any other country, they become citizens. )beer: 3.76 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est. In 1917, the population was three million. Besides Lnnrot's Kalevala and Waltari, the Swedish-speaking Tove Jansson, best known as the creator of The Moomins, is the most translated Finnish writer;[273] her books have been translated into more than 40 languages. The land cover is primarily a boreal forest biome, with more than 180,000 recorded lakes.[12]. )crude oil and lease condensate imports: 232,400 bbl/day (2018 est. [245], Life expectancy was 79 years for men and 84 years for women in 2017. As a result of the two wars, Finland ceded Petsamo, along with parts of Finnish Karelia and Salla; this amounted to 12% of Finland's land area, 20% of its industrial capacity, its second-largest city, Vyborg (Viipuri), and the ice-free port of Liinakhamari (Liinahamari). [180], In 2017, tourism in Finland grossed approximately 15.0billion. Annual precipitation is usually sufficient, but it occurs almost exclusively during the winter months, making summer droughts a constant threat. In 1854, Finland became involved in Russia's involvement in the Crimean War, when the British and French navies bombed the Finnish coast and land during the so-called land War. [283], During the 1970s, progressive rock group Wigwam and rock and roll group Hurriganes gained respect abroad. Hanoi Rocks was a pioneering glam rock act. [260] Formal education is usually started at the age of 7. [4] A new constitution enacted in 2000, have made the presidency a primarily ceremonial office that appoints the Prime Minister as elected by Parliament, appoints and dismisses the other ministers of the Finnish Government on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, opens parliamentary sessions, and confers state honors. Having Lunch at a Restaurant. Locally known for an active cultural life and the ambiance of the city, it is admired by many tourists and locals alike, which makes it a favorite city to travel and live for some.. Just like the capital of Finland, Tampere also has plenty . Annual precipitation, about one-third of which falls as sleet or snow, is about 25 inches (600 mm) in the south and a little less in the north. The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR), led by Vladimir Lenin, recognized independence on 4 January 1918. Reading Comprehension for Beginners - FinnishPod101 "Finland". The largest immigrant languages are Russian (1.6%), Estonian (0.9%), Arabic (0.7%), English (0.5%) and Somali (0.4%). Among the Finnish highways, the most significant and busiest main roads include the Turku Highway (E18), the Tampere Highway (E12), the Lahti Highway (E75), and the ring roads (Ring I and Ring III) of the Helsinki metropolitan area and the Tampere Ring Road of the Tampere urban area.[170]. The first pottery appeared in 5200BC, when the Comb Ceramic culture was introduced. ), production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est. Finland has had for most of its independence a semi-presidential system of government, but in the last few decades the powers of the President have been diminished, and the country is now considered a parliamentary republic. [82] The new jobs in manufacturing, services, and trade quickly attracted people to the towns. [25] The arrival of the Corded Ware culture in Southern coastal Finland between 3000 and 2500 BC may have coincided with the start of agriculture. The largest sector of the economy is the service sector at 66% of GDP, followed by manufacturing and refining at 31%. 5,571,000 Currency Exchange Rate: 1 USD equals 0.918 euro Head Of State: President: Sauli Niinist See all facts & stats Recent News )consumption: 2.393 billion cubic meters (2020 est. Together, these major consumers buy over half of all books sold. In addition, the public health services are usually organized based on counties. In the extreme north of Finland, near the tree line and Arctic Ocean, Montane Birch forests are common. Vuosaari Harbour in Helsinki is the largest container port in Finland; others include Kotka, Hamina, Hanko, Pori, Rauma, and Oulu. The route of a Finnish mobile library may include dozens of stops. A member of the EU since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro single currency at its initiation in January 1999. However, the relationship between the Grand Duchy and the Russian Empire soured when the Russian government made moves to restrict Finnish autonomy. [270] Finland is highly productive in scientific research. with Travis and Inka** This is the podcast which investigates, celebrates and sometimes berates the cultural differences between Finland and the UK. Race can't factor into college admissions, Supreme Court says Allergies and dementia are also growing health problems in Finland. The Swedish across the border is distinct from the Swedish spoken in Finland. Prince William believes you can have zero homelessness and he's using Finland as a case study. The cabinet can be dismissed by a parliamentary vote of no confidence, although this rarely happens (the last time in 1957), as the parties represented in the cabinet usually make up a majority in the parliament. Finland has a relatively high fertility rate for Europe at about 1.75 children per woman in 2023. Finnish women have high labor force participation rates, and their educational attainment is higher than that of Finnish men. Finland was the first nation in the world to give all (adult) citizens full suffrage, in other words the right to vote and to run for office, in 1906. [248] With a low birth rate women also become mothers at a later age, the mean age at first live birth being 28.6 in 2014. Outdoor activities range from Nordic skiing, golf, fishing, yachting, lake cruises, hiking, and kayaking, among many others. 50 Cultural Facts on Finland that Help You Understand Finns )7.76% (2020 est. [235] The decline has been due to both church membership resignations and falling baptism rates. Various parliament committees listen to experts and prepare legislation. [166] As of February2022[update], Finland's strategic petroleum reserves held 200 days worth of net oil imports in the case of emergencies. Finnish and Swedish are the official languages, Swedish being the native language of 5.2% of the population. I read Finnish books to my kids to learn to speak Finnish more. Former presidents were K. J. Sthlberg (19191925), L. K. Relander (19251931), P. E. Svinhufvud (19311937), Kysti Kallio (19371940), Risto Ryti (19401944), C. G. E. Mannerheim (19441946), J. K. Paasikivi (19461956), Urho Kekkonen (19561982), Mauno Koivisto (19821994), Martti Ahtisaari (19942000), and Tarja Halonen (20002012). Finnish skaters have won 8 world championships and 13 junior world cups in synchronized skating. [65] After the war, tens of thousands of Reds were interned in camps, where thousands were executed or died from malnutrition and disease. In the Bronze Age permanent all-year-round cultivation and animal husbandry spread, but the cold climate phase slowed the change. [148] With respect to foreign trade, the key economic sector is manufacturing. The distance from the southernmost point Hanko in Uusimaa to the northernmost Nuorgam in Lapland is 1,160 kilometres (720mi). )nuclear: 33.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est. All things being equal, a Finnish child can learn to read Finnish much faster than an American child can learn to read English. Author of, Professor of Legal History, University of Oslo, 197595. [309][310], Finnish cuisine generally combines traditional country fare and contemporary style cooking. Chicago: Encyclopdia Britannica, 2011. Finnish defence expenditure per capita is one of the highest in the European Union. Since then, Finland has sent representatives to the Nordic Council, which makes suggestions to member countries on the coordination of policies. Venus, the romantic ruler of love, cash, and beauty, begins its feared retrograde starting on Saturday, July 22, and lasting through Sunday, September 3 . [16] During the Cold War, Finland adopted an official policy of neutrality. . )-$879.445 million (2019 est. After lower secondary school, graduates may apply to trade schools or gymnasiums (upper secondary schools). )other alcohols: 0.91 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est. Why learn Finnish? The real question is, "Why not?" There is passenger traffic from Helsinki and Turku, which have ferry connections to Tallinn, Mariehamn, Stockholm and Travemnde. However, the majority of Lutherans attend church only for special occasions like Christmas ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. As a liberal nationalist with a legal background, Sthlberg anchored the state in liberal democracy, supported the rule of law, and embarked on internal reforms. In the southwest the Kokemen, one of Finlands largest rivers, flows out past the city of Pori (Bjrneborg). )crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est. The role that the regional councils serve on. Other public holidays in Finland are New Year's Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, Ascension Day, All Saints' Day and Saint Stephen's Day. On the most severe winter days in Lapland can see the temperature fall to 45C (49F). The Faith and Freedom Coalition, which bills its Washington, D.C. conference as "the largest public policy gathering of conservative and Christian activists in the nation," will hear Friday from . )government consumption: 22.9% (2017 est. As no one party ever dominates the parliament, Finnish cabinets are multi-party coalitions. In terms of medals and gold medals won per capita, Finland is the best-performing country in Olympic history. Phytogeographically, Finland is shared between the Arctic, central European, and northern European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. [38], As a result of the crusades (mostly with the second crusade led by Birger Jarl) and the colonization of some Finnish coastal areas with Christian Swedish population during the Middle Ages,[39] Finland gradually became part of the kingdom of Sweden and the sphere of influence of the Catholic Church. Conversely, Finnish is closely related to Estonian and Karelian, and more distantly to Hungarian and the Sami languages. In 1906, universal suffrage was adopted in the Grand Duchy of Finland. )$13.48 billion (31 December 2020 est. ", "Finnish Sports: Try the sports Finns love! Pespallo, the Finnish equivalent of American baseball, is the national sport of Finland,[321][322] although the most popular sport in terms of spectators is ice hockey. 5 Reasons To Visit Finland, The World's Happiest Country - Forbes )note: data are in 2017 dollars, 2.97% (2021 est. It is headed by the Prime Minister of Finland, and consists of him or her, other ministers, and the Chancellor of Justice. If we can generalize from U.S. research, such children will have better health, nutrition, ability to concentrate, IQs, and vocabulary. Even in a relatively densely populated region such as southern Finland, a mobile library may clock up 50,000 kilometres annually in the north, the distances are greater. Due to its out-of-the-way location and the fact that . The gross domestic product peaked in 2008. They account for half of the public spending. Each episode they delve into a different topic, they investigate, celebrate and sometimes berate the place each other grew up. Other cities with population over 100,000 are Turku, Oulu, Jyvskyl, Kuopio, and Lahti. The Pew Research Center estimated the Muslim population at 2.7% in 2016. These are ridges of stratified gravel and sand, running northwest to southeast, where the ancient edge of the glacier once lay. Finland is near enough to the Atlantic Ocean to be continuously warmed by the Gulf Stream. [163][164] Industry and construction consumed 43.5% of total consumption, a relatively high figure reflecting Finland's industries. In the exercise of his or her foreign and defense powers, the President is required to consult the Finnish Government, but the Government's advice is not binding. The author of a sauna cookbook yes, of course theres a sauna cookbook shares her tips. For example, universal suffrage was, in practice, virtually meaningless, since the tsar did not have to approve any of the laws adopted by the Finnish parliament. World News - AllYouCanRead Finland's immigrant population is growing. )crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est. The key for preparing for hiking in Finland is to dress according to the season and check the weather forecast. [135][136][137] Finland sent personnel to the Kosovo Force and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Of these, Christmas and Midsummer are special in Finland because the actual festivities take place on eves, such as Christmas Eve[316][317] and Midsummer's Eve,[318][319] while Christmas Day and Midsummer's Day are more consecrated to rest. As of 2015[update], the country's economy is at the 2006 level. Six Regional State Administrative Agencies are responsible for one of the counties called alue in Finnish; in addition, land was designated a seventh county. [40] Under Sweden, Finland was annexed as part of the cultural order of Western Europe.
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