Interesting Facts About Finland
Interesting Facts About Finland - Geography
338,000 square kilometres
Europe's 7th biggest country
Country is divided into 12 provinces
Forests cover 2/3 of Finland
The Arctic circle covers 1/3
30 National Parks (Finland is considered one of Europe's last great wildernesses although at risk from clear filling, pulp factories and acid rain)
5.2 million population, half of which live in the south and south west of the country
15 people per square kilometre
Finland enjoys four very different seasons (an almost continuous 2 month day and almost continuous darkness in winter)
Shares borders with Russia, Norway, Sweden and the BalticSeas
Interesting Facts About Finland - Agriculture & Industry
Most businesses are privately owned but the government spending still makes up 63% of the GDP
Huge welfare system providing Finns with a broad level of equality
During the 90's unemployment has remained around the 16% level. (Why work when through government assistance you can still maintain a high living standard)
Finland's tax is said to be the highest in the world. e.g. 95% of the cost of a bottle of Vodka goes to the government
Metals and Engineering are the dominant industry
Cruise ships and mobile communications are two other big industries (Nokia).
The main mineral wealth of Finland is Zinc, copper, lead, silver and gold.
Main crops are cereals, potatoes and sugar beet
Its main trading partners are Germany, UK, Netherlands, France, USA and Russia
Interesting Facts About Finland - Tourism
Tourism is limited by the weather of Finland.
About 5 million people visit Finland every year
Europeans are able to ski Finland all year round but in the winter months it proves too cold and unpleasant for most European skiers
Its main tourist season runs from early June until late August
Interesting Facts About Finland - Government
Presidential Republic
President elected every 6 years by the people
Prime Minister is elected every 4 years by parliaments 200 members
Finland has been a member of the EU since 1995
Interesting Facts About Finland - Social
The Finnish flag is white with a blue cross
Image of a log cabin with a sauna by a forest lake captures the spirit of the Finnish culture.
Independent people, very gritty and resilient, determined.
100% literacy rate
One doctor for every 410 people
90% of Finns are Evangelical Lutherans
The language is a Uralic language, closely related to Estonian
English is widely spoken but not to the extent of many other Scandinavian countries
Currency is the Euro
Finland is cheaper than Sweden and Norway but still very expensive when compared to other parts of the world
The sauna is a big part of Finnish life, symbolic of physical and emotional cleansing
Fanatics will roll in the snow or dip in a near freezing lake during sauna time (Nude!)
Food- Seisova Poyta (Smorgasbord) inc. Soups and Fish
Drink- Beers and spirits very expensive, only cheap alcohol is low alcohol beer.
Sport - Soccer and athletics popular in summer, Ice Hockey and skiing popular in winter
Pesapallo also popular (Finnish baseball)
My name is Robee Kann, for four years I was a tour guide throughout Europe. I loved my job and I would love to hear from you. You are most welcome to message me to say hello or request a hub about a European subject. Please look at my other hubs and leave a comment for me.
