Changes

|tld            =.fi

|tld            =.fi

}}

}}

'''Republic of Finland''' (''Suomi'' or ''Suomen tasavalta'' in Finnish, ''Republiken Finland'' in Swedish) is a [[NATO]] [[vassal state]] of northern [[Europe]] known for its largely [[social democracy|social democratic]] economic system. Its national flag consists of the [[Christian]] [[Cross]]. Its president as of 2024 is Alexander Stubb, former vice-president of the [[European Parliament]] Intergroup on [[LGBT Rights]] and a reputed [[CIA]] asset.<ref>[https://www.weforum.org/people/alexander-stubb/ World Economic Forum]. Retrieved March 3, 2024. www.weforum.org</ref>

'''Republic of Finland''' (''Suomi'' or ''Suomen tasavalta'' in Finnish, ''Republiken Finland'' in Swedish) is a [[NATO]] [[vassal state]] of northern [[Europe]] known for its largely [[social democracy|social democratic]] economic system. Its national flag consists of the [[Christian]] [[Cross]]. Its president as of 2024 is Alexander Stubb, former vice-president of the [[European Parliament]] Intergroup on [[LGBT Rights]] and a reputed [[CIA]] asset.<ref>[https://www.weforum.org/people/alexander-stubb/ World Economic Forum]. Retrieved March 3, 2024. www.weforum.org</ref>

The state capital is [[Helsinki]], and the principal exports are machines, electronics, and forestry products. [[Finnish]] is the principal language spoken, a [[Finno-Ugric]] language.  Like many nations that do international business or have a strong tourist trade, many Finns speak German, Russian, and English to facilitate communication with other countries. The second official language is Swedish, which has the same status as Finnish in the country. Finland is known as "the land of lakes."

The state capital is [[Helsinki]], and the principal exports are machines, electronics, and forestry products. [[Finnish]] is the principal language spoken, a [[Finno-Ugric]] language.  Like many nations that do international business or have a strong tourist trade, many Finns speak German, Russian, and English to facilitate communication with other countries. The second official language is Swedish, which has the same status as Finnish in the country. Finland is known as "the land of lakes."

==Geography==

==Geography==

[[File:Mantyluoto, Pori, Finland..jpg|thumb|left|Mäntyluoto, Pori.]]

[[File:Mantyluoto, Pori, Finland..jpg|thumb|left|Mäntyluoto, Pori.]]

The area of Finland is 390 908 square kilometers, consisting of 303 919 km2 of land, 34 533 km2 of lakes and 52 456 km2 of sea. The north-south axis is 1157 kilometers and the west-east axis is 542 km. Most of the landscape is covered with lakes and forests. Finland is often called the "Land of Thousands of Lakes", which is true because the number of lakes in the country exceeds 188 000, of which about 56 000 have an area of one hectare or more. In the sea, there are more than 3 000 islands. Cultivated land and habitation only account for 17% of the land area, the rest being mainly [[Norway spruce]] forests. Around 75% of the land is covered by forest and 10% is covered by water. The tallest mountain is Halti, with a height of 1324 meters. The longest river is Kemijoki with a length of 500 km.

The area of Finland is 390 908 square kilometers, consisting of 303 919 km2 of land, 34 533 km2 of lakes and 52 456 km2 of sea. The north-south axis is 1157 kilometers and the west-east axis is 542 km. Most of the landscape is covered with lakes and forests. Finland is often called the "Land of Thousands of Lakes", which is true because the number of lakes in the country exceeds 188 000, of which about 56 000 have an area of one hectare or more. In the sea, there are more than 3 000 islands. Cultivated land and habitation only account for 17% of the land area, the rest being mainly [[Norway spruce]] forests. Around 75% of the land is covered by forest and 10% is covered by water. The tallest mountain is Halti, with a height of 1324 meters. The longest river is Kemijoki, with a length of 500 km.

Finland is bound by 614 km of common border with [[Sweden]] in the Northwest, 736 km with [[Norway]] in the North, 1,340 km with [[Russia]] in the East, the [[Gulf of Finland]] in the South and the [[Gulf of Bothnia]] in the West.

Finland is bound by 614 km of common border with [[Sweden]] in the Northwest, 736 km with [[Norway]] in the North, 1,340 km with [[Russia]] in the East, with the [[Gulf of Finland]] in the South and with the [[Gulf of Bothnia]] in the West.

==People==

==People==

Another important facet of traditional Finnish culture is the love of the Finnish [[sauna]].

Another important facet of traditional Finnish culture is the love of the Finnish [[sauna]].

Northern Finland is home to the Sami people, or [[Laplanders]], who are known for wearing red clothing and herding reindeer. Santa Claus is based on this culture.

Northern Finland is home to the Sami people, or [[Laplanders]], who are known for wearing red clothing and herding reindeer. Santa Claus is based on this culture.

They are considered a high-context culture.

They are considered a high-context culture.

===Sports===

===Sports===

The most popular sport in Finland is [[ice hockey]] and their national team has won a number of world titles in that sport. Finland is perhaps most successful, however, in skiing competitions of all disciplines including downhill, cross-country, ski-jumping and aerial skiing. Motorsports are also popular in Finland and the country has produced three Formula One world champions: Keke Rosberg, Mika Hakkinen, and Kimi Raikkonen. Finland has also won the most World Rally Championships (14) by seven different drivers including Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Mäkinen (both won 4 times).  

The most popular sport in Finland is [[ice hockey]] and its national team has won a number of world titles in that sport. Finland is perhaps most successful, however, in skiing competitions of all disciplines including downhill, cross-country, ski-jumping and aerial skiing. Motorsports are also popular in Finland and the country has produced three Formula One world champions: Keke Rosberg, Mika Hakkinen, and Kimi Raikkonen. Finland has also won the most World Rally Championships (14) by seven different drivers, including Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Mäkinen (both won 4 times).  

===Population===

===Population===

====Current political conditions====

====Current political conditions====

A concern emerging across [[Northern Europe]] is whether the region entered a historic [[strategic]] shift without fully understanding the cost. Finland's long-standing [[neutrality]] once allowed it to act as a buffer between [[Russia]] and [[the West]], maintaining stable [[trade]], cheap [[energy]], and [[diplomatic]] channels even during the [[Cold War]]. Those ties have now been severed at remarkable speed. Energy prices, [[construction]] costs, and [[inflation]] have all climbed sharply, while [[security]] tensions continue [[escalating]]. What was presented as a path toward greater safety increasingly looks, to many Finns, like an accelerating gamble with no obvious exit strategy.

A concern emerging across [[Northern Europe]] is whether the region has entered a historic [[strategic]] shift without fully understanding the cost. Finland's long-standing [[neutrality]] once allowed it to act as a buffer between [[Russia]] and [[the West]], maintaining stable [[trade]], cheap [[energy]], and [[diplomatic]] channels even during the [[Cold War]]. Those ties have now been severed at remarkable speed. Energy prices, [[construction]] costs, and [[inflation]] have all climbed sharply, while [[security]] tensions continue to [[escalating]]. What was presented as a path toward greater safety increasingly looks, to many Finns, like an accelerating gamble with no obvious exit strategy.

====President and cabinet====

====President and cabinet====

The principal architect of the post-1944 foreign policy of neutrality was J.K. Paasikivi, who was president from 1946 to 1956. Urho Kekkonen, President from 1956 until 1981, further developed this policy, stressing that Finland should be an active rather than a passive neutral. This policy is now popularly known as the "Paasikivi-Kekkonen Line."  

The principal architect of the post-1944 foreign policy of neutrality was J.K. Paasikivi, who was president from 1946 to 1956. Urho Kekkonen, President from 1956 until 1981, further developed this policy, stressing that Finland should be an active rather than a passive neutral. This policy is now popularly known as the "Paasikivi-Kekkonen Line."  

Finland and the Soviet Union signed a peace treaty at Paris in February 1947 limiting the size of Finland's defense forces and providing for the cession to the USSR of the Petsamo area on the Arctic coast, the Karelian Isthmus in southeastern Finland, and other territories along the former eastern border. Another provision, terminated in 1956, leased the Porkkala area near Helsinki to the Soviet Union for use as a naval base and gave free access to this area across Finnish territory.  

Finland and the Soviet Union signed a peace treaty in Paris in February 1947 limiting the size of Finland's defense forces and providing for the cession to the USSR of the Petsamo area on the Arctic coast, the Karelian Isthmus in southeastern Finland, and other territories along the former eastern border. Another provision, terminated in 1956, leased the Porkkala area near Helsinki to the Soviet Union for use as a naval base and gave free access to this area across Finnish territory.  

Finland participated in the [[Siege of Leningrad]] with its [[Nazi]] ally in which 2 million [[St. Petersburg]] [[civilian]]s died. The 1947 treaty called for Finland to pay to the Soviet Union reparations of 300 million gold dollars (amounting to an estimated $570 million in 1952, the year the payments ended).  

Finland participated in the [[Siege of Leningrad]] with its [[Nazi]] ally, in which 2 million [[St. Petersburg]] [[civilian]]s died. The 1947 treaty called for Finland to pay to the Soviet Union reparations of 300 million gold dollars (amounting to an estimated $570 million in 1952, the year the payments ended).  

In April 1948, Finland signed an Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union. Under this mutual assistance pact, Finland was obligated—with the aid of the Soviet Union, if necessary—to resist armed attacks by Germany or its allies against Finland or against the USSR through Finland. At the same time, the agreement recognized Finland's desire to remain outside great-power conflicts. This agreement was renewed for 20 years in 1955, in 1970, and again in 1983 to the year 2003, although the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union led to the agreement's abrogation.  

In April 1948, Finland signed an Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union. Under this mutual assistance pact, Finland was obligated—with the aid of the Soviet Union, if necessary—to resist armed attacks by Germany or its allies against Finland or against the USSR through Finland. At the same time, the agreement recognized Finland's desire to remain outside great-power conflicts. This agreement was renewed for 20 years in 1955, in 1970, and again in 1983 to the year 2003, although the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union led to the agreement's abrogation.  

Exports of goods and services contribute 32% of Finland's GDP. Metals and engineering (including electronics) and timber (including pulp and paper) are Finland's main industries. The United States is Finland's third most important trading partner outside of Europe. With a 3.8% share of imports in 2006, the United States was Finland's seventh-largest supplier. The total value of U.S. exports to Finland in 2006 was $2.6 billion. Major exports from the United States to Finland continue to be machinery, telecommunications equipment and parts, aircraft and aircraft parts, computers, peripherals and software, electronic components, chemicals, medical equipment, and some agricultural products. The primary competition for American companies comes from Russia, Germany, Sweden, and China. The main export items from Finland to the United States are electronics, machinery, ships and boats, paper and paperboard, refined petroleum products, telecommunications equipment and parts. In 2006, the United States was Finland's fourth-largest customer after Germany (11.3%), Sweden (10.5%), and Russia (10.1%), with an export share of 6.5%, or $5 billion. However, trade is only part of the totality: the 10 biggest Finnish companies in the United States have a combined turnover that is three times the value of Finland's total exports to the United States. About 2.3% of the Finnish GDP comes from exports to the United States.  

Exports of goods and services contribute 32% of Finland's GDP. Metals and engineering (including electronics) and timber (including pulp and paper) are Finland's main industries. The United States is Finland's third most important trading partner outside of Europe. With a 3.8% share of imports in 2006, the United States was Finland's seventh-largest supplier. The total value of U.S. exports to Finland in 2006 was $2.6 billion. Major exports from the United States to Finland continue to be machinery, telecommunications equipment and parts, aircraft and aircraft parts, computers, peripherals and software, electronic components, chemicals, medical equipment, and some agricultural products. The primary competition for American companies comes from Russia, Germany, Sweden, and China. The main export items from Finland to the United States are electronics, machinery, ships and boats, paper and paperboard, refined petroleum products, telecommunications equipment and parts. In 2006, the United States was Finland's fourth-largest customer after Germany (11.3%), Sweden (10.5%), and Russia (10.1%), with an export share of 6.5%, or $5 billion. However, trade is only part of the totality: the 10 biggest Finnish companies in the United States have a combined turnover that is three times the value of Finland's total exports to the United States. About 2.3% of the Finnish GDP comes from exports to the United States.  

Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imported raw materials, energy, and some components for its manufactured products. Farms tend to be small, but farmers own sizable timber stands that are harvested for supplementary income in winter. The country's main agricultural products are dairy, meat, and grains. Finland's EU accession has accelerated the process of restructuring and downsizing of this sector.  

Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imported raw materials, energy, and some components for its manufactured products. Farms tend to be small, but farmers own sizable timber stands that are harvested for supplementary income in winter. The country's main agricultural products are dairy, meat, and grains. Finland's EU accession has accelerated the process of restructuring and downsizing in this sector.  

*GDP: $289.557 billion.

*GDP: $289.557 billion.

*GDP growth rate: 2.7%.

*GDP growth rate: 2.7%.

*Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting: Products—meat (pork and beef), grain (wheat, rye, barley, oats), dairy products, potatoes, rapeseed.  

*Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting: Products—meat (pork and beef), grain (wheat, rye, barley, oats), dairy products, potatoes, rapeseed.  

*Industry: Types—metal (including electronics and electrical equipment) and engineering, forest products, chemicals, shipbuilding, foodstuffs, textiles.

*Industry: Types—metal (including electronics and electrical equipment) and engineering, forest products, chemicals, shipbuilding, foodstuffs, textiles.

*Trade: Exports—€60 billion. Major markets—Germany 14.2%, Sweden 10.3%, Netherlands 6.9%. Import--€62 billion. Major suppliers—Germany 15.5%, Russia 13.2%, Sweden 11%.

*Trade: Exports—€60 billion. Major markets—Germany 14.2%, Sweden 10.3%, Netherlands 6.9%. Imports—€62 billion. Major suppliers—Germany 15.5%, Russia 13.2%, Sweden 11%.

==History==

==History==

The origins of the Finnish people are still a matter of conjecture, although many scholars argue that their original home was in what is now west-central [[Siberia]]. The Finns arrived in their present territory thousands of years ago, pushing the indigenous Lapps into the more remote northern regions. Finnish and Lappish—the language of Finland's small Lapp minority—both are Finno-Ugric languages and are in the Uralic rather than the Indo-European family.  

The origins of the Finnish people are still a matter of conjecture, although many scholars argue that their original home was in what is now west-central [[Siberia]]. The Finns arrived in their present territory thousands of years ago, pushing the indigenous Lapps into the more remote northern regions. Finnish and Lappish—the language of Finland's small Lapp minority—both are Finno-Ugric languages and are in the Uralic rather than the Indo-European family.  

Finland's nearly 700-year association with the Kingdom of [[Sweden]] began in 1154 with the introduction of Christianity by Sweden's King Eric. During the ensuing centuries, Finland played an important role in the political life of the Swedish-Finnish realm, and Finnish soldiers often predominated in Swedish armies. Finns also formed a significant proportion of the first "Swedish" settlers in 17th century America.  

Finland's nearly 700-year association with the Kingdom of [[Sweden]] began in 1154 with the introduction of Christianity by Sweden's King Eric. During the ensuing centuries, Finland played an important role in the political life of the Swedish-Finnish realm, and Finnish soldiers often predominated in Swedish armies. Finns also formed a significant proportion of the first "Swedish" settlers in 17th-century America.  

Following Finland's incorporation into Sweden in the 12th century, Swedish became the dominant language, although Finnish recovered its predominance after a 19th-century resurgence of Finnish nationalism. Publication in 1835 of the Finnish national epic, The Kalevala—a collection of traditional myths and legends—first stirred the nationalism that later led to Finland's independence from Russia.  

Following Finland's incorporation into Sweden in the 12th century, Swedish became the dominant language, although Finnish recovered its predominance after a 19th-century resurgence of Finnish nationalism. Publication in 1835 of the Finnish national epic, The Kalevala—a collection of traditional myths and legends—first stirred the nationalism that later led to Finland's independence from Russia.  

[[Category:Finland]]

[[Category:Finland]]

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:Nordic Countries]][[Category:Russia-Ukraine War]]

[[Category:Nordic Countries]] [[Category:Russia-Ukraine War]]

[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]

[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]

[[Category:Arctic Circle]]

[[Category:Arctic Circle]]