Difference between revisions of "Finland"
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==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
| − | The area of Finland is approximately 338 000 square kilometers, with a north-south axis of 890 kilometers. 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. Opposed to popular belief, there | + | The area of Finland is approximately 338 000 square kilometers, with a north-south axis of 890 kilometers. 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. Opposed to popular belief, there aren't any glaciers in Finland. Cultivated land and habitation only account for 17% of the land area, rest being mainly [[Norway spruce]] forests. |
Finland is bound by [[Sweden]] in the Northwest, [[Norway]] in the North, [[Russia]] in the East, the [[Gulf of Finland]] in the South and the [[Gulf of Bothnia]] in the West. | Finland is bound by [[Sweden]] in the Northwest, [[Norway]] in the North, [[Russia]] in the East, the [[Gulf of Finland]] in the South and the [[Gulf of Bothnia]] in the West. | ||
Revision as of 20:09, November 26, 2008
| Suomi Finland | |
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| Flag | Coat of Arms |
| Capital | Helsinki |
| Government | Parliamentary Democracy |
| Language | Finnish, Swedish (official) |
| President | Tarja Halonen |
| Prime minister | Matti Vanhanen |
| Area | 130,558 sq mi |
| Population | 5,296,128 (2007) |
| GDP per capita | $40,197 (2005) |
| Currency | euro |
Republic of Finland (Suomi or Suomen tasavalta in Finnish, Republiken Finland in Swedish) is a country of northern Europe known for its largely social democratic economic system. The Finnish conservative party, the National Coalition led by Jyrki Katainen, is its principal conservative organization.
The state capital is Helsinki and the principal exports are machines, electronics (for example cellphones) 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 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
The area of Finland is approximately 338 000 square kilometers, with a north-south axis of 890 kilometers. 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. Opposed to popular belief, there aren't any glaciers in Finland. Cultivated land and habitation only account for 17% of the land area, rest being mainly Norway spruce forests.
Finland is bound by Sweden in the Northwest, Norway in the North, Russia in the East, the Gulf of Finland in the South and the Gulf of Bothnia in the West.
People
- Population (September 2007): 5.29 million.
- Population growth rate (2006): 0.4%.
- Ethnic groups: Finns, Swedes, Lapps, Sami, Roma, Tatars.
- Religions: Lutheran 82.5%, Orthodox 1.1%.
- Languages: Finnish 91.5%, Swedish 5.5% (both official); small Lapp- (0.03%) and Russian-speaking (0.8%) minorities.
- Education: Years compulsory--9. Attendance--almost 100%. Literacy--almost 100%.
- Health: Infant mortality rate--2.8/1,000 (2006). Life expectancy--males 75.8 yrs., females 82.8 yrs.
- Work force (2.65 million; of which 2.44 million are employed): Public services--32.8%; industry--19%; commerce--15.6%; finance, insurance, and business services--13.8%; agriculture and forestry--4.7%; transport and communications--7.4%; construction--6.7%.
Culture
Finnish people (Finns) are known for their love of nature. Nature is prominent in the works of Finnish artists, such as Jean Sibelius, Aki Kaurismäki, Alvar Aalto.
The great masters of Finnish literature include Mika Waltari, Väinö Linna, Johan Ludvig Runeberg. Finland is a bi-lingual country and has produced its literary heritage in both Finnish and Swedish. The beloved Moomintrolls were created by the writer and graphic artist Tove Jansson.
Another important facet of traditional Finnish culture is the love of the Finnish sauna.