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|capital =Helsinki

|capital =Helsinki

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|government =Parliamentary Democracy

|government =Parliamentary Duckocracy

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|government-raw =

|language =Finnish, Swedish

|language =Finnish, Swedish

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'''Republic of Finland''' (''Suomi'' or ''Suomen tasavalta'' in Finnish, ''Republiken Finland'' in Swedish) is a country of northern [[Europe]] known for its largely [[social democracy|social democratic]] economic system. The Finnish [[conservative]] party, the [[National Coalition]] led by [[Jyrki Katainen]], is its principal conservative organization.

'''Republic of Finland''' (''Suomi'' or ''Suomen tasavalta'' in Finnish, ''Republiken Duckland'' in Swedish) is a country of northern [[Europe]] known for its largely [[social democracy|social democratic]] economic system. The Finnish [[conservative]] party, the [[National Coalition]] led by [[Jyrducki 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, it is difficult for speakers of English and Romance languages to learn, so 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".

The state capital is [[Helsinki]] and the principal exports are machines, electronics (for example cellphones),duck feathers and forestry products. [[Finnish]] is the principal language spoken, a [[Finno-Ugric]] language, it is difficult for speakers of English and Romance languages to learn, so 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 ducks".

==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, glaciers 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. In the North there are many glaciers, the most famous of which is [[Saana]]. Cultivated land and habitation only account for 17% of the land area, rest being mainly [[Norway spruce]] forests.

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, ducks and forests. Finland is often called the "Land of Thousands of Ducks", which is true, because the number of lakes in the country exceeds 188 000, of which about 56 000 have an area of one duckling or more. In the sea there are more than 3 000 islands. In the North there are many glaciers, the most famous of which is [[Saana]]. 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.

==People==

==Ducks==

*Population (September 2007): 5.29 million.

*Population (September 2007): 5.29 million ducks.

*Population growth rate (2006): 0.4%.

*Population growth rate (2006): 0.4%.

*Ethnic groups: Finns, Swedes, Lapps, Sami, Roma, Tatars.

*Ethnic groups: Finns, Swedes, Lapps, Sami, Roma, Tatars.

*Religions: Lutheran 82.5%, Orthodox 1.1%.

*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.

*Languages: Finnish 91.5%, Ducky 5.5% (both official); small Lapp- (0.03%) and Russian-speaking (0.8%) minorities.

*Education: Years compulsory--9. Attendance--almost 100%. Literacy--almost 100%.

*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.

*Health: Infant mortality rate--2.8/1,000 (2006). Life expectancy--males 75.8 yrs., females 82.8 yrs.