FINLAND (Finnish: Suomi) is the fifth-largest country in Europe, 
excluding Russia. Its population center is farther north than that
of any other country except Iceland; its capital, Helsinki, is,
after Reykjavik, Iceland, the world's northernmost capital city.
About one-third of the country lies north of the Arctic Circle. 
Finland is bordered on the north by Norway, on the east by Russia,
on the south by the Gulf of Finland, and on the west by the Gulf 
of Bothnia and Sweden. The country is one of the leading manufacturers 
and exporters of timber and paper products in the world, and its 
economy depends heavily on the forestry industry.

LAND AND RESOURCES

Most of Finland is lowland. One-third of its area lies 
below 100 m (330 ft), two-thirds below 200 m (660 ft), and 
almost nine-tenths below 300 m (985 ft). The highest elevations 
are in the extreme northwest where Haltia (Lapp: Haldetsokka), 
the highest point on Finland, rises to 1,328 m (4,357 ft). An 
ancient granite bedrock shield underlies Finland and is crossed 
by numerous major fracture lines that appear as gorges, long, 
narrow lakes, or elongated bays at the coast.

PHYSICAL REGIONS

Finland has three main physical regions: the coastal lowlands, 
the lake district, and the northern uplands. The coastal lowlands, 
about 65-130 km (40-80 mi) wide, extend along the indented 
coastlines of the Gulf of Finland on the south and the Gulf of 
Bothnia on the west. Thousands of rocky islands lie off the coasts, 
the principal group being the Aland (Finnish: Ahvenanmaa) Islands. 
The lake district is the interior plateau of southern central 
Finland. This lake-studded region is heavily forested and has 
numerous swamps and bogs. Many lakes are connected by short 
rivers. The northern upland, much of which lies north of the 
Arctic Circle, has poor soils and is the most sparsely populated 
region of Finland. In the far north, arctic forests and swamps 
give way to tundra--a frozen, forestless region.

SOILS

The most common soil is till--an unstratified mixture of clay, 
sand, and gravel--which covers the bedrock almost everywhere. 
Large areas of clay are found in south and southwest Finland. 
Peat covers more than 30% of the land area. The soil is 
usually 3-4 m (10-13 ft) thick but in some places is as 
thick as 110 m (360 ft). Clay is best suited for agriculture, 
till and rocky soil for forestry.

CLIMATE

Finland's climate exhibits both maritime and continental 
influences. Surrounding seas cool the climate on the coast 
in spring but warm it in fall. The climate becomes more 
continental--that is, more extreme--toward the east and north. 
The extreme north, however, exhibits a marine climate because 
of the influence of the Arctic Ocean. Rainfall decreases from 
700 mm (28 in) in southern Finland to 400 mm (16 in) in 
northern Finland. The heaviest rainfall is from August to 
September, the lightest from February to April. The summer 
lasts 2 to 4 months, the growing season 4 to 6.

DRAINAGE

Finland is known as a land of lakes and islands. The 60,000-odd 
lakes average 7 m (23 ft) deep and usually have indented 
shorelines and islands. They are connected by rivers and 
canals to form long lake-systems. Finland's largest lake, 
Saimaa, is actually a system of more than 100 interconnected 
smaller lakes. Finland's rivers are short and shallow, the 
longest being located in the north.
The coast of Finland is more than 1,100 km (685 mi) long, 
but because it is heavily indented, the shoreline measures 
nearly 5,000 km (3,000 mi). Finland has about 30,000 coastal 
islands, of which the southwest archipelago is unusual for 
its natural beauty.

VEGETATION AND ANIMAL LIFE

Finland is situated entirely within the northern zone of 
coniferous forests. Forests cover about 65% of the total area. 
Pines constitute 45% of the forests, spruces 37%, and birches 15%. 
Southern deciduous trees such as oaks, lindens, elms, and ashes, 
appear in the southwest. Flora includes 1,227 different species 
of herbaceous plants and shrubs, 800 species of moss, and more 
than 1,000 species of lichen. Among the fauna are 67 species 
of mammals, including bear, elk (moose), and wolf; 370 species 
of birds; and 77 species of fish, 33 of which are 
economically valuable.

RESOURCES

Forests are Finland's most important natural resource, and 
forest products are a major source of national income. The 
underlying bedrock contains a diversity of minor mineral 
deposits, including copper, nickel, iron, zinc, chromium, 
lead, and iron pyrites. In addition, limestone and granite 
are quarried for building materials. The small mineral 
deposits make mining uneconomical, although a large mine 
in eastern Finland produces quantities of copper and zinc. 
The country has abundant water supplies, but water must 
often be transported over long distances to the population centers.

PEOPLE

Racially the Finns are mixed, most being either of East 
Baltic stock (living mainly in eastern Finland) or of Nordic 
stock (in the west and south, especially on the coast and in 
Ahvenanmaa). A small number of Lapps live in northern Finland. 
Other ethnic groups include about 2,800 Russian speakers, 
2,500 English speakers, 2,200 German speakers, 5,500 Gypsies, 
and 1,000 Jews.
The Finnish language belongs to the Finno-Ugric family 
of the Ural-Altaic languages; it is related to Estonian 
and Hungarian. At least seven main dialects can be distinguished, 
each of which has numerous local accents. Finnish is spoken by 93.6% 
of the population, Swedish by 6%. Most of the Swedish-speaking people 
live in the southern coastal area, Ahvenanmaa, and on the coast of 
Ostrobothnia. About 1,726 persons speak Lapp, which is also of 
Finno-Ugric origin. Finnish and Swedish are both official languages.
The constitution of Finland allows freedom of worship. 
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran church constitute 88.4% 
of the population; the Orthodox church, 1.1%; the Roman 
Catholic church, 0.1%; other denominations, 0.8%; and those 
with no church affiliation, 9.6%. The Lutheran and Orthodox 
churches are recognized as official state churches.

DEMOGRAPHY

Although Finland is about ten times the size of the Netherlands, 
its population is only about one-third as large. The southern, 
industrialized third of the country is the most densely populated, 
with 46.8 persons per sq km (121.2 per sq mi); the northern 
two-thirds of the country averages 9.1 inhabitants per sq km 
(23.6 per sq mi).
Scattered settlements are characteristic of the countryside. 
Rapid urbanization began after World War II, when 425,000 
refugees from Soviet-occupied land were resettled, mostly 
in the cities. The largest cities are Helsinki, Tampere, 
Turku and Lahti in the south, and Oulu in the north.

EDUCATION AND HEALTH

The first stage in education is a compulsory 9-year 
comprehensive school. The second stage comprises a 3-year 
senior secondary school or a vocational school. 
Graduates of senior secondary schools must take a 
matriculation examination. Those who pass it can apply to 
universities, technical schools, or other institutions of 
higher education.
The standard of national health care is high in Finland. 
The National Health Act of 1972 abolished physicians' fees 
and provided for the creation of municipal health-care centers 
throughout the country. Individual licensed physicians also 
exist. The number of hospital beds in relation to population 
is one of the highest in the world.

THE ARTS

The oldest Finnish literature is in the form of epic poetry, 
legends, stories, and proverbs. Elias Lonnrot (1802-84) collected 
folk literature and published the Kalevala, the Finnish national 
epic. Important writers include Aleksis Kivi (1834-72), 
Minna Canth, Frans Emil Sillanpaa, Mika Waltari, and Vaino Linna. 
Eino Leino is perhaps the best-known poet; Edith Sodergran 
(1892-1923) was a pioneer of the Scandinavian modernist 
movement. Major contemporary poets include Paavo Haavikko, 
Eeva-Liisa Manner, and Pentti Saarikoski.
The best-known Finnish composer outside Finland is Jean Sibelius. 
Others include Fredrik Pacius (1809-91), Oskar Merikanto (1868-1924), 
Aarre Merikanto (1893-1958), Leevi Madetoja (1887-1947), and 
Uuno Klami (1900-61). Aulis Sallinen and Joonas Kokkonen are 
major contemporary composers. The Kaustinen Folk Festival draws 
large crowds every summer. (See also Scandinavian music.)
The high standard of imaginative Finnish architecture can be 
seen even in old church buildings. Eero Saarinen, Eliel Saarinen, 
Wivi Lonn (1872-1966), and Lars Sonck (1870-1956) were pioneers 
of the national romantic style. Neoclassicism was introduced by 
J. S. Siren (1889-1961) and functionalism by Alvar Aalto. Aalto 
is also well known as an urban planner, interior designer, and 
industrial and furniture designer. Raimo and Raili Pietila are 
contemporary architects well known for their unconventional, 
expressionistic style.
Albert Edelfelt (1854-1905) and Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931) 
are representatives of the golden era of Finnish painting; their 
ideas were derived from history and the Kalevala. Helene Schjerbeck 
(1862-1946) was a leader in the break with realism, and Tyko 
Sallinen (1879-1955) was a well-known expressionist.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Finland's most important industry has traditionally been wood 
processing, including production of pulp and paper. The metal and 
engineering industries have developed rapidly and today are the 
largest source of industrial employment. The chemical, graphics, 
and food industries are also significant to the economy, followed 
by textile and electrochemical enterprises. Mining activity has 
decreased in importance, although Finland still produces one-half 
of the copper and nickel needed for the domestic market.
In the early 1990s the country was in a recession: the gross 
domestic product declined, and the unemployment rate reached 
22% in 1994.

POWER

Largely because Finnish industry, particularly the forest 
industry, is energy intensive, Finland's energy consumption 
is one of the highest per capita in the world. In 1992, 38% 
of this energy was supplied by imported oil and coal. Four 
nuclear power plants furnished another 15%, and 31% was supplied 
by hydropower, peat, and other indigenous sources. In the same 
year, 55.3 billion kW h of electrical power was produced.

AGRICULTURE

In 1960, 30% of Finland's workforce was engaged in farming; 
by 1992 the figure was less than 10%, and only 7% of the total 
land area was cultivated. Nevertheless, the agricultural sector 
produces a surplus of dairy products, meat, and eggs. Wheat and 
rye are the most important bread grains; other major crops 
include hay, potatoes, oats, and barley. Finland's climate and 
small farms favor dairy and livestock production, which accounts 
for most of the farm income. The problems created by overproduction 
have led to soil banking (a policy of purposely leaving farmland 
uncultivated) and reforestation.

FORESTRY

Forests cover about 65% of the total land area, or about 
26.4 million ha (65.2 million acres), of which 20 million 
ha (49.4 million acres) are productive. Since the 1950s 
large-scale swamp drainage, fertilizing, and reforestation 
have improved production. The state owns 20% of the forests; 
the rest are privately controlled. Owners of small farms often 
work in the forests during winter, but mechanization has 
reduced the need for this seasonal workforce.

TRANSPORTATION

Roads are the leading means of transportation in Finland. 
Automobiles number about 380 per 1,000 inhabitants. Railways 
connect the country with Sweden and Russia, and Helsinki has 
a subway system. In the past, waterborne traffic was hampered 
by ice during the winter, but the use of icebreakers has eased 
this problem.

TRADE

Finland is dependent on foreign trade. Although exports are 
diverse, forest products and metal and engineering products 
account for more than three-fourths of the total value of 
exported goods. Raw materials represent nearly half of the 
total value of imports; next in importance are consumer 
goods and investment goods; fuels and crude oil make up 
the remainder. Finland became an associated member of the 
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1961 and a full 
member in 1986. In 1995 it joined other Scandinavian 
countries in becoming a member of the European Union (EU).

GOVERNMENT

The Finnish constitution was adopted in 1919. Finland 
is a republic, headed by a president elected for a 6-year 
term. The president is chosen by popular vote, in two 
rounds if necessary. Martti Ahtisaari, a Social Democrat, 
was elected president in 1994. Supreme executive power is 
vested in the president, who is responsible for the country's 
foreign relations. Legislative power is shared by the 
president and the one-chamber parliament of 200 members. 
The council of state (cabinet), which is headed by a prime 
minister, is responsible for the country's general 
administration. Judicial power is vested in independent 
courts of justice. The country is divided into 5 provinces, 
which are subdivided into municipalities. The unit of local 
government is the commune.

HISTORY

The first settlements in Finland were probably made by people 
moving east after the Ice Age and date back to about 7000 BC. 
It is believed that the Finns are descendants of these original 
settlers and others who migrated into the area in the following 
millennia. Beginning in the 12th century, Sweden gradually 
conquered Finland and introduced Christianity to the Finns. 
The Pahkinansaari peace treaty in 1323 established the 
boundary between Sweden and Novgorod, the Russian power 
to the east. In the 16th century, as Sweden consolidated 
its authority in Finland, Lutheranism was proclaimed the 
official religion. The peace treaty of Stolbovo (1617) gave 
Sweden the eastern parts of Finland and Inkerinmaa (Ingria). 
These, however, were lost to Russia in the Uusikaupunki 
peace treaty (Treaty of Nystad) in 1721. During the 18th 
century a growing separatist movement in Finland demanded 
independence.
As a result of the war of 1808-09, Sweden surrendered 
Finland to Russia. Finland became an autonomous grand 
duchy with the tsar assuming the title grand duke of 
Finland. The Russian governor-general represented the 
supreme executive power, and Finland was allowed to 
retain its old constitution. It had its own parliament, 
government, administration, law and courts, postal 
services, army (until 1904), and currency. In 1906 
the Finnish diet was replaced by the unicameral parliament, 
and simultaneously universal suffrage was adopted.
At times, strong attempts were made to Russianize Finland, 
provoking a growing desire for complete independence. 
After the Russian Revolution of November (N.S.) 1917, 
Finland declared its independence on Dec. 6, 1917. 
Civil war broke out in 1918, with Soviet-supported 
Communist troops fighting German-supported non-Communists, 
the latter led by Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim. In 1920 
peace was concluded with the USSR following a territorial 
war over Karelia, but relations between the two countries 
remained cool. By the outbreak of World War II, Finland 
had adopted a policy of neutrality, and when the USSR 
demanded Finnish territory and military bases for defense 
against Germany, Finland refused. On Nov. 30, 1939, Soviet 
troops invaded Finland, beginning the Russo-Finnish War. 
In March 1940, by the Treaty of Moscow, Finland ceded 
Karelian territories to the USSR. When Germany invaded 
the USSR in 1941, Finland reoccupied its former territories. 
In 1944, however, Soviet troops staged a counterinvasion, and 
by the armistice signed in September 1944, Finland was forced 
to cede the Karelian Isthmus and other eastern lands, including 
the corridor in the extreme north to the Barents Sea, and to 
grant a 50-year lease to a military base at Porkkala. The 
USSR returned the military base in 1955 in exchange for 
the renewal of a friendship treaty signed in 1948. Since 
World War II, Finland has maintained a careful neutrality, 
often with special regard to the USSR, its powerful neighbor 
to the east. Finland's policy of neutrality was largely 
formulated by Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, who served as president 
from 1956 until 1982. The breakup of the USSR in 1991 freed 
Finland from the threat of Soviet influence in its affairs; 
it also brought hard economic times, however, for the Soviet 
Union had been one of the country's chief export markets. 
Finland completed negotiations for its entry into the European 
Union in March 1994; voters endorsed EU membership the 
following October, and membership became effective in January 1995.