Finland

Finland: A Country of Vast Natural Beauty and Rich History

Imagine a land where the sun barely sets during summer nights and the northern lights dance across the sky – that’s Finland! Nestled in Northern Europe, this Nordic gem borders Sweden, Norway, Russia, Estonia, and the Baltic Sea. With its population of 5.6 million people, it boasts a climate that ranges from humid continental to boreal, with more than 180,000 lakes dotting the landscape.

But Finland’s story is far more complex than just its geography. Settled around 9,000 BC by hunter-gatherers using stone tools, it has a rich tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped its identity over millennia. From the arrival of agriculture and the introduction of Christianity to the rise of nationalism and eventual independence in 1917, Finland’s journey is one of resilience and transformation.

Today, Finland stands as a modern welfare state with a high per capita income, performing exceptionally well in national performance metrics, and recently joining NATO on April 4, 2023. Its unique blend of tradition and innovation makes it a fascinating destination for both residents and visitors alike.

From Stone Age to Modern Times

The area now known as Finland was settled around 8,500 BC during the Stone Age. Hunter-gatherers used stone tools, followed by pottery introduced in 5200 BC and later the Comb Ceramic culture. The arrival of the Corded Ware culture may have coincided with agriculture’s start. Bronze artefacts were introduced through the Seima-Turbino phenomenon around 1300 BC, leading to commercial contacts with Scandinavia.

Agriculture and animal husbandry spread during the Iron Age, but population growth was slow due to the cold climate. The Finno-Ugric languages possibly arrived with bronze artefacts. A common Finnic language was spoken in the Gulf of Finland 2000 years ago. Contact with ancient Baltic and Germanic peoples influenced the Proto-Finnic language.

The Sami people retained their hunter-gatherer lifestyle longer than Finns, surviving in Lapland. The name ‘Suomi’ (Finnish for ‘Finland’) has uncertain origins but may be related to ‘saame’.

Medieval and Early Modern Finland

The Livonian Crusade had ongoing effects on the Finnish tribes, with several Catholic crusades taking place against them from the 12th to the 13th centuries. The Swedish kingdoms waged at least three crusades to Finland in the 12th century and several others in the 13th century.

As a result of these crusades and colonization efforts, Finland gradually became part of the kingdom of Sweden and the sphere of influence of the Catholic Church. Swedish rule led to the introduction of Christianity, education, and administration, with Finnish becoming the dominant language among the peasantry and clergy.

Nationalism and Independence

The Protestant Reformation brought Lutheranism to Finland, while the end of the Kalmar Union ushered in changes to Finland’s administration, economy, and social structures. The 16th century saw the establishment of Helsinki as a capital city and the publication of written works in Finnish by Mikael Agricola.

Finland suffered several crises, including famines and plagues, but also gained recognition for its military prowess during the Thirty Years’ War. The 18th century saw wars with Russia that led to Finland’s occupation by Russian forces.

The Swedish era ended with the Finnish War of 1809, when Finland became an autonomous grand duchy within the Russian Empire. This period saw the recognition of Finnish as a language and the growth of a strong nationalist movement, which paved the way for Finland’s eventual independence in the 20th century.

Modern Finland

Milestones included the publication of Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala, in 1835 and legal equality of the Finnish language with Swedish in 1892. A Finnish national identity was established, but no real independence movement occurred until the early 20th century.

The Finnish famine of 1866-1868 devastated crops and killed around 15% of the population. The Russian Empire relaxed financial regulations after the famine, leading to rapid economic development. Russification policy was pursued from 1869 to 1917, but universal suffrage was introduced in 1906.

Finland’s position as a Grand Duchy under the Russian Empire was questioned after the February Revolution of 1917. The Finnish parliament passed the Power Act, which was rejected by the Russian Provisional Government. New elections were held, and the right-wing parties won by a small majority, leading to a short but bitter civil war between the Reds and Whites.

The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic recognized Finland’s independence on January 4, 1918, but the White government continued in exile. The Whites prevailed over the Reds, resulting in tens of thousands of Reds being interned in camps where thousands died. A deep social and political enmity between the Reds and Whites was sown that would last until the Winter War and beyond.

The Declaration of Independence was presented on December 4, 1917, and officially approved by the Finnish Parliament on December 6. The Russian Provisional Government’s rejection of the Power Act led to a reevaluation of Finland’s relationship with Russia. The civil war and activist expeditions in Soviet Russia strained relations with Finland.

A republican constitution was adopted, and K.J. Ståhlberg became the first president, anchoring the state in liberal democracy and promoting women’s equality. Finland established its border with the Soviet Union in 1920 and survived Soviet coup attempts and the anti-communist Lapua movement.

Post-World War II Developments

The Winter War in 1939 led to Finland defending its independence but ceding 9% of its territory to the Soviet Union. Hostilities resumed with the Continuation War, and Finland allied itself with Germany. The war resulted in Finland losing 12% of its land area, 20% of its industrial capacity, and paying $300 million in reparations.

Finland avoided occupation by Soviet forces and retained its independence, emerging as one of the only European countries to have participated in hostilities without being occupied and preserved democracy throughout. The Communists were a strong political party for several decades after World War II. The Soviet Union persuaded Finland to refuse Marshall Plan aid but provided secret development aid and supported the Social Democratic Party.

Finland transformed into an industrialized society after World War II through trade with Western powers and payment of reparations to the Soviet Union. The country experienced rapid economic growth, becoming one of the most extensive welfare states in the world by the 1980s. A market economy was maintained, and Finland traded privileges with the Soviets. However, a banking crisis, collapse of the Soviet Union, and global economic downturn led to a deep recession in the early 1990s.

The country joined the European Union in 1995 and the euro zone in 1999, experiencing steady economic growth. The late 1990s saw fueled by Nokia’s success. Tarja Halonen became the first female President of Finland in 2000, followed by Martti Ahtisaari winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008. Sauli Niinistö was elected President from 2012 until 2024.

Recent Developments and NATO Membership

Finnish support for NATO rose sharply after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Before February 2022, opinion polls showed a narrow but decisive majority against NATO membership; by April, a supermajority was in favour of membership. On 11 May 2022, Finland signed a mutual security pact with the United Kingdom. On 12 May, Finland’s president and Prime Minister called for NATO membership ‘without delay’. Subsequently, on 17 May, the Finnish Parliament voted 188–8 in favour of Finland’s accession to NATO. Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023.

Geography and Climate

Lying approximately between latitudes 60° and 70° N, and longitudes 20° and 32° E, Finland is one of the world’s northernmost countries. Of world capitals, only Reykjavík lies more to the north than Helsinki. The distance from the southernmost point – Hanko in Uusimaa – to the northernmost – Nuorgam in Lapland – is 1,160 kilometres (720 mi).

Finland has about 168,000 lakes and 179,000 islands. Its largest lake, Saimaa, is the fourth largest in Europe. The Finnish Lakeland is the area with the most lakes in the country; many of the major cities in the area, most notably Tampere, Jyväskylä and Kuopio, are located near the large lakes.

Much of Finland’s geography is a result of the Ice Age. The glaciers were thicker and lasted longer in Fennoscandia compared with the rest of Europe. The eroding effects have contributed to a mostly flat landscape in Finland, characterized by hills. However, in the northern regions, including areas bordering the Scandinavian Mountains, the terrain features mountainous elevations.

The highest point in Finland is Halti at 1,324 metres (4,344 ft), located in the north of Lapland at the border between Finland and Norway. The highest mountain whose peak is entirely in Finland is Ridnitšohkka at 1,316 m (4,318 ft). The retreating glaciers have left the land with morainic deposits in formations of eskers.

The landscape of Finland is primarily covered by coniferous taiga forests and fens with little cultivated land. The forest consists mainly of pine, spruce, birch, and other species. Finland is a major producer of wood in Europe and among the world’s largest. The most common type of rock is granite, while the soil is mostly moraine or till with humus cover.

Podzol profile development is seen in most forest soils except where drainage is poor. Phytogeographically, Finland can be subdivided into three ecoregions: Scandinavian and Russian taiga, Sarmatic mixed forests, and Scandinavian Montane Birch forest and grasslands. The country has a diverse range of fauna, including at least sixty native mammalian species, 248 breeding bird species, over 70 fish species, and eleven reptile and frog species.

The climate in Finland is characterized as boreal, with warm summers and freezing winters due to its geographical position between the 60th and 70th northern parallels. The main types of ecosystems found in Finland are taiga forests covering most of the country except for the southwestern coast, where mixed forests dominate.

Montane Birch forests are common in the extreme north near the tree line and Arctic Ocean. Within Finland, temperate climate varies greatly between coastal regions and northern areas, influenced by the Gulf Stream and Baltic Sea. Winters are cold, especially in the north, while summers are mild, with temperatures above 10°C in southern regions.

The country’s climate is suitable for cereal farming in the south and animal husbandry in the north. Finland has a unique Arctic landscape, with no tundra but Alpine tundra in Lapland. The midnight sun is experienced farther north, with some areas having continuous daylight for up to 73 days.

Government and Society

Finland consists of 19 regions governed by regional councils, which oversee planning, education, and public health services. Regional councils are elected by municipal councils and have state Employment and Economic Development Centres. Historically, counties were divisions of historical provinces representing local dialects and culture.

The country has a high ranking in the Environmental Performance Index, scoring well in climate change mitigation, waste management, air pollution, and air quality. As of 2021, Finland has 309 municipalities with fewer than 6,000 residents. There are 70 sub-regions and 19 counties governed by municipalities, as well as an autonomous province of Åland and a Sami native region.

Health services are organized into 21 Wellbeing services counties, which have limited powers but no tax levying authority. The capital region has a continuous population of over 1.2 million people. Finland is a parliamentary republic with a Prime Minister as its most powerful person. The President serves as head of state and has ceremonial and representative duties, including appointing the Prime Minister, exercising foreign relations and defense powers, and granting pardons.

The current president of Finland is Alexander Stubb, who took office on March 1, 2024. His predecessors included notable figures such as Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg and Urho Kekkonen.

Parliament and Political Landscape

The Finnish Parliament, a unicameral body with 200 members, exercises supreme legislative authority and has the power to alter laws and dismiss the cabinet. The parliament is elected using the proportional D’Hondt method for four-year terms.

Cabinet formation typically involves negotiation among parties after parliamentary elections, resulting in multi-party coalitions. The current cabinet, known as the Orpo Cabinet, is led by Petteri Orpo and includes representatives from various parties such as the National Coalition Party, Finns Party, Swedish People’s Party, and Christian Democrats.

Finland has a civil law system based on Swedish law and Roman law, with courts including local courts, regional appellate courts, the Supreme Court, and administrative courts. The country has a relatively low crime rate compared to other EU countries, but high homicide rates for Western Europe are notable. Transparency International ranks Finland as one of the least corrupt countries in Europe.

The judicial system is also divided into special courts, such as the High Court of Impeachment, which handles criminal charges against high-ranking officeholders. The overall confidence in Finland’s security institutions is around 92%, with a day fine system applied to various offenses.

Significant Parliamentary Parties

Significant parliamentary parties include Centre Party, Christian Democrats, Finns Party, Green League, Left Alliance, National Coalition Party, Social Democrats, and Swedish People’s Party. Foreign relations According to the 2012 constitution, the president leads foreign policy in cooperation with the government, except that the president has no role in EU affairs. In 2008, Finland won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Finland’s relationship with Russia deteriorated after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The country is now expected to join NATO and has increased its military strength. According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Finland is the 13th most peaceful country in the world.

Defense and Military

The Finnish Defence Forces consist of professional soldiers, conscripts, and a large reserve. A universal male conscription is in place, under which all male Finnish nationals above 18 years of age serve for 6 to 12 months of armed service or 12 months of civilian service. Women are allowed to serve in combat arms.

Finnish defence expenditure per capita is one of the highest in the European Union. The branches of the military are the army, navy, and air force. Finland became a member of NATO on April 4, 2023.

Human Rights and Welfare

Finland has an extensive welfare system that guarantees decent living conditions for all residents. The country ranks above average among the world’s countries in democracy, press freedom, and human development. However, Amnesty International has expressed concern regarding some issues in Finland.

Economy

As of 2022, Finland ranks 16th globally in nominal GDP per capita. The service sector constitutes the largest segment of the economy, amounting to 66% of the GDP, while manufacturing and refining make up 31%. Manufacturing is the primary economic sector concerning foreign trade, making up 9% of the economy.

The predominant industrial sectors in 2007 were electronics (22%), machinery, vehicles, and other engineered metal products (21.1%), forest industry (13%), and chemicals (11%). Finland has considerable natural resources, including timber, minerals, and freshwater, but faces challenges for crop production due to harsh winters and short growing seasons.

The country’s GDP peaked in 2021 and the Helsinki metropolitan area accounts for one-third of the nation’s GDP. Private services are the largest employer, while forestry, paper mills, and agriculture remain important for rural populations. Finland ranks seventh in the Global Innovation Index for 2023 and 2024.

Finland’s agricultural sector is efficient and productive, despite climate challenges. The country is a world-leading wood producer, with forests playing a crucial role in its economy. The government has implemented regulations to ensure sustainable forestry practices. As of 2022, Finland’s unemployment rate was 6.8%, with private sector employers including major companies like Nokia and Nordea.

Education and Culture

The household structure is diverse, with 46% consisting of single people, 32% two persons, and 22% three or more persons. The average residential space in Finland is 40 square meters per person. In 2021, Finland’s GDP was €251 billion, with 74% of employed persons working in services and administration.

Finland has the highest concentration of cooperatives relative to its population, with S-Group and OP-Group being the largest retailer and bank, respectively. The country has a largely privately owned energy market, which provides competitive prices compared to other EU countries. Finland has the lowest non-household electricity prices in the EU.

In terms of transport, Finland’s road system is used for most internal cargo and passenger traffic, with Helsinki Airport being the main international passenger gateway. The government annually spends €350 million to maintain the 5,865-kilometer-long railway network.

Finland’s energy mix includes hydropower, wood energy, and nuclear power, with renewable energy making up 43% of final energy consumption. The country has five privately owned nuclear reactors producing 40% of its energy. There is passenger traffic from Helsinki and Turku, which have ferry connections to Tallinn, Mariehamn, Stockholm and Travemünde. The Helsinki-Tallinn route is one of the busiest passenger sea routes in the world.

Finland rapidly industrialized after World War II, achieving GDP per capita levels comparable to that of Japan or the UK at the beginning of the 1970s. The ‘metal industry’ and ‘forest industry’ were initially the main export-led industries. The Finnish economy has diversified over time, with companies expanding into fields such as electronics, metrology, petroleum, and video games.

In 2017, the Finnish economy consisted of approximately 2.7% agriculture, 28.2% manufacturing, and 69.1% services. In 2020, Finland was ranked 20th on the ease of doing business index among 190 jurisdictions. Finnish politicians have emulated the Nordic model, with low levels of protection in commodity trade, clear legal system, and business bureaucracy.

Finland is rated the least corrupt country in the world in the Corruption Perceptions Index and has a high ranking in terms of competitiveness. Collective labour agreements are universally valid in Finland, with only a few jobs outside the system. The unionization rate is high (70%), especially among university-educated professionals.

Finland’s tourism industry generated €15 billion in 2017, with €4.6 billion coming from foreign tourists. Lapland is a popular tourist destination due to its unique natural landscapes and polar night/aurora borealis. Finland has 40 national parks and offers various outdoor activities such as skiing, fishing, and hiking.

Demographics

The population of Finland is approximately 5.6 million, with a birth rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents and a fertility rate of 1.26 children born per woman, significantly below the replacement rate. In 1887 Finland recorded its highest rate of children born per woman at 5.17.

Finland has one of the oldest populations in the world with a median age of 42.6 years and an average population density of 18 inhabitants per square kilometre, the lowest in any EU member country. The population is concentrated in southern parts of the country, with three of the four largest cities located in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Finland’s immigrant population is growing, with 571,268 people from foreign backgrounds living in the country as of 2023. Finnish nationality law practices jus sanguinis policy, requiring children born to at least one Finnish parent to be granted citizenship. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, with Finnish predominating nationwide and Swedish spoken in coastal areas and the Åland region.

Swedish is a compulsory school subject, with many non-native speakers having good general knowledge of the language. Finnish Romani is spoken by approximately 5,000-6,000 people, while there are also recognized sign languages for both Romani and Swedish-speaking minorities. The Sámi languages have an official status in parts of Lapland, where over 10,000 Sami people reside.

Foreign languages taught to students include English (studied as a compulsory subject from grade one), with other options such as German, French, Spanish, and Russian available. Finland’s largest religious body is the Evangelical Lutheran Church, with approximately 63.6% of the population being members. Other Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church are significantly smaller, with the Jewish and other non-Christian communities making up only 1.6% of the population.

According to Eurobarometer polls, 33% of Finnish citizens believe in God, while 42% believe in some sort of spirit or life force. 8% consider themselves ‘highly religious’, while 31% are moderately religious, with 28% identifying as agnostic and 29% as non-religious.

Life expectancy is high, with men living to 79 years and women to 84 years. The under-five mortality rate is low, ranking Finland among the lowest in the world. However, there has been a slight increase in welfare and health inequalities between population groups, and lifestyle-related diseases are on the rise.

More than half a million Finns suffer from diabetes, type 1 being the most common globally in Finland. Many children are diagnosed with type 2. Musculoskeletal diseases and cancers increase, as do allergies and dementia. Mental disorders are a leading cause of work disability, particularly depression. Suicide rates were 13 per 100,000 in 2015, one of the highest among developed countries.

Finland’s healthcare system is under-resourced, with 307 residents for each doctor and an aging population that faces higher costs. Finland ranks highly in happiness reports, consistently ranking as one of the top 5 happiest countries in the world. Education is compulsory from age 7 to 18, free and government-funded.

The country has a high literacy rate, with over 33% of residents holding a tertiary degree, ranked 1st by the World Economic Forum. Adult education appears in various forms such as secondary evening schools, civic and workers’ institutes, study centres, vocational course centres, and folk high schools.

More than 30% of tertiary graduates are in science-related fields. Forest improvement, materials research, environmental sciences, neural networks, low-temperature physics, brain research, biotechnology, genetic technology, and communications showcase fields where Finnish researchers have had a significant impact.

Culture and Arts

Finland’s cultural landscape is rich with traditions, literature, music, and cinema. The country has produced notable authors like Aleksis Kivi, Minna Canth, Eino Leino, Juhani Aho, Edith Södergran, Frans Eemil Sillanpää, Mika Waltari, and Väinö Linna. Finnish poetry adopted modernism with Paavo Haavikko.

The visual arts in Finland started to form its characteristics in the 19th century. Notable painters include Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Pekka Halonen, Eero Järnefelt, Helene Schjerfbeck, and Hugo Simberg. Finnish architecture is famous worldwide and has contributed significantly to several styles, including Jugendstil, Nordic Classicism, and functionalism.

Finnish music includes traditional folk music and classical music influenced by traditional Finnish melodies and lyrics. In the historical region of Finnish Karelia and other parts of Eastern Finland, old poem singing traditions were preserved better than in the western parts of the country. In the 19th century Nordic folk dance music largely replaced the kalevaic tradition. Finnish folk music has undergone a roots revival and has become a part of popular music.

The first Finnish opera was written by Fredrik Pacius in 1852, with Jean Sibelius becoming famous for his vocal symphony Kullervo and composing Finlandia, which played an important role in Finland gaining independence. Other notable composers include Oskar Merikanto, Toivo Kuula, Erkki Melartin, Leevi Madetoja, Uuno Klami, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Aulis Sallinen, Magnus Lindberg, and Kaija Saariaho.

Finnish popular music includes Iskelmä (a light popular song) and various kinds of dance music, such as tango and polka. The country has produced notable progressive rock groups like Wigwam and Hurriganes, punk bands like Terveet Kädet, and metal bands that have gained international recognition.

Finland has won the Eurovision Song Contest once in 2006 with Lordi’s song ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’. Modern Finnish popular music includes prominent rock musicians, pop musicians, jazz musicians, hip hop performers, and dance music acts.

Cinema

Finnish cinema is known for notable directors like Mika and Aki Kaurismäki, Dome Karukoski, Antti Jokinen, Jalmari Helander, and Renny Harlin. The country has produced internationally successful films such as The White Reindeer, The Man Without a Past, and The Fencer, as well as significant Finnish films like The Unknown Soldier and Beneath the North Star. A 1960 crime comedy film Inspector Palmu’s Mistake was voted Finland’s best film by critics in 2012, but Uuno Turhapuro in the Army remains the most seen domestic film since 1968.

Media and Communication

Today, there are around 200 newspapers, 320 popular magazines, and 67 commercial radio stations. The largest newspaper is Helsingin Sanomat with a circulation of 339,437 as of 2019. Yle operates five television channels and thirteen radio channels.

Finns spend the most time reading newspapers worldwide, and Finland’s press has been rated the freest in the world. Finns also rank high in terms of telecommunication infrastructure.

Social Customs

Sauna is an integral part of Finnish culture, with a history dating back 7,000 years. Nearly all Finnish houses have their own sauna or timeshare sauna.

Finnish cuisine combines traditional country fare and contemporary style cooking, often using potatoes, meat, fish, wholemeal products, and berries. Coffee consumption is high in Finland, with milk consumption also being common despite lactose intolerance.

Conclusion

Finland’s journey from a Stone Age settlement to a modern welfare state that has recently joined NATO is nothing short of remarkable. Its rich history, diverse culture, and innovative spirit make it a unique destination for exploration and inspiration. As Finland continues to evolve, its commitment to sustainability, equality, and innovation will undoubtedly shape the future.