Finland – the most detailed information about the country with a photo. Attractions, Finnish cities, climate, geography, population and culture.
Contents
Finland – Suomi
Finland – a state in the north of Europe in the eastern part Scandinavian Peninsula. Bordered by Sweden on the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east. Finland is modern state with a high standard of living, comfortable small towns and villages, which still has large untouched natural landscapes. Is a parliamentary republic in which the official languages recognized are Finnish and Swedish.
Finland is a country of white nights and northern lights, endless forests and hundreds of thousands of blue lakes, many picturesque islands and immense snowy expanses of Lapland, known to many as the birthplace Santa It lies far from popular tourist routes and not spoiled by the tourist’s attention. But her charm is hidden in it. Finland is quite real – from nature to the people on the streets.
- Useful information
- Geography and nature
- Climate
- Best time to visit
- Story
- Administrative division
- Population
- Transport
- Cities of Finland
- sights
- Accommodation
- Kitchen
Finland flag
Useful information about Finland
- The population is 5.5 million people.
- The area is 338,400 km2.
- Language – Finnish, Swedish and partially Sami.
- Currency – Euro.
- Visa – Schengen.
- Time – UTC +2, in summer +3.
- Although the state religion is officially is Lutheran and Orthodoxy, the Finns are not the most religious nation of Europe.
- Finland has 75 ski resorts. Most of them located in Lapland.
- Finland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Here it is quite difficult to find cheap accommodation (even a bed in a hostel will cost 15 – 20 euros).
- Right-hand traffic.
- Popular souvenirs: Finnish knives (puukko), woven carpets ryijy, handicrafts (with the label Sámi Duodji). Also frequent Shopping are: Marimekko clothes, Iittala glass, decorations Kalevala Koru and Arabia ceramics.
- In grocery stores and supermarkets can not buy something stronger beer. From 21.00 to 9.00 in Finland it is forbidden to sell beverages with an ethanol content of more than 2.8% by volume. Wine and spirits can be bought in specialized Alko stores.
Geography and nature
Finland is located in northern Europe in eastern Scandinavia. The southern part of the country is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Finland, and the western waters of the Gulf of Bothnia, which are part of the waters Baltic Sea. About 1/4 of the territory lies beyond the polar all around. In Finland, there are more than 180,000 lakes and more 80,000 islands.
Lake in Finland
Geographically, the country can be divided into three region:
- The southern and western coasts are lowlands along which located many island. The largest of them are: the Aland Islands, Turku archipelago and the archipelago sea.
- The central part is the land of lakes, swamps and forests. Here are located The largest lakes in Finland are Saima, Paiyanne, Inarijärvi and Ouluyarvi.
- North – low rocky mountains and elevations of Lapland, occupied by taiga and tundra. Here is the highest point Finland – the slope of the mountain Halti (1324 meters). Also in the north the largest rivers flow – Kemijoki, Oulujoki and Tornionjoki.
Fog in the woods Finland
There are several natural zones in Finland: tundra, taiga, mixed and Scandinavian forests. Many forests preserved almost in pristine condition, rich in mushrooms and berries Typical representatives of the animal world: bears, lynx, wolves, foxes, wolverines, ermines, owls, white-tailed eagles. On rare ringed seals live on Lake Saimaa.
Climate
The climate in most of Finland is temperate, transitional from maritime in the south to continental in the north. Winters quite cold and snowy. Summer is cool.
Winter in Lapland
Best time to visit
The best time to come to Finland is summer, early autumn and winter. In summer and early autumn you can enjoy beauty and colors. Finnish nature, long walks and white nights. In winter there is A chance to see the northern lights.
Northern Lights
Story
The territory of modern Finland was settled in 8 – 9 millennium BC. The oldest settlements were discovered between the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland. The first mention of Finland date back to the 1st century AD By the year 1000, its territory was inhabited by Suomi, Tavasty and Karelians. They differed culturally and often hostile. Modern Finns have arisen as a result of mixing Germanic, Baltic and Siberian peoples. The basis of Finnish is Finno-Finnish dialect.
In the 8th century, the Vikings came to the Finnish coast, who founded here are trade settlements. In the middle of the 12th century during the reign the Swedish king Eric IX were subordinated to the Finnish tribes and began their christianization. From this time on, more than 6th century begins. Swedish domination. In the 13th century, Western and Southern Finland was culturally and politically getting closer to Sweden. At the end of the 13th century, the Swedes take another trip to the Finnish lands, as a result which was founded Vyborg. In 1362 Finland receives the status Swedish province.
Finnish open spaces. Kangasniemi
In 1550 the Swedish king Gustav Vasa was founded Helsinki. In 1556, Johan III grants status to Finland Duchy In the first half of the 17th century, the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf conquers Karelia. In 1640 a university was founded Turku.
In the period from 1700 to 1809, as a result of three Russian-Swedish troops Finland is part of the Russian Empire in the status Grand Duchy, whose capital becomes Helsinki. In 1917 Finland declared its independence, which it confirmed in during several wars with the USSR. Until the beginning of the second world war the country was neutral. In 1940, went on cooperation with Germany to return historical lands and expand your territory. In 1944, Finland withdrew from the war and severed relations with the Nazis. In 1995, the state became part of the European Union.
Administrative division
The territory of Finland is divided into 19 provinces (regions) which, in turn, are divided into cities and communes. Regions Finland: Lapland, Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, Northern Karelia, Northern Savo, Southern Savo, Southern Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa, Satakunta, Central Ostrobothnia, Central Finland, Varsinays-Suomi, South Karelia, Päijät-Häme, Kant-Häme, Uusimaa, Kymenlaakso, Aland Islands.
Administrative Division of Finland
In geographical terms, the territory of Finland can be divided into following regions:
- Southern Finland – Gulf of Finland coast, including the capital countries – Helsinki.
- Western Finland – the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia with the old the capital (Turku) and the central province led by Tampere.
- Eastern Finland is the land of forests and lakes, including Savonia and Western Karelia.
- Northern Finland – the region between Lapland and the south country.
- Finnish Lapland – the northernmost region of Finland with tundra and the largest ski resorts.
- Aland Islands – a group of islands off the southwest coast Finland with a Swedish mentality.
Population
Most of the Finnish population is ethnic Finns. Pretty the Swedish diaspora is large. Official languages recognized Finnish (spoken by 90% of the population) is Swedish and partly Sami. Finnish is not related to other Scandinavian languages. (Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic and Faroese), Russian or english. In fact, he does not even belong to Indo-European language group, and is part of the Ural group languages, which also includes Hungarian and Estonian. Therefore, his understanding and reading is quite difficult. But it will not a big problem, as more than 70% of the population speak English language.
Winter in Finland
Finns are quite open and sincere, civilized and sociable. They are real and think what they say. At the same time the Finns modest, calm and responsible. They honor their traditions love outdoor recreation and sauna.
The main Finnish holidays: New Year (December 31), Epiphany (January 6), Easter or Pääsiäinen, Walpurgis Night or Vappu (1 May), the festival of mid-summer or Juhannus (end of June), Day Independence or Itsenäisyyspäivä (December 6), Christmas (24-26 December).
Transport
The country’s largest international airport is located near Helsinki. Other major air ports are in Tampere and Turku. Railway and bus service is quite intensive with St. Petersburg, but this is not the fastest and cheapest way get to Finland. The best is steam. Ferries bind country with St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Tallinn, Riga.
Helsinki
Finnish cities and popular destinations
City Porvoo
Popular cities in Finland:
- Helsinki – the capital of Finland and its only “real” a city that still retained a provincial character. Helsinki called the “daughter of the Baltic States”, and the city itself is built on the model St. Petersburg.
- Hämeenlinna – a small town with a beautiful medieval lock.
- Jyväskylä is a university town in Central Of Finland.
- Kuopio is another university town located also in the center of the country, the capital of the lakeside region.
- Lappeenranta is a university city in southeastern Finland. Lake Saimaa.
- Oulu – a technological city on the banks of the Bothnian the gulf.
- Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and the “gateway” to this austere northern edge.
- Savonlinna – a small coastal town with a beautiful lock.
- Seinäjoki is one of the fastest growing Finnish cities located in the province of Southern Ostrobothnia.
- Tampere is the industrial capital of the country and one of its main cultural centers.
- Turku – the old capital of Finland with the medieval lock.
- Vaasa – a city on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia with Swedish character.
- Porvoo is one of the oldest cities in Finland with a little charming historical center.
- Rauma – one of the oldest cities in the country with colorful old wooden houses and cobbled streets.
Åland the islands
Popular destinations:
- Åland Islands is an archipelago between Finland and Sweden with predominantly swedish population. The islands are famous for their pristine nature and beautiful landscapes.
- Lapland – the harsh northern edge, the birthplace of Santa and stunning northern lights.
- Kauhava – the largest Finnish amusement park.
- Levi – one of the largest ski resorts Of Finland.
- Saima is one of the largest lakes in the country with a picturesque by nature.
- Lemmenjoki is a national park with wild coniferous forests.
North radiance in Lapland
Sights of Finland
Olafsborg
Olafsborg (Olavinlinna) – a 15th century Swedish fortress with three powerful towers. It is considered the most northern medieval stone the stronghold.
Sveaborg
Sveaborg (Suomenlinna) – one of the world’s largest marine fortresses built by the Swedes in the 18th century. Located not far from Helsinki and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cathedral Helsinki Cathedral
The sacred architecture of Helsinki – three major religious buildings: neoclassical Lutheran cathedral, the largest the Orthodox Church of Europe, the original Temppeliaukio Church, built in the rock.
Castle in Turku
The Turku Castle is a magnificent medieval building of the end of 13 century, originally built as a military fortress. Now in Its walls house the museum – one of the most visited Of Finland.
Hameenlinna
Hämeenlinna – a beautiful brick medieval castle of the 13th century, located by the natural park Aulanko.
Accommodation
Living in Finland is expensive. Interesting that summer the cost of hotels in cities may be slightly lower, since most Finns leave for nature. One way to save for living is to live in youth hostels (retkeilymaja). Also a great option is to book a cottage with sauna (Mökki).
Hotel in Lapland
Kitchen
Finnish cuisine is strongly influenced by its neighbors (Sweden, Russia). The main foods are potatoes and bread with various fish and meat dishes. Big role in Finnish The diet is also given to dairy products.
Traditional food:
- Baltic herring (Baltic herring) is a small, oily and tasty fish, which is fried, salted and smoked.
- Raw salted salmon (graavilohi).
- Smoked salmon (savulohi).
- Karelian stew (karjalanpaisti) – a hearty dish of beef and pork with potatoes and carrots.
- Liver casserole (maksalaatikko).
- Meatballs (lihapullat, lihapyörykät).
- Swedish hash (pyttipannu) – a hearty dish of potatoes, onions and meat.
- Venison (poro).
- Pea soup with ham (hernekeitto).
- Karelian pies (karjalanpiirakka).
Karelian stew
Prices in cafes and restaurants in Finland are quite high. For nutritional savings can take advantage of integrated offers, buy fast food or food in supermarkets.
