Geography

Finland is located in the northernmost region of Europe. The country is bordered by Russia to the east, Norway to the north, and Sweden to the northwest. Finland has a long coastline. The Gulf of Bothnia lies to the west, the Baltic Sea to the southwest, and the Gulf of Finland to the south. A large number of small coastal islands also are a part of Finland. The largest of these are the Aland Islands, just off the southwestern coast in the Baltic Sea. Finland has a total area of about 130,559 square miles (338,145 square kilometers).

Most of Finland is composed of lowlands. Forests cover about three fourths of the land. Finland has more than 50,000 lakes and numerous rivers. When viewed from the air, Finland looks like an intricate blue and green jigsaw puzzle.

The majority of the population lives in the southern third of the country. The extreme northern part of Finland is very cold, and the northwest is mountainous. At the country's northwestern tip is Mount Haltia, Finland's highest peak, at 4,356 feet (1,328 meters). The northern area of Finland, Sweden, and Norway is traditionally called Lapland. The area was named for the Sami, or Lapps, a group of people who have lived in the region for several thousand years.

Plants and animals

Most of Finland's vast forests are filled with evergreens, especially pines and spruces. In the extreme south, there are also broad-leaved trees such as birch, hazel, and aspen. Lichens, moss, and cloudberries grow in the northern swamps. The trees of the northern forests are often dwarfed in size because of the poor growing conditions.

The animal life of Finland is adapted to a land of large forest and water areas and a rather rugged climate. Seabirds nest in great numbers on the coastal islands, and waterfowl nest on inland lakes. The country's other birds include the Siberian jay, the pied wagtail, and the eagle. Finland's forests are home to bears, elk, wolves, wolverines, and lynx. Herds of reindeer are raised by people in the north. However, the wild reindeer that once populated much of the northern region have almost disappeared. Salmon, trout, whitefish, herring, perch, and pike are found in the country's waters.

People

More than 90 percent of the country's people are ethnic Finns who speak Finnish. Ethnic Swedes are the largest minority group, composing about 6 percent of the population. They live primarily in the south and west and on the Aland Islands. Finnish and Swedish are both official languages, and most children learn both in grammar school. There are also a few thousand Sami, or Lapps, who were among the earliest settlers of the Finnish lands. The Sami live mostly in the northern regions.

The Evangelical Lutheran church and the Finnish (Greek) Orthodox church are state churches. However, freedom of religion is guaranteed for all groups. About 85 percent of the people are Lutheran, and about 1 percent are Greek Orthodox.

Culture

Finland has a rich oral tradition of folk stories, ballads, and poems. In the 19th century Elias Lönnrot wrote down and compiled many of these old tales and songs. The most famous of these is the Kalevala, an epic poem that served as a source of national pride and cultural unity. These folk stories also inspired the works of many artists, including the symphonic composer Jean Sibelius, a major figure of 20th century music.

The Finns have achieved international acclaim in many arts. In 1939 the Finnish writer Frans Sillanpää won the Nobel prize for literature. The architects Eliel Saarinen and Alvar Aalto won renown for their bold, imaginative designs in the 20th century.

Economy

Finland has a diverse economy centered around the manufacturing, trade, finance, and service industries. Manufacturing accounts for more than a quarter of the national income. Major industries include engineering and the production of metals, chemicals, wood products, machinery, textiles, foodstuffs, and specialized ships. Electronics and telecommunications products such as mobile phones have become increasingly important.

Finland's forests are its greatest natural resource. The country is a major supplier of wood and paper products to Western European nations. Finland has a limited mining industry and small reserves of iron, zinc, copper, nickel, and gold.

Once the basis of the Finnish economy, agriculture now makes up only a small share of economic life in Finland. The major crops include barley, sugar beets, oats, potatoes, and wheat. Pigs and cattle are the main livestock. Reindeer herding plays an important role in the local economy of the north. The country has good inland and marine fishing, though its importance in the economy has declined.

History

Historians have found evidence that people were living in the area that is now Finland some 100,000 years ago. However, the first settlement of Finland began about 10,000 years ago. The settlers probably represented several groups, including the ancestors of the present Sami. The Sami slowly withdrew to the northern parts of Finland.

In the 12th century AD the Swedes began to convert the Finns to Christianity. Sweden and Russia fought for political and religious control of the region for many years. The Swedes took over Finland in 1323 and remained in control of it until the 19th century. Despite this conquest, the Finns remained a distinct group and played an important role in the political and military affairs of Sweden.

Russia defeated the Swedes in 1721 and became the dominant power in the region. Sweden officially surrendered Finland to Russia in 1809. In 1917 the Russian Empire collapsed as a result of the Russian Revolution. Finland declared itself an independent country in December 1917.

World War II (1939–45) was disastrous for Finland. The country lost large pieces of territory to the Soviet Union during the Russo-Finnish war of 1939–40. In 1941 Finland sided with Germany against the Soviet Union and won back its lost territory. However, Finland was again defeated by the Soviet forces in 1944. Under the terms of the peace treaty, Finland was forced to give up more territory.

During the long term of President Urho Kekkonen (1956–81), Finland maintained a carefully neutral political position and experienced steady economic growth. The government also improved social conditions throughout the country. Finland joined the European Union in 1995. In 2000 Tarja Halonen was elected Finland's first woman president. Population (2001 estimate), 5,185,000.