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{{coord|64.557881|26.323242|region:FI_type:country_source:wikimapia|display=title}}
{{otheruses1|the country in northern Europe}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = ''Suomen tasavalta''<br/>''Republiken Finland''
|conventional_long_name = Republic of Finland
|common_name = Finland
|image_flag = Flag_of_Finland.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Finland.svg
|image_map = EU_location_FIN.png
|map_caption = {{map caption|country=[[Finland]]|region=[[Europe]]|subregion=the [[European Union]]|legend=European location legend en.png}}
|national_anthem = ''[[Maamme]]''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Finnish language|Finnish]])</small><br/>''[[Maamme#Vårt land|Vårt land]]''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Swedish language|Swedish]])''<br/>"Our Land"</small>
|official_languages = [[Finnish language|Finnish]], [[Swedish language|Swedish]]
|regional_languages = [[Sami languages|Sami]]
|demonym = [[Finns|Finns, Finnish]]
|capital = [[Helsinki]]
|latd=60 |latm=10 |latNS=N |longd=24 |longm=56 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|religion = [[Lutheran]]
|government_type = [[Semi-presidential republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of Finland|President]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]]
|leader_title3 = [[Speaker of the Parliament of Finland|Parliament's speaker]]
|leader_name1 = [[Tarja Halonen]] ([[Social Democratic Party (Finland)|sd]])
|leader_name2 = [[Matti Vanhanen]] ([[Centre Party (Finland)|c]])
|leader_name3 = [[Sauli Niinistö]] ([[National Coalition Party (Finland)|nc]])
|accessionEUdate = January 1, 1995
|area_rank = 64th
|area_magnitude = 1 E11
|area_km2 = 338,145
|area_sq_mi = 130,558 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water = 10,0
|population_estimate = 5,325,644<ref name="Population clock">{{cite web |url=http://www.vaestorekisterikeskus.fi/vrk/home.nsf/pages/index_eng |title=The current population of Finland |work=Population Register Center |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref>
|population_estimate_rank = 111th
|population_estimate_year = 2008
|population_census = 5,155,000
|population_census_year = 2000
|population_density_km2 = 16
|population_density_sq_mi = 40 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 201st
|GDP_PPP = $185.853 billion<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=172&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=63&pr.y=14|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_rank = 52nd
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $35,349<ref name="autogenerated1" /> (IMF)
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 12th
|GDP_nominal = $246.350 billion<ref name="autogenerated1" />
|GDP_nominal_rank = 31st
|GDP_nominal_year = 2007
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $46,856<ref name="autogenerated1" /> (IMF)
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 9th
|sovereignty_type = [[History of Finland|Independence]]
|sovereignty_note = from [[Russian Empire]]
|established_event1 = ''[[Grand Duchy of Finland|Autonomy]]''
|established_event2 = [[Finland's Declaration of Independence|Declared]]
|established_event3 = Recognised
|established_date1 = ''March 29, 1809''
|established_date2 = December 6, 1917
|established_date3 = January 4, 1918
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.952
|HDI_rank = 11th
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>
|FSI = 18.5
|FSI_year = 2007
|FSI_rank = 176th
|FSI_category = <font color="#009900">Sustainable</font>
|Gini = 26.9
|Gini_year = 2000
|Gini_category = <font color="#009900">low</font>
|currency = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]])²
|currency_code = EUR
|country_code =
|time_zone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
|utc_offset = +2
|time_zone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +3
|drives_on = right
|cctld = [[.fi]], [[.ax]] ³
|calling_code = 358
|footnote1 = [[Semi-presidential system]]
|footnote2 = Before 2002: [[Finnish markka]]
|footnote3 = The [[.eu]] domain is also used, as it is shared with other [[European Union]] member states.
}}

'''Finland''' {{Audio-IPA|en-us-Finland.ogg|[ˈfɪnlənd]}}, officially the '''Republic of Finland'''<ref>"Republic of Finland", or "Suomen tasavalta" in Finnish and "Republiken Finland" in Swedish, is the long protocol name, which is not defined by the law. Legislation only recognizes the short name.</ref> ({{Audio|Suomi_Finland.ogg|Finnish: ''Suomi''; Swedish: ''Finland''}}), is a [[Nordic countries|Nordic country]] situated in the [[Fennoscandia]]n region of northern [[Europe]]. It borders [[Sweden]] on the west, [[Russia]] on the east, and [[Norway]] on the north, while [[Estonia]] lies to its south across the [[Gulf of Finland]]. The [[Capital (political)|capital]] city is [[Helsinki]].

Around 5.3 million people reside in Finland, with the majority concentrated in the southern part of the country.<ref name="Population clock"/> It is the eighth largest country in Europe in terms of area and the most [[list of countries by population density|sparsely populated]] country in the [[European Union]]. The native language for most of the population is [[Finnish language|Finnish]], a member of the [[Finno-Ugric languages| Finno-Ugric language family]] most closely related to [[Estonian language|Estonian]] and one of the four official [[languages of the European Union|EU languages]] not of [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] origin. The second official language, [[Swedish language|Swedish]], is spoken by a 5.5 percent minority.<ref name="Population 2006-12-31">{{cite web |url=http://tilastokeskus.fi/til/vaerak/2006/vaerak_2006_2007-03-23_tie_001_en.html |title=The population of Finland in 2006 |work=Statistics Finland |date=2006-12-31 |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> Finland is a [[Constitutional democracy|democratic]], [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[republicanism|republic]] with a mostly Helsinki-based central government and local governments in 415 municipalities. A total of a million residents live in [[Greater Helsinki]] (including [[Helsinki]], [[Espoo]], [[Vantaa]] and [[Kauniainen]]) and a third of the country's [[GDP]] is produced there. Other major cities include [[Tampere]], [[Turku]], and [[Oulu]].

Finland was historically a part of Sweden and from 1809 [[Grand Duchy of Finland|an autonomous Grand Duchy]] within the [[Russian Empire]]. [[Finland's declaration of independence]] in 1917 from [[Russia]] was followed by a [[Finnish civil war|civil war]], [[Military history of Finland during World War II|wars against the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany]], and a period of official neutrality during the [[Cold War]]. Finland joined the [[United Nations]] in 1955 and the [[European Union]] in 1995 and participates in the [[Eurozone]]. Finland has been ranked the [[List of countries by Failed States Index#Sustainable|second most stable country in the world]], in a survey based on social, economic, political, and military indicators.<ref>[http://www.fundforpeace.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=292&Itemid=452 The Failed States Index 2008]</ref>
<!--Finland was a relative latecomer to [[industrialization]], remaining a largely agrarian country until the 1950s. Thereafter economic development was rapid, and the country reached the world's top income levels in the 1970s. Between 1970 and 1990, Finland built an extensive welfare state. In the aftermath of the severe depression of the early 1990s, successive governments have reformed the Finnish economic system through some [[privatisation]], [[deregulation]], and tax cuts.-->

Finland has good results in many [[Finland#International rankings|international comparisons of national performance]] such as the share of high-technology manufacturing, public education, health care, the rate of gross domestic product growth, and the protection of civil liberties.<ref name="World Audit">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldaudit.org/countries/finland.htm |title=Finland: World Audit Democracy Profile |work=WorldAudit.org |accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref>
{{TOClimit|limit=3}}

==History==
{{main|History of Finland}}

===Prehistory===
According to [[Archaeology|archaeological]] evidence, the area now composing Finland was settled at the latest around [[9th millennium BCE|8500&nbsp;BCE]] during the [[Stone Age]] as the ice shield of the [[last ice age]] receded. The artifacts the first settlers left behind present characteristics that are shared with those found in for example Estonia, Russia and Norway.<ref>[http://herkules.oulu.fi/isbn9514281411/isbn9514281411.pdf PEOPLE, MATERIAL CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT IN THE NORTH] Proceedings of the 22nd Nordic Archaeological Conference, University of Oulu, 18-23 August 2004 Edited by Vesa-Pekka Herva GUMMERUS KIRJAPAINO </ref> The earliest people were [[hunter-gatherer]]s, using stone tools. There is also evidence of carved stone animal heads.<ref name="VF-Pre">Dr. Pirjo Uino of the National Board of Antiquities for Virtual Finland - [http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=25918 Prehistory: The ice recedes — man arrives]. Accessed on June 24, 2008.</ref> The first pottery appeared in [[3rd millennium BCE|3000&nbsp;BCE]] when settlers from the East brought in the [[Pit-Comb Ware culture|Comb Ceramic culture]].<ref name="Hist-Fin-Geo">[http://www.geocities.com/ojoronen/EARLYFIN.HTM History of Finland and the Finnish People from ice age to WWII] Accessed on June 24, 2008.</ref> The arrival of the [[Corded Ware culture]] in southern coastal Finland between [[32nd century BCE|3,000–2,500 BCE]] coincided with the start of agriculture.<ref name="Virt-Mino">Professor Frank Horn of the Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law University of Lappland writing for Virtual Finland on [http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=26470 National Minorities of Finland]. Accessed on June 24, 2008.</ref> Even with the introduction of agriculture, hunting and fishing continued to be important parts of the subsistence economy, especially in the northern and eastern parts of the country.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}

The [[Bronze Age]] (1500&ndash;500&nbsp;BCE) and [[Iron Age]] (500&nbsp;BCE&ndash;1200&nbsp;CE) were characterised by extensive contacts with other cultures in the [[Fennoscandia]]n and [[Baltic region]]s. There is no consensus on when [[Finno-Ugric languages]] and [[Indo-European languages]] were first spoken in the area of contemporary Finland.

The first verifiable written documents appeared in the 12th century.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}

===Swedish era (1249 - 1809)===
[[Image:Sweden in 1658.PNG|thumb|[[Sweden]] in 1658.]]

Swedish speaking settlers arrived in the coastal regions during the medieval time. Swedish kings [[Second Swedish Crusade|established their rule]] in 1249{{Fact|date=November 2008}}. [[Finland Swedish|Swedish]] became the dominant language of the nobility, administration and education; [[Finnish language|Finnish]] was chiefly a language for the [[peasant]]ry, [[clergy]] and local [[court]]s in predominantly Finnish-speaking areas. The [[Bishop of Turku]] was the most socially pre-eminent person in Finland before the Reformation.

During the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]], the Finns gradually converted to [[Lutheranism]]. In the 16th century, [[Mikael Agricola]] published the first written works in Finnish. The first university in Finland, [[The Royal Academy of Turku]], was established in 1640. Finland suffered a severe [[famine]] in 1696-1697 and almost one third of the population died.<ref>[http://www.europe-cities.com/en/657/finland/history/chronology/ History of Finland. Finland chronology]</ref> In the 18th century, wars between Sweden and Russia led to the occupation of Finland twice by Russian forces, known to the [[Finnish people|Finns]] as the [[Great Northern War|Greater Wrath]] (1714&ndash;1721) and the [[Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743)|Lesser Wrath]] (1742&ndash;1743). By this time ''Finland'' was the predominant term for the whole area from the [[Gulf of Bothnia]] to the Russian border.

===Russian Empire era===
{{main|Grand Duchy of Finland}}
{{seealso|Finland's language strife|Russification of Finland}}
On March 29, 1809, after being conquered by the armies of [[Alexander I of Russia]] in the [[Finnish War]], Finland became an autonomous [[Grand Duchy of Finland|Grand Duchy]] in the [[Russian Empire]] until the end of 1917. During the Russian era, the Finnish language started to gain recognition. From the 1860s onwards, a strong Finnish [[ethnic nationalism|nationalist movement]], known as the [[fennoman|Fennoman movement]], grew. Milestones included the publication of what would become Finland's [[national epic]], the ''[[Kalevala]]'', in 1835, and the Finnish language achieving equal legal status with Swedish in 1892.

The [[Finnish famine of 1866-1868|Finnish famine of 1866–1868]] killed 15 percent of the population, making it one the last famines in European history. The famine led the Russian Empire to ease financial regulations, and investment rose in following decades. Economic and political development was rapid.<ref name="equity">[http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTRANETSOCIALDEVELOPMENT/Resources/finland.pdf Growth and Equity in Finland], [[World Bank]]</ref> The GDP per capita was still a half of United States and a third of Great Britain.<ref name="equity"/>

In 1906, [[universal suffrage]] was adopted in the Grand Duchy of Finland. However, the relationship between the Grand Duchy and the Russian Empire soured when the Russian government made moves to restrict Finnish [[Autonomous area|autonomy]]. For example, the universal suffrage was, in practice, virtually meaningless, since the emperor did not have to approve any of the laws adopted by the Finnish parliament. Desire for independence gained ground, first among radical liberals<ref>Mickelsson, Rauli. Suomen puolueet - Historia, muutos ja nykypäivä. Vastapaino 2007.</ref> and socialists.

===Civil war and early independence===
====The road to civil war and independence====
{{main|Finland's declaration of independence|Finnish Civil War}}
[[Image:Ven tunnustaa Suomen itsenisyyden.png|thumb|left|150px|Soviet approval of Finland's independence in Russian.]] After the [[February Revolution]] the position of Finland as part of the Russian Empire was questioned, mainly by the [[social democrats]]. Since the head of state was the [[Czar]] of Russia, it was not clear who was the chief executive of Finland after the revolution. The parliament, controlled by social democrats, passed the so-called ''Power Law'', which would give the highest authority to the parliament. This was rejected by the [[Russian Provisional Government]] and by the right wing parties in Finland. The Provisional Government dissolved the parliament by force, which the social democrats considered illegal, since the right to do so was stripped from the Russians by the ''Power Law''.

New elections were conducted, in which right wing parties won a slim majority. Some social democrats refused to accept the result and still claimed that the dissolution of the parliament (and thus the ensuing elections) were extralegal. The two nearly equally powerful political blocs, the right wing parties and the social democratic party, were highly antagonized.

The [[October Revolution]] in Russia changed the game anew. Suddenly, the right wing parties in Finland started to reconsider their decision to block the transfer of highest executive power from the Russian government to Finland, as radical socialists took power in Russia. Rather than acknowledge the authority of the ''Power Law'' of a few months earlier, the right wing government [[Finland's declaration of independence|declared independence]].

==== The civil war ====
In 1918, months after the Russian October Revolution, the revolutionary wing of the [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]] staged a coup. They succeeded in controlling southern Finland and Helsinki, but the right wing government continued in exile from [[Vaasa]]. The stage was set for a brief but bitter [[Finnish Civil War|civil war]], which proved to be one of the bloodiest conflicts in modern European history. The [[White Guard (Finland)|Whites]], who were supported by [[German Empire|Imperial Germany]], prevailed over the [[Red Guards (Finland)|Reds]], supported by Bolshevist Russia. After the war tens of thousands of Reds and suspected sympathizers were interned in camps, where thousands died by execution or from malnutrition and disease. Deep social and political enmity was sown between the Reds and Whites that would last until the Winter War and beyond. The civil war and [[nationalist activism|activist]] expeditions (see [[Heimosodat]]) to the Soviet Union strained Eastern relations.

==== The new republic ====
After [[Kingdom of Finland (1918)|a brief flirtation with monarchy]], Finland became a presidential republic, with [[Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg]] elected as its first president in 1919. The Finnish&ndash;Russian border was determined by the [[Treaty of Tartu (Russian–Finnish)|Treaty of Tartu]] in 1920, largely following the historic border but granting [[Pechenga]] ({{lang-fi|Petsamo}}) and its [[Barents Sea]] harbour to Finland. Finnish democracy didn't see any more Soviet coup attempts and survived the anti-Communist [[Lapua Movement]]. The relationship between Finland and the [[Soviet Union]] was tense. Germany's relations with Finland were also not good. Military was trained in France instead and relations to Western Europe and Sweden were strengthened.

In 1917 the population was 3 million. Credit-based [[land reform]] was enacted after the civil war, increasing the proportion of capital-owning population.<ref name="equity"/> About 70% of workers were occupied in agriculture and 10% in industry.<ref>[http://www.stat.fi/tup/suomi90/helmikuu_en.html From slash-and-burn fields to post-industrial society - 90 years of change in industrial structure]</ref> The largest export markets were the United Kingdom and Germany. The [[Great Depression]] in the early 1930s was relatively light in Finland.

===World War II===
[[Image:Finnish areas ceded in 1944.png|thumb|upright|Areas ceded by Finland to the [[Soviet Union]] after the [[Winter War]] in 1940 and the [[Continuation War]] in 1944. The [[Porkkala]] land lease was returned to Finland in 1956.]]
{{main|Military history of Finland during World War II}}
During [[World War II]], Finland fought the [[Soviet Union]] twice: in the [[Winter War]] of 1939&ndash;40 after the Soviet Union had attacked Finland and in the [[Continuation War]] of 1941&ndash;44, following [[Operation Barbarossa]], in which Germany invaded the Soviet Union. For 872 days during World War II, German and Finnish armies [[Siege of Leningrad|besieged Leningrad]], the Soviet Union's second largest city.<ref>[http://it.stlawu.edu/~rkreuzer/pcavallerano/leningradweb.htm 900-Day Siege of Leningrad]</ref> Following German losses on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] and the subsequent Soviet advance, Finland was forced to make peace with the Soviet Union. This was followed by the [[Lapland War]] of 1944&ndash;45, when Finland forced the Germans out of northern Finland.

The treaties signed in 1947 and 1948 with the Soviet Union included Finnish obligations, restraints, and reparations as well as further Finnish territorial concessions (cf. the [[Moscow Peace Treaty (1940)|Moscow Peace Treaty of 1940]]). Finland ceded most of [[Finnish Karelia]], [[Salla]], and [[Pechenga]], which amounted to ten percent of its land area and twenty percent of its industrial capacity. [[Evacuation of Finnish Karelia|Some 400,000 evacuees]], mainly women [[Finnish war children|and children]], fled these areas.

Finland had to reject [[Marshall aid]]. However, the United States provided secret development aid and helped the still non-communist Social Democratic Party in hopes of preserving Finland's independence.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Hidden+help+from+across+the+Atlantic/1135223633788 Hidden help from across the Atlantic], Helsingin Sanomat</ref> Establishing trade with the Western powers, such as the [[United Kingdom]], and the reparations to the Soviet Union caused Finland to transform itself from a primarily [[Agriculture|agrarian]] economy to an [[Industrialisation|industrialised]] one. Even after the reparations had been paid off, Finland, which is poor in certain resources necessary for an industrialized nation (such as iron and oil), continued to trade with the Soviet Union in the framework of [[bilateral trade]].

===Cold War===
In 1950 half of the Finnish workers were occupied in agriculture and a third lived in urban areas.<ref name="populationdevelopment">[http://www.stat.fi/tup/suomi90/joulukuu_en.html Population development in independent Finland - greying Baby Boomers]</ref> The new jobs in manufacturing, services and trade quickly attracted people to the towns. The average number of births per woman declined from a [[baby boom]] peak of 3.5 in 1947 to 1.5 in 1973.<ref name="populationdevelopment"/> When baby boomers entered the workforce, the economy did not generate jobs fast enough and hundreds of thousands emigrated to the more industrialized Sweden, with emigration peaking in 1969 and 1970.<ref name="populationdevelopment"/> The [[1952 Summer Olympics]] brought international visitors. Finland took part in trade liberalization in the [[World Bank]], the [[International Monetary Fund]] and the [[General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade]]. [[Image:Kekkonen3.jpg|thumb|left|170px|[[Urho Kekkonen]], 8th President of Finland.]]

Officially claiming to be [[Neutral country|neutral]], Finland lay in the grey zone between the [[Western world|Western countries]] and the Soviet Union. The [[Finno-Soviet Treaty of 1948|YYA Treaty]] (Finno-Soviet Pact of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance) gave the Soviet Union some leverage in Finnish domestic politics. This was extensively exploited by President [[Urho Kekkonen]] against his opponents. He maintained an effective monopoly on Soviet relations from 1956 on, which was crucial for his continued popularity. In politics, there was a tendency of avoiding any policies and statements that could be interpreted as anti-Soviet. This phenomenon was given the name "[[Finlandization|Finlandisation]]" by the German press (fi. ''suomettuminen''). Self-censorship vis-à-vis anything negative associated with the Soviet Union was prevalent in the media. Public libraries pulled from circulation thousands of books that were considered anti-Soviet, and the law made it possible for the authorities to directly censor movies with supposedly anti-Soviet content. Asylum-seeking Soviet citizens were frequently returned to the Soviet Union by the Finnish authorities.

Despite close relations with the Soviet Union, Finland remained a Western European market economy. Various industries benefited from trade privileges with the Soviets, which explains the widespread support that pro-Soviet policies enjoyed among business interests in Finland. Economic growth was rapid in the postwar era, and by 1975 Finland's GDP per capita was the 15th highest in the world. In the 1970s and 1980s, Finland built one of the most extensive [[welfare state]]s in the world. Finland also negotiated a treaty with the [[European Economic Community|EEC]] (a predecessor of the European Union) that mostly abolished customs duties towards the EEC starting from 1977, although Finland did not fully join. In 1981, President [[Urho Kekkonen]]'s failing health forced him to retire after holding office for 25 years.

Miscalculated macroeconomic decisions, a banking crisis, the collapse of a primary trading partner (the Soviet Union) and a global economic downturn caused a deep recession in Finland in the early 1990s. The depression bottomed out in 1993, and Finland has seen steady economic growth ever since.

===Recent history===
[[Image:European flag in the wind.jpg|thumb|Since 1995 Finland is a member state of the [[European Union]].]]
Like other Nordic countries, Finland has liberalized its economy since the late 1980s. Financial and product market regulation was loosened. Some state enterprises have been privatized and there have been some modest tax cuts. Finland joined the [[European Union]] in 1995, and the [[Eurozone]] in 1999.

The population is aging with the [[List of countries by birth rate|birth rate]] at 10.42 births per 1,000 population, or a [[fertility rate]] of 1.8.<ref name="populationdevelopment"/> With a median age of 41.6 years, Finland is one of the oldest countries;<ref>[http://www.globalhealthfacts.org/topic.jsp?i=61 Median Age (Years) - GlobalHealthFacts.org<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> half of voters are estimated to be over 50 years old. Like most European countries, without further reforms or much higher immigration, Finland is expected to struggle with demographics, even though macroeconomic projections are healthier than in most other developed countries.

==Etymology==
The name ''Suomi'' ([[Finnish language|Finnish]] for "Finland") has uncertain origins but a strong candidate for a cognate is the Proto-Baltic word ''*zeme,'' meaning "land". In addition to the close relatives of Finnish (the [[Baltic-Finnic languages]]), this name is also used in the [[Baltic languages]] [[Latvian language|Latvian]] and [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]]. According to an earlier theory the name was derived from ''suomaa'' ([[fen]] land) or ''suoniemi'' (fen cape).

The [[Exonym and endonym|exonym]] ''Finland'' has resemblance with, e.g., the [[North Germanic languages|Scandinavian]] placenames [[Finnmark]], [[Finnveden]] and hundreds of other toponyms starting with ''Fin(n)'' in Sweden and Norway. Some of these names are obviously derived from ''finnr'', a Germanic word for a wanderer/finder and thus supposedly meaning nomadic "[[hunter-gatherer]]s" or [[slash and burn]] agriculturists as opposed to the Germanic sedentary farmers and seafaring traders and pirates. The term "Finn" often refers to [[Sami people]], too. ''Finn'' started referring to the people of [[Finland Proper]] after the 15th century, when the church appointed a bishop &mdash; who became one of the most powerful men in the province &mdash; over the whole area corresponding roughly to today's Finland. The fact there was no other ecclesiastical authority of the same level, coupled with the Bishop's temporal authority, engendered a sense of "the Finns" belonging to one geographical area over which the name spread from the 15th century onwards to refer to the people of the entire country.

Among the first documents to mention "a land of the Finns" are two rune-stones. There is one in [[Söderby, Sweden]], with the inscription ''finlont'' ([[Baltic expeditions runestones#U 582|U 582]]) and one in [[Gotland]], a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea, with the inscription ''finlandi'' ([[Baltic expeditions runestones#G 319|G 319]]), dating from the 11th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narc.fi/Arkistolaitos/eng/ |title=National Archives Service, Finland (in English) |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref>

==Geography and environment==
{{main|Geography of Finland}}
{{seealso|List of cities and towns in Finland|List of lakes in Finland|List of national parks of Finland}}

===Topography and geology===
[[Image:Finland 1996 CIA map.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Detailed map of Finland.<!-- it is a work of the US government: therefore, it is freely usable--> See also [[:commons:Atlas of Finland|atlas of Finland]]]]
[[Image:Isokuru.JPG|thumb|right|[[Pyhä-Luosto National Park]], [[Lapland Province|Lapland]].]]
[[Image:Syote National Park.jpg|thumb|right|[[Syöte National Park]], [[Lapland]].]]
Finland is a country of thousands of lakes and islands – 187,888 lakes (larger than 500 m²) and 179,584 islands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/index_en.html |title=Statistics Finland |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref> One of these lakes, [[Saimaa]], is the fifth largest in [[Europe]]. The Finnish landscape is mostly flat with few hills, and its highest point, the [[Halti]] at 1,324 metres, is found in the extreme north of [[Lapland Province|Lapland]] at the border between Finland and [[Norway]].

The landscape is covered mostly (seventy-five percent of land area) by coniferous [[taiga]] forests and [[fen]]s, with little [[arable land]]. The most common type of rock is [[granite]]. It is a ubiquitous part of the scenery, visible wherever there is no soil cover. [[Moraine]] or [[till]] is the most common type of soil, covered by a thin layer of [[humus]] of biological origin. [[Podzol]] profile development is seen in most forest soils except where drainage is poor. [[Gleysol]]s and [[peat bog]]s occupy poorly drained areas. The greater part of the islands are found in the southwest in the [[Archipelago Sea]], part of the [[archipelago]] of the [[Åland Islands]], and along the southern coast in the [[Gulf of Finland]].

Finland is one of the few countries in the world whose surface area is still growing. Owing to the [[post-glacial rebound]] that has been taking place since the last [[ice age]], the surface area of the country is growing by about {{km2 to mi2|num=7|abbr=no|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} a year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fimr.fi/en/tutkimus/fysikaalinen-tutkimus/vedenkorkeuden-vaihteluiden-ajalliset-muutokset.html |title=Trends in sea level variability |work=Finnish Institute of Marine Research |date=2004-08-24 |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref>

The distance from the most Southern point – [[Hanko]] – to the most northern point of Finland – [[Nuorgam]] – is {{km to mi|num=1445|abbr=no|spell=Commonwealth|precision=0|wiki=yes}} (driving distance), which would take approximately 18.5 hours to drive. This is very similar to Great Britain ([[Land's End]] to [[John o' Groats]] – {{km to mi|num=1404|abbr=no|spell=Commonwealth|precision=0|wiki=no}} and 16.5 h).

===Flora and fauna===
[[Image:Keskuspuisto.jpg|thumb|237px|spruce Forest in the southern finland.]][[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], Finland is shared between the Arctic, Central European and Northern European provinces of the [[Circumboreal Region]] within the [[Boreal Kingdom]]. According to the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]], the territory of Finland can be subdivided into three [[ecoregion]]s: the [[Scandinavian and Russian taiga]], [[Sarmatic mixed forests]] and [[Scandinavian Montane Birch forest and grasslands]]. Actual [[tundra]] with permafrost is not found in Finland except for a narrow area in the extreme north. Similarly, temperate broadleaf mixed forests, with oak, elm, hazel and maple growing in the wild, are found only in the narrow area extreme south.

All terrestrial life in Finland was completely wiped out during the last [[ice age]] that ended some 10,000 years ago, following the retreat of the glaciers and the appearance of vegetation.

Today, there are over 1,200 species of [[vascular plant]], 800 [[bryophyte]]s and 1,000 [[lichen]] species in Finland, with flora being richest in the southern parts of the country. Plant life, like most of the Finnish [[ecology]], is well adapted to tolerate the contrasting seasons and extreme weather. Many plant species, such as the [[Scots Pine]], [[spruce]], and [[birch]], spread throughout Finland from [[Norway]] and only reached the western coast less than three millennia ago.

[[Image:Cygnus cygnus from zh.JPG|thumb|The [[Whooper Swan]], national bird of Finland]] Similarly, Finland has a diverse and extensive range of fauna. There are at least sixty native [[mammal]]ian species, 248 breeding bird species, over seventy fish species and eleven reptile and frog species present today, many migrating from neighbouring countries thousands of years ago.

Large and widely recognised wildlife mammals found in Finland are the [[Brown Bear]] (the national animal), [[Gray Wolf]], [[Moose|elk]] (moose) and [[reindeer]]. Other common mammals include the [[Red Fox]], [[Red Squirrel]], and [[Mountain Hare]]. Some rare and exotic species include the [[Siberian Flying Squirrel|flying squirrel]], [[Golden Eagle]], [[Saimaa Ringed Seal]] and [[Arctic fox]]. Two of the more striking birds are the [[Whooper Swan]], a large European swan and the national bird of Finland, and the [[Capercaillie]], a large, black-plumaged member of the [[grouse]] family. The latter is considered an indicator of [[old-growth forest]] connectivity, and has been declining due to landscape fragmentation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://herkules.oulu.fi/isbn9514259904/html/x288.html|title=Nutritional and genetic adaptation of galliform birds: implications for hand-rearing and restocking|work = Oulu University Library (2000)|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> The most common breeding birds are the [[Willow Warbler]], [[Chaffinch]] and [[Redwing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.birdlife.fi/lintuharrastus/faq-muut.shtml#pesimalinnut |title=BirdLife Finland |work=BirdLife International (2004) Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status. Cambridge, UK. (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 12) |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref> Of some seventy species of freshwater fish, the [[northern pike]], [[perch]] and others are plentiful. [[Atlantic salmon]] remains the favorite of [[Fly fishing|fly rod]] enthusiasts.

The endangered Saimaa Ringed Seal, one of only three lake seal species in the world, exists only in the [[Saimaa]] lake system of southeastern Finland, down to only 300 seals today. It has become the emblem of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=25721 |title=Saimaa ringed seal |work=Virtual Finland ([[Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland]]) |accessdate=2007-03-20}}</ref>

Due to hunting and persecution in history, many animals such as the [[Golden Eagle]], [[Brown Bear]] and [[Eurasian Lynx]] all experienced significant declines in population. However, their numbers have increased again in the 2000s, mainly as a result of careful conservation and the establishment of vast [[List of national parks of Finland|national parks]].

===Climate===
[[Image:Viinikkala.jpg|thumb|300px|left| The Finnish climate is suitable for grain farming in the southernmost regions, but not further north]]The [[climate]] in Southern Finland is a northern [[Temperate|temperate climate]]. In Northern Finland, particularly in the [[Lapland Province|Province of Lapland]], a [[subarctic climate]] dominates, characterised by cold, occasionally severe, winters and relatively warm summers. The main factor influencing Finland's climate is the country's geographical position between the 60th and 70th northern parallels in the [[Eurasia]]n continent's coastal zone, which shows characteristics of both a [[Oceanic climate|maritime]] and a [[continental climate]], depending on the direction of air flow. Finland is near enough to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to be continuously warmed by the [[Gulf Stream]], which explains the unusually warm climate considering the absolute [[latitude]].

A quarter of Finland's territory lies above the [[Arctic Circle]], and as a consequence the [[midnight sun]] can be experienced – for more days, the farther north one travels. At Finland's northernmost point, the sun does not set for 73 consecutive days during summer, and does not rise at all for 51 days during winter.

==Demographics==
<div style="font-size: 80%">
{|class="wikitable" align=right border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 10pt; margin-right: 1pt"
!colspan=4|Population of Finland, 1750–2000<ref>{{cite book | last=Aunesluoma | first=Juhana | coauthors=Heikkonen, Esko; Ojakoski, Matti | title=Lukiolaisen yhteiskuntatieto | language=Finnish | publisher=[[SanomaWSOY|WSOY]] | date=2006}}</ref>
|-
!Year!!Population!!Year!!Population
|-
||1750||align=right|421,000||1880||align=right|2,060,800
|-
||1760||align=right|491,000||1890||align=right|2,380,100
|-
||1770||align=right|561,000||1900||align=right|2,655,900
|-
||1780||align=right|663,000||1910||align=right|2,943,400
|-
||1790||align=right|705,600||1920||align=right|3,147,600
|-
||1800||align=right|832,700||1930||align=right|3,462,700
|-
||1810||align=right|863,300||1940||align=right|3,695,617
|-
||1820||align=right|1,177,500||1950||align=right|4,029,803
|-
||1830||align=right|1,372,100||1960||align=right|4,446,222
|-
||1840||align=right|1,445,600||1970||align=right|4,598,336
|-
||1850||align=right|1,636,900||1980||align=right|4,787,778
|-
||1860||align=right|1,746,700||1990||align=right|4,998,478
|-
||1870||align=right|1,768,800||2000||align=right|5,181,000
|}
</div>
{{main|Demographics of Finland}}
===Population===
Finland currently numbers 5,238,460 inhabitants and has an average population density of 17 inhabitants per [[square kilometre]].<ref name="Population clock"/> This makes it, after [[Norway]] and [[Iceland]], the most sparsely populated country in [[Europe]]. Finland's population has always been concentrated in the southern parts of the country, a phenomenon even more pronounced after 20th century [[urbanization|urbanisation]]. The biggest and most important cities in Finland are the cities of the [[Greater Helsinki]] [[metropolitan area]] – [[Helsinki]], [[Espoo]] and [[Vantaa]]. Other large cities include [[Tampere]], [[Turku]] and [[Oulu]].

The share of foreign citizens in Finland is 2.5 percent<ref name="Foreigners">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html#Foreigners |title=Population (Foreigners in Finland) |work=Statistics Finland |accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> being among the lowest of the European Union countries. Most of them are from Russia, Estonia and Sweden.<ref name="Foreigners"/>

===Language===
{{main|Finnish language|Finland Swedish|Languages of Finland}}
{{seealso|Finnish alphabet|Finnish grammar|Finnish phonology}}

Most of the [[Finnish people]] (92 percent)<ref name="Population">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/tup/vaesto/index_en.html |title=Population |work=Statistics Finland |accessdate=2007-05-07}}</ref> speak Finnish as their mother tongue. Finnish is a member of the [[Baltic-Finnic languages|Baltic-Finnic subgroup]] of the [[Uralic languages]] and is [[morphological typology|typologically]] between [[inflected]] and [[agglutinative language]]s. It modifies and [[inflection|inflects]] the forms of [[noun]]s, [[adjective]]s, [[pronoun]]s, [[numeral]]s and [[verb]]s, depending on their roles in the sentence. In practice, this means that instead of [[preposition]]s and [[Prefix (linguistics)|prefixes]] there is a great variety of different [[suffix]]es and that [[Compound (linguistics)|compounds]] form a considerable percentage of the vocabulary of Finnish. It has been estimated that approximately 65–70 percent of all words in Finnish are compounds.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mikkola |first=Anne-Maria |coauthors=Koskela, Lasse; Haapamäki-Niemi, Heljä; Julin, Anita; Kauppinen, Anneli; Nuolijärvi, Pirkko; Valkonen, Kaija |title=Äidinkieli ja kirjallisuus – käsikirja |edition=1st Edition |year=2004 |language=Finnish |publisher=[[SanomaWSOY|WSOY]] |isbn=951-0-26300-1 |pages=90 pages}}</ref> A close linguistic relative to the Finnish language is [[Estonian language|Estonian]], which, though similar in many aspects, is not mutually intelligible with it. These languages, together with [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] (all members of the [[Uralic language family]]), are the primary non-[[Indo-European languages]] spoken in Europe. Finland, together with [[Estonia]] and [[Hungary]], is one of three independent countries where a [[Uralic languages|Uralic]] language is spoken by the majority.

The largest minority language is [[Finland-Swedish|Swedish]], which is the second official language of the state of Finland, spoken by 5.5 percent of the population.<ref name="Population">{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/tup/vaesto/index.html |title=Väestötilastot |work=Väestö |accessdate=2007-05-07}}</ref> Other minority languages are [[Russian language|Russian]] (0.8 percent),<ref name="Population" /> [[Estonian language|Estonian]] (0.3 percent),<ref name="Population" /> [[Kalo Finnish Romany language|Finnish Romani]], and [[Finnish Sign Language]] (spoken as a first language by 4,000–5,000 people).<ref>[http://www.kotus.fi/index.phtml?l=sv&s=206 Forskningscentralen för de inhemska språken :: Teckenspråk<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> To the north, in [[Lapland Province|Lapland]], are also the [[Sami people]], numbering around 7,000<ref>According to the Finnish Population Registry Center and the Finnish Sami parliament, the Sami population living in Finland was 7,371 in 2003. See [http://www.samediggi.fi/vanha/suomi/toimieli/vaali/lukumaara_vuoden_2003_vaaleissa.pdf Regional division of Sami people in Finland by age in 2003] (in Finnish).</ref> and recognized as an [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous people]]. About a quarter of them speak a [[Sami language]] as their mother tongue.<ref name="Population 2006-12-31"/> There are three Sami languages that are spoken in Finland: [[Northern Sami]], [[Inari Sami]] and [[Skolt Sami]].<ref>Unofficial names for Finland in Sami languages are: ''Suopma'' ([[Northern Sami]]), ''Suomâ'' ([[Inari Sami]]) and ''Lää´ddjânnam'' ([[Skolt Sami]]). See [http://www.geonames.de/coufi.html].</ref> The right of the minority groups (in particular [[Sami]], [[Swedish-speaking Finns]] and [[Romani people]]) to cherish their culture and language is protected by the constitution.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf |title=The Constitution of Finland, 17 § and 121 § |work=FINLEX Data Bank |accessdate=2007-09-04|format=PDF}}</ref>

In a 2005 [[Eurobarometer]] survey studying [[languages of the European Union]], 60% percent of adult residents claimed to know [[English language|English]], 38% claimed to know [[Swedish language|Swedish]] (as a second language), and 17% claimed to know [[German language|German]].<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_237.en.pdf Europeans and languages], 2005</ref> Ranking those claiming a knowledge of English, Finland ranked fifth behind Malta, the Netherlands (86%), Sweden (85%), and Denmark (83%). Relatively many Finns knew German, while relatively few knew French or Spanish.

===Religion===
{{main|Religion in Finland|Finnish paganism|Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Finnish Orthodox Church}}
{{seealso|Roman Catholicism in Finland|Judaism in Finland|Islam in Finland|Hinduism in Finland|Finnish Neopaganism}}
[[Image:Vihkimistilaisuus Kiuruveden kirkossa.JPG|thumb|A wedding ceremony in [[Kiuruvesi]].]]
Most Finns are members of the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]] (81.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/Kirkosta+erosi+taas+enn%C3%A4tysm%C3%A4%C3%A4r%C3%A4/1135232958952 | title=Kirkosta erosi taas ennätysmäärä | date=2008-01-02 | work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] | accessdate=2008-07-31}}</ref> With approximately 4.6 million members, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is one of the largest Lutheran churches in the world. A minority belong to the [[Finnish Orthodox Church]] (1.1 percent; see [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]). Other [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations and the [[Roman Catholic Church]] in Finland are significantly smaller, as are the [[Islam|Muslim]], [[Judaism|Jewish]] and other non-Christian communities (totaling 1.2 percent). 15.9 percent<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html |title=Finland in Figures |work=Statistics Finland |accessdate=2008-07-31}}</ref> of the population has no religious affiliation.

Historically, in the prehistoric, ancient and early mediaeval periods of Finnish history, [[Finnish paganism]] was the majority religion. It has been revived recently through the form of [[Finnish neopaganism]].

The main Lutheran and Orthodox churches are constitutional [[national churches]] of Finland with special roles such as in state ceremonies and schools. A university degree in theology is compulsory for Lutheran priests. Representatives at Lutheran Church assemblies are selected in church elections every four years.

Over half of Finns say they pray at least once a month, the highest proportion in Nordics.<ref>Restoring the Image. By Andrew Walker, Martyn Percy, David Martin. Published in 2001.</ref> Most children are baptized and have confirmation at the age of 15. Nearly all funerals are Christian. Religious television programmes and radio broadcasts are popular.<ref>{{Citation
|url=http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=25811
|title=Churches and religion
|author=Kimmo Kääriäinen
|publisher=[http://virtual.finland.fi/ Virtual Finland]
|accessdate=2008-08-25}}, "Religious television programmes and radio broadcasts are watched or listened to by a great number of Finns."</ref> However, the majority of Lutherans attend church only for special occasions like Christmas ceremonies, weddings and funerals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2004/35453.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2004 |work=[[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]] |date=2004-09-15 |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref> According to a 2005 [[Eurobarometer]] poll, 41 percent of Finnish citizens responded that "they believe there is a god"; 41 percent answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force"; and 16 percent that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force".<ref name=EUROBAROMETER>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|title=Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 - page 11|accessdate=2007-05-05|format=PDF}}</ref>

===Family structure===
Finnish family life is centered on the [[nuclear family]]. Relations with the [[extended family]] are often rather distant, and Finnish people do not form politically significant clans, tribes or similar structures. According to [[United Nations Children's Fund|UNICEF]], Finland ranks fourth in the world in child well-being.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/13_02_07_nn_unicef.pdf |title=Child poverty in perspective: An overview of child weill-being in rich countries |work=[[United Nations Children's Fund|UNICEF]] [[United Nations Children's Fund#The UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre|Innocenti Research Centre]] |format=[[PDF]] |accessdate=2007-02-14}}</ref>

===Health===
There are 307 residents for each doctor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_terveys_en.html |title=Health (2004) |work=Statistics Finland |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref> About 18.9 percent of health care is funded directly by households and 76.6 percent by public and other insurances. Finland limits medicine sales to the around 800 licensed pharmacies. Some significant institutions include Ministry of Health and [[National Public Health Institute of Finland|National Public Health Institute]].

In a comparison of 16 countries by ''Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions'', Finland used the least resources and got average result, making Finland the most efficient according to the study's authors.<ref>[http://brs.skl.se/brsbibl/kata_documents/doc39255_1.pdf Svensk sjukvård i internationell jämförelse 2008 (in Swedish)]</ref>

The [[life expectancy]] is 82 years for women and 75 years for men. After having one of the highest death rates from [[heart disease]] in the world in the 1970s, improvements in the [[Cuisine of Finland|Finnish diet]] and exercise have paid off. Finland has exceptionally low smoking rates: 26% for males and 19% for females.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/befit/story/0,15652,1385645,00.html |title=Fat to fit: how Finland did it |work=[[Guardian Unlimited]] |date=2005-01-15 |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref>

Finland's health problems are similar to other developed countries: circulatory diseases make up about half of all causes of death and [[cancer]] is the second most common cause of death.<ref>[http://www.euro.who.int/document/e74071.pdf Health Care in Finland], Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 2004</ref>

The total annual consumption of pure alcohol by residents is lower than other European countries, even though heavy drinking is common at parties on the weekend. However, becoming intoxicated has remained the central characteristic of Finnish drinking habits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paihdelinkki.fi/Articles/111-alcohol-use-in-finland |title=Alcohol use in Finland |work=National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (Stakes) |date=2005 |accessdate=2008-04-18}}</ref> In the working-age population, diseases or accidents caused by alcohol consumption have recently surpassed coronary artery disease as the biggest single cause of death.<ref>[http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/haku.php?action=page&id=264733 YLE Uutiset<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Schools teach sports, health and hands-on cooking classes. Finnish schoolchildren have one of the lowest amounts of sport classes in the European Union and according to National Public Health Institute only a third of adults exercise enough.<ref name="kunto">[http://www.eva.fi/files/1986_miehet_kuntoon.pdf Miehet kuntoon! Kansalaiskunnon lasku ja korjaavat toimenpiteet]</ref>
National Public Health Institute claims 54% male obesity and 38% female obesity, while other estimates put obesity rates at 70% and 50%.<ref name="kunto"/> The rate of [[diabetes]] is predicted to grow to 15% by 2015.<ref name="kunto"/> Finland has the world's highest rate of [[Type I diabetes]]. Suicide mortality in Finland has generally been one of the highest in Europe, especially significant among males under 35 years.

==Administrative divisions==
{{main|Administrative divisions of Finland}}
{{main|Provinces of Finland|Historical provinces of Finland}}
{{main|Regions of Finland|Sub-regions of Finland|Municipalities of Finland}}
The largest subdivisions are the [[Provinces of Finland|six administrative provinces]] ''(lääni, [[plural|pl.]] läänit)'', which mainly function as divisions of the state organisation,<ref>[http://siteresources.worldbank.org/PSGLP/Resources/LocalGovernanceinIndustrial.pdf Local Governance in Industrial Countries - ISBN 082136328X<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> i.e. police, prosecutors, and other state services operate under their administration. After 1997 reforms the provinces have been [[Southern Finland]], [[Western Finland]], [[Eastern Finland]], [[Oulu Province|Oulu]], [[Lapland Province|Lapland]], [[Åland]]. The province of [[Åland|Åland Islands]] is [[Self-governance|autonomous]].

[[Image:Finnish municipalities 2007.png|thumb|[[Municipalities of Finland|Municipalities]] and [[Regions of Finland|regions]] map of Finland (2007).<br/>Black borders refer to municipalities, red to regions.]]
The fundamental administrative divisions of the country are the municipalities, which may also call themselves towns or cities. They account for half of public spending. Spending is financed by municipal income tax, state subsidies, and other revenue. As of 2008, there are 415 municipalities and most have less than 5,000 residents. People often identify with their municipality.

In addition to municipalities, two intermediate levels are defined. Municipalities co-operate in seventy-four [[Sub-regions of Finland|sub-regions]] and twenty [[regions of Finland|regions]]. These are governed by the member municipalities, but have only limited powers. The [[Åland]] region has a permanent, democratically elected regional council as a part of the autonomy. In the [[Kainuu]] region, there is a pilot project underway, with regional elections. [[Sami people]] have a semi-autonomous [[Sami Domicile Area]] in [[Lapland Province|Lapland]] for issues on language and culture.

In the following chart, the number of inhabitants includes those living in the entire [[municipality]] (''kunta/kommun''), not just in the built-up area. The land area is given in km², and the density in inhabitants per km² (land area). The figures are as of January 1, 2007. Notice that the [[capital region]] &ndash; comprising [[Helsinki]], [[Vantaa]], [[Espoo]] and [[Kauniainen]] (see [[Greater Helsinki]]) &ndash; forms a continuous [[conurbation]] of one million people. However, common administration is limited to voluntary cooperation of all municipalities, e.g. in [[Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council]].
<!--Note that these numbers are from the Finnish Wikipedia, where these numbers are kept more up to date.-->
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
! Municipality !! Population !! Land area !! Density</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Helsinki]]''' || '''{{Nts|570848}}''' || {{Nts|184.47}} || {{Nts|3061.00}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Espoo]]''' || '''{{Nts|239645}}''' || {{Nts|312.00}} || {{Nts|751.60}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Tampere]]''' || '''{{Nts|207836}}''' || {{Nts|523.40}} || {{Nts|393.90}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Vantaa]]''' || '''{{Nts|193738}}''' || {{Nts|240.54}} || {{Nts|780.40}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Turku]]''' || '''{{Nts|175058}}''' || {{Nts|243.40}} || {{Nts|720.50}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Oulu]]''' || '''{{Nts|131984}}''' || {{Nts|369.43}} || {{Nts|351.40}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Lahti]]''' || '''{{Nts|99594}}''' || {{Nts|134.95}} || {{Nts|730.10}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Kuopio]]''' || '''{{Nts|91099}}''' || {{Nts|1127.40}} || {{Nts|81.00}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Jyväskylä]]''' || '''{{Nts|85312}}''' || {{Nts|105.90}} || {{Nts|789.00}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Pori]]''' || '''{{Nts|76306}}''' || {{Nts|503.17}} || {{Nts|150.83}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Lappeenranta]]''' || '''{{Nts|59323}}''' || {{Nts|758.00}} || {{Nts|77.70}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Rovaniemi]]''' || '''{{Nts|58866}}''' || {{Nts|7600.73}} || {{Nts|7.60}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Vaasa]]''' || '''{{Nts|57919}}''' || {{Nts|183.00}} || {{Nts|311.20}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Joensuu]]''' || '''{{Nts|57495}}''' || {{Nts|1173.40}} || {{Nts|49.10}}</tr>
|align="left"| '''[[Kotka]]''' || '''{{Nts|54631}}''' || {{Nts|270.74}} || {{Nts|203.00}}</tr>
|}
:''Further information: [[List of Finnish municipalities]], [[List of Finnish municipalities by population]], [[List of Finnish municipalities by area]], and [[Former municipalities of Finland]]''

==Politics and government==
{{main|Politics of Finland}}
{{seealso|List of political parties in Finland}}
[[Image:Eduskuntatalo (Finnish Parliament building).JPG|thumb|[[Eduskuntatalo]], the main building of the [[Parliament of Finland]] (Eduskunta) in [[Helsinki]].]]

The [[Constitution of Finland]] defines the political system. Finland is a representative democracy with a [[semi-presidential]] [[parliamentary system]]. Aside from state-level politics, residents use their vote in municipal elections and in the [[Elections in the European Union|European Union elections]].

According to the Constitution, the [[President of Finland|President]] is the [[head of state]] and responsible for [[Foreign relations of Finland|foreign policy]] (which excludes affairs related to the [[European Union]]) in cooperation with the [[cabinet]]. Other powers include [[Commander-in-Chief]], decree, and appointive powers. Direct vote is used to elect the president for a term of six years and maximum two consecutive terms. The current president is [[Tarja Halonen]] (SDP).

The 200-member [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Parliament of Finland]] exercises the supreme legislative authority in Finland. The parliament may alter laws, the constitution, bring about the resignation of the Council of State, and override presidential [[veto]]es. Its acts are not subject to judicial review. Various parliament committees listen to experts and prepare legislation. Proportional vote in multi-seat constituencies is used to elect the parliament for a term of four years. [[Speakers of the Parliament of Finland|The Speaker of Parliament]] is currently [[Sauli Niinistö]] (National Coalition Party). The cabinet (the [[Finnish Council of State]]) exercises most executive powers. It is headed by the [[Prime Minister of Finland]] and includes other ministers and the [[Chancellor of Justice#Finland|Chancellor of Justice]]. Parliament majority decides its composition and a vote of no confidence can be used to modify it. The current prime minister is [[Matti Vanhanen]] (Centre Party).

Since [[Universal suffrage|equal and common suffrage]] was introduced in 1906, the parliament has been dominated by the [[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]] (former Agrarian Union), [[National Coalition Party (Finland)|National Coalition Party]], and [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democrats]], which have approximately equal support, and represent 65–80 percent of voters. After 1944 [[Communist Party of Finland|Communists]] were a factor to consider for a few decades. The relative strengths of the parties vary only slightly in the elections due to the proportional election from multi-member districts, but there are some visible long-term trends. The autonomous Åland islands has separate elections, where [[Liberals for Åland]] was the largest party in [[Åland legislative election, 2007|2007 elections]].

After the [[Finnish parliamentary election, 2007|parliamentary elections on March 18, 2007]], the seats were divided among eight parties as follows:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! Party !! Seats !! Net Gain/Loss !! % of seats !! % of votes
|-
|align="left"| [[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]]
| 51 || &nbsp;&nbsp;–4 {{decrease}} || 25.5 || 23.1
|-
|align="left"| [[National Coalition Party (Finland)|National Coalition Party]]
| 50 || +10 {{increase}} || 25.0 || 22.3
|-
|align="left"| [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]]
| 45 || &nbsp;&nbsp;–8 {{decrease}} || 22.5 || 21.4
|-
|align="left"| [[Left Alliance (Finland)|Left Alliance]]
| 17 || &nbsp;&nbsp;–2 {{decrease}} || 8.5 || 8.8
|-
|align="left"| [[Green League]]
| 14 || &nbsp;&nbsp;+1 {{increase}} || 7.5 || 8.5
|-
|align="left"| [[Swedish People's Party (Finland)|Swedish People's Party]]
| 9 || &nbsp;&nbsp;+1 {{increase}} || 4.5 || 4.5
|-
|align="left"| [[Christian Democrats (Finland)|Christian Democrats]]
| 7 || &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0 {{steady}} || 3.5 || 4.9
|-
|align="left"| [[True Finns]]
| 5 || &nbsp;&nbsp;+2 {{increase}} || 2.5 || 4.1
|-
|align="left"| Others
| &nbsp;1* || &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0 {{steady}} || 0.5 || 2.4
|}
{{smaller|* Province of [[Åland]] representative.}}

===Law and court===
[[Image:Mounted police officer in Helsinki Finland.jpg|thumb|A mounted police officer in Helsinki.]]
The [[judicial system of Finland]] is a [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] system divided between [[court]]s with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and [[administrative court]]s with jurisdiction over litigation between the individuals and the public administration. Finnish law is codified and based on Swedish law and in a wider sense, civil law or [[Roman law]]. The court system for civil and criminal jurisdiction consists of local courts (''käräjäoikeus''), regional appellate courts (''hovioikeus''), and the [[Judicial system of Finland#Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] (''korkein oikeus''). The administrative branch of justice consists of administrative courts (''hallinto-oikeus'') and the [[Judicial system of Finland#Supreme Administrative Court|Supreme Administrative Court]] (''korkein hallinto-oikeus''). In addition to the regular courts, there are a few special courts in certain branches of administration. There is also a [[Judicial system of Finland#High Court of Impeachment|High Court of Impeachment]] for criminal charges against certain high-ranking officeholders.

The abovementioned local court of first instance (''käräjäoikeus'') for civil and criminal cases consists of professional judges, or, in complex cases, 1&mdash;2 professional judges and 3&mdash;4 lay judges (''lautamies'') appointed by municipal councils. Administrative courts, appellate courts and supreme courts consist of professional judges only. Like the [[Netherlands]] and the [[United Kingdom]], Finland has no constitutional court, and courts may not strike down laws or pronounce on their constitutionality. In principle, the constitutionality of laws in Finland is verified by [[Parliament of Finland|parliament]]'s constitutional law committee and a simple vote in the parliament.

Around 92% of residents are confident in Finland's security institutions.<ref name="corruptionpolicing">Policing corruption, International Perspectives.</ref> [[Crime in Finland]] has some unique features. The overall crime rate of Finland is not high in the [[EU]] context. Some crime types are above average, notably the highest [[homicide]] rate in Western Europe.<ref name="eucrime">[http://www.gallup-europe.be/downloads/EUICS%20-%20The%20Burden%20of%20Crime%20in%20the%20EU.pdf The Burden of Crime in the EU. Research Report: A Comparative Analysis of the European Crime and Safety Survey (EU ICS) 2005]</ref> Crime is prevalent among lower educational groups and is often committed by intoxicated persons. A [[day fine]] system is in effect and also applied to offences such as speeding. Jail sentences tend to be among the world's lowest, with an official emphasis on rehabilitation.

Finland has successfully fought against the corruption which was larger in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref name="corruption">The History of Corruption in Central Government By Seppo Tiihonen, International Institute of Administrative Sciences</ref> For instance, economic reforms and EU membership introduced stricter requirements for open bidding and many public monopolies were abolished.<ref name="corruption"/> Today Finland has a very low number of corruption charges; [[Transparency International]] ranks Finland as one of the least corrupted countries. Also, Finland's public records are among the world's most transparent.

Finland has strict [[libel]] standards, and in one case a blogger was convicted for [[incitement to ethnic or racial hatred|incitement to hatred]] when referring to statistics about an ethnic group.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} The voluntary [[Internet censorship#Finland|Internet censorship list]], similar to other [[Nordic countries]], is classified "nominal" censorship by the [[OpenNet Initiative|ONI]]. <!--See talk page concerning removed Sentence Length material-->

===Foreign relations===
{{main|Foreign relations of Finland}}

According to the latest constitution of 2000, the President (currently [[Tarja Halonen]]) leads foreign policy in cooperation with the government (currently Prime Minister [[Matti Vanhanen]] and Foreign Minister [[Alexander Stubb]]), except that the government leads EU affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements the foreign policy.

During the Cold War, Finland conducted its foreign policy in association with the Soviet Union and simultaneously stressed Nordic cooperation (as a member of the [[Nordic Council]]). After the [[History of the Soviet Union (1985-1991)#Yeltsin and the dissolution of the USSR|collapse of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, Finland freed itself from the last restrictions imposed on it by the [[Paris Peace Treaties, 1947|Paris peace treaties of 1947]] and the Finno-Soviet [[Finno-Soviet Treaty of 1948|Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance]]. Although opposed by socialists and agrarians, the government filed an EU membership application three months after the dissolution of the USSR and became a member in 1995. Finland did not attempt to join NATO, even though other post-Soviet countries in the Baltic sea and elsewhere joined. Nevertheless, defense policymakers have quietly converted to NATO equipment and contributed troops.

President [[Martti Ahtisaari]] and the coalition governments led Finland closer to the core EU in the late 1990s. Finland was considered a cooperative model state, and Finland did not oppose proposals for a common EU defence policy.<ref name="foreignpolicyidea"/> This was reversed in the 2000s, when [[Tarja Halonen]] and [[Erkki Tuomioja]] made Finland's official policy to resist other EU members' plans for common defense.<ref name="foreignpolicyidea">[http://www.eva.fi/files/2170_suomen_ulkopolitiikan_idea_.pdf "Finland's foreign policy idea"] ("Suomen ulkopolitiikan idea"), [[Risto E. J. Penttilä]], 2008</ref> However, Halonen allowed Finland to join [[European Union Battlegroups]] in 2006 and the [[NATO Response Force]] in 2008. Relations with most countries except Russia have been good.

Relations with Russia are cordial and common issues include bureaucracy (particularly at the [[Vaalimaa]] border crossing), airspace violations, development aid Finland gives to Russia (especially in environmental problems that affect Finland), and Finland's energy dependency on Russian gas and electricity. Behind the scenes, the administration has witnessed a resurrection of Soviet-era tactics. The National Security Agency, [[SUPO]], estimates that the known number of Russian agents from [[Foreign Intelligence Service (Russia)|SVR]] and [[GRU]] now exceeds Cold War levels and there are unknown numbers of others.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Helsinki+again+a+centre+of+international+espionage+/1101981712514 Helsinki again a centre of international espionage]</ref>

==Military==
[[Image:DSCF078.jpg|thumb|right|[[Finnish Air Force]] [[F/A-18]].]]
[[Image:Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank (Finland).JPG|thumb|right|A [[Finnish Army]] [[Leopard 2]] [[main battle tank]].]]
{{main|Finnish Defence Forces|Military history of Finland}}
{{see also|List of Finnish wars}}

The Finnish Defence Forces consists of a [[En cadre|cadre]] of professional soldiers (mainly officers and technical personnel), currently serving conscripts and a large reserve. The standard readiness strength is 34,700 people in uniform, of which 25% are professional soldiers. A universal male [[conscription]] is in place, under which all men above 18 years of age serve for 6 to 12 months of armed service or 12 months of civilian (non-armed) service. Alternative [[Conscientious objector|non-military service]] and volunteer service by women (chosen by around 500 annually)<ref><[http://www.mil.fi/varusmies/naisten_vapaaehtoinen_asepalvelus.dsp Women's voluntary service] (in Finnish)</ref> are possible. Finland is the only non-NATO EU country bordering Russia. Finland's official policy states that the 350,000 reservists with mostly ground weaponry are a sufficient deterrent.

The Finnish Defense Forces favor partnership with Western institutions such as the [[NATO]], [[WEU]] and [[EU]], but are careful to avoid politics.<ref>Hägglund, Gustav. Leijona ja kyyhky.</ref> Finland's defence budget equals about 2 billion euro or 1.4–1.6 percent of the [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. In international comparisons the defense expenditure is around the third highest in the EU.<ref>[http://www.stat.fi/artikkelit/2007/art_2007-06-01_005.html Työvoimakustannukset puuttuvat puolustusmenoista] , Statistics Finland (in Finnish): Eurostat ranking is 6th. It's 3rd when conscription is accounted.</ref> The voluntary overseas service is highly popular and troops serve around the world in UN, NATO and EU missions. Residents claim around 80% homeland defense willingness, one of the highest rates in Europe.<ref name="jane">[http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jwar/jwara154.html Jane's World Armies: Finland]</ref> The Finnish Defence Forces are under the command of the [[Chief of Defence (Finland)|Chief of Defence]] (currently [[Juhani Kaskeala]]), who is directly subordinate to the [[President of Finland|President of the Republic]] in matters related to the military command. The military branches are the [[Finnish Army]], [[Finnish Navy]] and [[Finnish Air Force]]. The [[Finnish Border Guard|Border Guard]] is under the Ministry of the Interior but can be incorporated into the Defence Forces when required by defence readiness.

==Economy==
[[Image:Fi real gdp growth.svg|thumb|Real GDP growth, 1998–2007.]]
{{main|Economy of Finland}}
{{seealso|List of Finnish companies|Helsinki Stock Exchange}}

Finland has a highly industrialized free-market economy with a [[per capita]] output equal to that of other western economies such as [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Sweden]] or the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. The largest sector of the economy is services at 65.7 percent, followed by manufacturing and refining at 31.4 percent. [[Primary production (economics)|Primary production]] is at 2.9 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_kansantalous_en.html |title=Finland in Figures – National Accounts |work=Statistics Finland |accessdate=2007-04-26}}</ref> With respect to [[International trade|foreign trade]], the key economic sector is [[manufacturing]]. The largest industries<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_teollisuus_en.html |title=Finland in Figures – Manufacturing |work=Statistics Finland |accessdate=2007-04-26}}</ref> are [[electronics]] (21.6 percent), machinery, vehicles and other engineered metal products (21.1 percent), forest industry (13.1 percent), and chemicals (10.9 percent). Finland has [[timber]] and several mineral and freshwater resources. [[Forestry]], paper factories, and the [[Agriculture|agricultural sector]] (on which taxpayers spend around 3 billion euro annually) are politically sensitive to rural residents. The [[Greater Helsinki]] area generates around a third of [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. In a 2004 OECD comparison, high-technology manufacturing in Finland ranked second largest after Ireland. Knowledge-intensive services have also ranked the smallest and slow-growth sectors – especially agriculture and low-technology manufacturing – second largest after Ireland.<ref name="oecd2004">Finland Economy 2004, OECD</ref> Overall short-term outlook was good and GDP growth has been above many EU peers. Inflation has been low, averaging 1.8 percent between 2004 and 2006.

Finland is highly integrated in the global economy, and international trade is a third of GDP. The European Union makes 60 percent of the total trade. The largest trade flows are with Germany, [[Russia]], Sweden, United Kingdom, [[United States|USA]], [[Netherlands]] and [[China]]. Trade policy is managed by the European Union, where Finland has traditionally been among the free trade supporters, except for agriculture. Finland is the only Nordic country to have joined the [[Eurozone]].

[[Image:Aleksanterinkatu Helsinki summer.jpg|thumb|left|[[Aleksanterinkatu]], a commercial street.]]
The 40 largest Finland-registered companies by turnover in 2007 or 2006 were ([[Osakeyhtiö|Oy and Oyj]] abbreviations removed): [[Nokia Oyj|Nokia]], [[Stora Enso]], [[Neste Oil]], [[UPM-Kymmene]], [[Kesko]], [[SOK|Suomen Osuuskauppojen Keskuskunta]], [[Metsäliitto]], [[Outokumpu]], [[Metso]], [[Tamro]], [[Fortum]], [[Sampo Group|Sampo]], [[Kone]], [[Elcoteq]], [[Rautaruukki]], [[Wärtsilä]], [[YIT]], [[Varma]], [[Cargotec]], [[SanomaWSOY]], [[Kemira]], [[Ilmarinen|Ilmarinen Keskinäinen Eläkevakuutusyhtiö]], [[TeliaSonera|TeliaSonera Finland]], [[Luvata International]] (former Outokumpu Copper), [[Huhtamäki]], [[Finnair]], [[Lemminkäinen]], [[HKScan]], [[Onvest]], [[RTF Auto]], [[TietoEnator]], [[Ahlstrom]], [[Konecranes]], [[Valio]], [[ABB Group|ABB]], [[Itella]], [[Amer Sports]], [[Teboil]], [[Elisa Oyj|Elisa]], and [[Myllykoski]].<ref>[http://www.largestcompanies.com/default$/cc-FI/lev2-TopList/lev2Desc-The_largest_companies_in_the_Nordic_countries_by%A0turnover%A0%28excl._national_subsidiaries%29/AdPageId-102/list-2/ Top list: The largest companies in the Nordic countries by turnover (excl. national subsidiaries): Finland]</ref>

Private sector employees amount to 1.8 million, out of which around a third with tertiary education. The average cost of a private sector employee per hour was 25.1 euro in 2004.<ref>[http://www.stat.fi/til/tvtutk/2004/tvtutk_2004_2006-09-15_tie_001.html Tehdyn työtunnin hinta 23-27 euroa], Statistics Finland</ref> As of 2008 average purchasing power-adjusted income levels are similar to those of Italy, Sweden, Germany, and France.<ref name="incomecomparison">[http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/artikkelit/2008/art_2008-06-09_001.html Suomalaisten tulot Euroopan keskitasoa. Hyvinvointipalvelut eivät paranna sijoitusta]</ref> In 2006, 62% of the workforce worked for enterprises with less than 250 employees and they accounted for 49% of total business turnover and had the strongest rate of growth growth.<ref>[http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=895:small-enterprises-grow-faster-than-the-big-ones&catid=33:general&Itemid=201 Small enterprises grow faster than the big ones]</ref> The female employment rate is high. Gender segregation between male-dominated professions and female-dominated professions is higher than in the US.<ref name="niels">The Nordic Model of Welfare: A Historical Reappraisal, by Niels Finn Christiansen</ref> The proportion of part-time workers was one of the lowest in OECD in 1999.<ref name="niels"/>

[[Image:Euro banknotes.png|thumb| In 2002 Finland introduced the single European currency, the [[euro]]. With 14 other EU member states it forms the [[Eurozone]].]]

Employment rate 68% and unemployment rate was 6.8% in early 2008.<ref>[http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_tyoelama_en.html Statistics Finland: Labour Market]</ref> 18% of residents are outside job market at the age of 50 and less than a third working at the age of 61.<ref>[http://www.oecd.org/document/9/0,3343,en_2649_34747_28023113_1_1_1_1,00.html OECD recommends Finland to do more to help older people stay in work]</ref> Unfunded pensions and other promises such as health insurances are a dominate future liability, though Finland is much better prepared than countries such as [[France]] or [[Germany]].<ref name="ikääntyminen">[http://www.vnk.fi/julkaisukansio/2007/j10-ikaantymisen-taloudelliset-vaikutukset/pdf/fi.pdf Ikääntymisen taloudelliset vaikutukset ja niihin varautuminen]</ref> Directly held [[public debt]] has been reduced to around 32 percent of GDP in 2007.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2186rank.html CIA Factbook: Public Debt]</ref> In 2007, the average household savings rate was -3.8 and [[household debt]] 101 percent of annual disposable income, a typical level in Europe.<ref>[http://www.taloussanomat.fi/omatalous/2008/02/29/Kotitalouksien+velkaantumisaste+yli+sadan+prosentin/20086262/322?rss=4] (in Finnish)</ref> [[Home ownership]] rate is 60%.

As of 2006, 2.4 million households reside in Finland. The average size is 2.1 persons; 40 percent of households consist of a single person, 32 percent two persons and 28 percent three or more persons. Residential buildings total 1.2 million and the average residential space is 38 square metres per person. The average residential property without land costs 1,187 euro per sq metre and residential land 8.6 euro per sq metre. 74 percent of households had a car. There are 2.5 million cars and 0.4 other vehicles.<ref>[http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_liikenne_en.html Statistics Finland: Transport and Tourism]</ref>
Around 92 percent has mobile phone and 58 percent [[List of countries by number of Internet users|Internet connection at home]]. The average total household consumption was 20,000 euro, out of which housing at around 5500 euro, transport at around 3000 euro, food and beverages excluding alcoholic at around 2500 euro, recreation and culture at around 2000 euro.<ref>[http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/til/ktutk/2006/ktutk_2006_2007-12-19_tie_001_en.html Own-account worker households' consumption has grown most in 2001-2006]</ref> Purchasing power-adjusted average household consumption is about the same level as it is in Germany, Sweden and Italy.<ref name="incomecomparison"/> According to Invest in Finland, private consumption grew by 3% in 2006 and consumer trends included durables, high quality products, and spending on well-being.<ref>[http://www.investinfinland.fi/industries/trade_and_services/en_GB/Retail_TradeAndServices/ Retail growth best in Finland for five years], Invest in Finland</ref>

===Education and science===
{{main|Education in Finland}}
{{seealso|List of universities in Finland}}
[[Image:Helsinki University of Technology auditorium.jpg|thumb|right|Auditorium in the [[Helsinki University of Technology]]'s main building, designed by [[Alvar Aalto]].]]
<!-- Copy-Paste from [[Education in Finland]] article -->
Most pre-tertiary education is arranged at municipal level. Even though many or most schools were started as private schools, today only around 3% students are enrolled in private schools (mostly Helsinki-based schools such as [[Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu|SYK]]), many times less than in Sweden and most other developed countries.<ref>[http://www.eurydice.org/ressources/Eurydice/pdf/047DN/047_NL_EN.pdf Summary sheets on education systems in Europe<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Pre-school education is rare compared to other EU countries. Formal education is usually started at the age of 7. The primary school takes normally 6 years, the lower secondary school 3 years, and most schools are managed by municipal officials. The flexible curriculum is set by the Ministry of Education and the Education Board. Attendance is compulsory between the ages of 7 and 16. According to [[Programme for International Student Assessment|PISA]] assessments of the age group 15, Finnish students had a high average score and a low variation among schools and students.<ref>PISA 2006 Science Competencies for Tomorrow’s World, Volume 1 – Analysis</ref> McKinsey has attributed the result distribution to high teacher education (Master's degree), high continuing teacher training, and emphasis on laggards.<ref>"What works in education", McKinsey</ref> After lower secondary school, graduates may either enter the workforce directly, or apply to trade schools or gymnasiums. [[Vocational school|Trade school]]s prepare for professions. Academically oriented [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]]s have higher entrance requirements and specifically prepare for [[Abitur]] and tertiary education. Graduation from either formally qualifies for tertiary education.

In tertiary education, two, mostly separate and non-interoperating sectors are found: the profession-oriented polytechnics and the research-oriented [[University|universities]]. Finns used to take student loans and scholarships, but for the past decades the financial risk has been moved solely to the government. There are 20 universities and 30 polytechnics in the country. The [[World Economic Forum]] ranks Finland's tertiary education #1 in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weforum.org/en/fp/gcr_2006-07_highlights/index.htm |title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2006–2007: Country Highlights |work=[[World Economic Forum]] |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref> Around 33% of residents has a tertiary degree, similar to Nordics and more than in most other OECD countries except Canada (44%), United States (38%) and Japan(37%).<ref>[https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/artikkelit/2006/art_2006-07-06_001.html Tilastokeskus - Artikkelit - Tasa-arvoinen suomineito, osa 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The proportion of foreign students is 3% of all tertiary enrolments, one of the lowest in OECD, while in advanced programs it is 7.3%, still below OECD average 16.5%.<ref>[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/24/52/39315711.pdf Education at Glance 2007: Finland], [[OECD]]</ref>

More than 30% of tertiary graduates are in science-related fields. Finnish researchers are leading contributors to such fields as forest improvement, new materials, the environment, neural networks, low-temperature physics, brain research, biotechnology, genetic technology and communications.<ref name="innovation">[http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=25818 A country that innovates], Virtual Finland</ref>

===Energy===
{{seealso|Nordic energy market}}
{{seealso|Nuclear power in Finland}}
[[Image:EPR OLK3 TVO fotomont 2 Vogelperspektive.jpg|thumb|left|[[Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant]] with two existing units. On the far left is a visualization of the third unit, which will be Finland's fifth nuclear reactor when completed in 2011.]]
Anyone can enter the free and largely privately owned [[Nordic energy market]] traded in [[Nord Pool]] exchange, which has provided competitive prices compared to other EU countries. As of 2007, Finland has roughly the lowest industrial electricity prices in the [[EU-15]] (equal to [[France]]).<ref>[http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=STRIND_ECOREF&root=STRIND_ECOREF/ecoref/er02b1 Electricity prices - industrial users]</ref>

In 2006, the energy market was around 90 terawatt hours and the peak demand around 15 [[gigawatt]]s in winter. This means that the [[List of countries by energy consumption per capita|energy consumption per capita]] is around 7.2 tons of oil equivalent per year. Industry and construction consumed 51% of total consumption, a relatively high figure reflecting Finland's industries.<ref>[http://www.stat.fi/til/ekul/2006/ekul_2006_2007-12-12_kuv_009_en.html Statistics Finland - Electricity consumption by sector 2006<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.stat.fi/til/ekul/2006/ekul_2006_2007-12-12_tie_001_en.html Statistics Finland - Total energy consumption increased clearly in 2006<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Finland's [[hydrocarbon]] resources are limited to [[peat]] and [[wood]], while neighboring [[Norway]] has oil and [[Estonia]] [[oil shale]]. Finland has little [[hydropower]] capacity compared to Sweden or Norway. Most energy demand is satisfied with [[fossil fuel]]s such as coal, oil and natural gas. Finland has four privately owned nuclear reactors producing 18 percent of the country's energy,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tilastokeskus.fi/tk/yr/yeenergiakuviot_en.pdf |title=Energy Consumption in 2001 |work=Statistics Finland |format=[[PDF]] |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref> one research reactor in [[Otaniemi]] campus, and the fifth [[AREVA]]-[[Siemens AG|Siemens]]-built reactor – the world's largest at 1600 [[Watt#Watts electrical and thermal|MWe]] and a focal point of Europe's nuclear industry – is scheduled to be operational by 2011. [[Renewable energy]] forms (industry-burned wood, consumer-burned wood, peat, industrial residue, garbage) make high 25 percent compared to the EU average 10 percent. A varying amount (5–17 percent) of electricity has been imported from Russia (at around 3 gigawatt power line capacity), Sweden and Norway. A new [[HVDC Russia-Finland|submarine power cable]] from Russia has been considered a [[national security]] issue and one permit application has already been rejected. Finland negotiated itself expensive Kyoto and EU emission terms. They are causing a sharp increase in energy prices and 1-2 billion euro annual cost, amplified by the aging and soon decommissioned production capacity.<ref>[http://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/200803127378774_uu.shtml Päästökaupasta voi tulla miljardilasku teollisuudelle]</ref> Energy companies are already ready to increase nuclear power production, if parliament granted permits for new reactors.<ref>[http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Finland_to_decide_on_new_nuclear_reactors_in_2010_govt_999.html Finland to decide on new nuclear reactors in 2010: govt<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Transportation===
{{main|Transport in Finland}}
[[Image:Reindeer road block Kuusamo.jpg|thumb|Wild animals, chiefly [[moose]] and [[reindeer]], cause several thousand traffic accidents every year.]]
{{seealso|Highways in Finland|List of airports in Finland|Public transport in Helsinki}}
The extensive road system is utilized by most internal cargo and passenger traffic. As of 2005, the country's network of main roads has a total length of 13,258&nbsp;km and all public roads 78,186&nbsp;km, of which 50,616&nbsp;km are paved. The [[motorway]] network totals 653&nbsp;km. The annual road network expenditure of around 1 billion euro is paid with vehicle and fuel taxes which amount to around 1.5 billion euro and 1 billion euro.

The main international passenger gateway is [[Helsinki-Vantaa Airport]] with over 13 million passengers in 2007. [[Tampere-Pirkkala airport]] is the second largest and [[List of airports in Finland|around 25 airports]] have scheduled passenger services. The Helsinki-Vantaa based [[Finnair]], [[Blue1]] and [[Finncomm Airlines]] sell air services both domestically and internationally, and there are many others offering direct flights around the world. Helsinki has an optimal location for [[great circle]] routes between [[Western Europe]] and the [[Far East]]. Hence, many international travelers visit Helsinki on a stop-over between [[Asia]] and [[Europe]].

Despite low population density, taxpayers spend annually around 350 million euro in maintaining 5,865&nbsp;km railway tracks even to many rural towns. Only one rail company operates in Finland, [[VR Group]], which has 5 percent passenger market share (out of which 80 percent are urban trips in Greater Helsinki) and 25 percent cargo market share.<ref name="ljvr">[http://www.lvm.fi/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=lvm/cm/pub/showdoc.p?docid=2033&menuid=119 Transport and communications ministry - Rail]</ref> Helsinki has an urban rail network.

The majority of international cargo utilizes ports. Port logistics prices are low. [[Vuosaari harbour]] in Helsinki is the largest container port after completion in 2008 and others include [[Hamina]], [[Hanko]], [[Pori]], [[Rauma]], [[Oulu]]. There is passenger traffic from Helsinki and Turku, which have ferry connections to [[Tallinn]], [[Mariehamn]], [[Sweden]] and several other destination. The Helsinki-Tallinn route, one of the busiest passenger sea routes in the world, is also served by a helicopter line.

===Public policy===
{{seealso|Nordic model}}
Finnish politicians have often emulated other Nordics and the [[Nordic model]].<ref name="nordicmodel">[http://www.etla.fi/files/1892_the_nordic_model_complete.pdf The Nordic Model] by Torben M. Andersen, Bengt Holmström, Seppo Honkapohja,
Sixten Korkman, Hans Tson Söderström, Juhana Vartiainen</ref> Nordics have been free-trading and relatively welcoming to skilled migrants for over a century, though in Finland immigration is relatively new. The level of protection in commodity trade has been low, except for agricultural products.<ref name="nordicmodel"/>

Finland's judiciary is efficient and effective. Finland is highly open to investment and free trade. Finland has top levels of economic freedom in many areas, although there is a heavy tax burden and inflexible job market. Finland is ranked 16th (ninth in Europe) in the 2008 [[Index of Economic Freedom]].<ref name="economicfreedom">[http://www.heritage.org/index/country.cfm?ID=Finland Economic freedom: Finland]</ref> Recently, Finland has topped the patents per capita statistics, and overall productivity growth has been strong in areas such as electronics. While the manufacturing sector is thriving, OECD points out that the service sector would benefit substantially from policy improvements.<ref>[http://www.kilpailuvirasto.fi/cgi-bin/suomi.cgi?sivu=uut/u-2005-3-1 Kilpailuvirasto: OECD:n raportti suosittelee kilpailun lisäämistä palvelualoilla<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Finland is one of the most [[balanced budget|fiscally responsible]] EU countries.

[[International Institute for Management Development|IMD]] World Competitiveness Yearbook 2007 ranked Finland 17th most [[competitiveness|competitive]].<ref>[http://www.imd.ch/research/publications/wcy/announcing.cfm World Competitiveness Yearbook 2007]</ref> The [[World Economic Forum]] 2008 index ranked Finland the 6th most competitive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Global%20Competitiveness%20Report/index.htm|title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008|publisher=[[World Economic Forum]]|accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> In both indicises, Finland's performance was next to Germany, and significantly higher than most European countries. In the Business competitiveness index 2007-08 Finland ranked third in the world.

Economists attribute much growth to reforms in the product markets. According to OECD, only four [[EU-15]] countries have less regulated [[product market]]s (UK, Ireland, Denmark and Sweden) and only one has less regulated [[financial market]]s (Denmark). Nordic countries were pioneers in liberalizing energy, postal, and other markets in Europe.<ref name="nordicmodel"/> The legal system is clear and business bureaucracy less than most countries.<ref name="freedom">[http://www.heritage.org/index/country.cfm?id=Finland Finland economy]</ref> Property rights are well protected and contractual agreements are strictly honored.<ref name="economicfreedom"/> Finland is rated one of the least corrupted countries in [[Corruption Perceptions Index]]. Finland is rated 13th in the [[Ease of Doing Business Index]]. It indicates exceptional ease to trade across borders (5th), enforce contracts (7th), and close a business (5th), and exceptional hardship to employ workers (127th) and pay taxes (83rd).<ref>[http://www.doingbusiness.org/economyrankings/ Economy Rankings], Doing Business Report 2008, [[World Bank]]</ref>

Finnish job market regulation is a remaining example of Nordic [[corporatism|neocorporatist]] model. In the 1990s, Denmark liberalized its job market, Sweden moved to more flexible decentralized contracts, and Finnish trade unions blocked most reforms. Finnish law forces all workers to obey the national contracts that are drafted every few years for each profession and seniority level. The agreement becomes universally enforceable provided that more than 50% of the employees support it, in practice by being a member of a relevant trade union. The unionization rate is high (70%), especially in the middle class ([[AKAVA]] - 80%). A lack of a national agreement in an industry is considered an exception. More flexibility is generally recommended by economists for various reasons.<ref name="oecd2004"/><ref name="nordicmodel"/>

Overall taxation has been reduced to nearly 10 percentage points lower level than in Sweden, but it is still nearly 10 percentage points higher than in Germany. The middle income worker receives only 40% of his income after the median [[tax wedge]]<ref name="nordicmodel"/> and [[effective marginal tax rate]]s are high.<ref name="oecd2004">Economic Survey of Finland in 2004, [[OECD]]</ref> [[Value-added tax]] is 22 percent for most items. [[Capital gains tax]] is 28% and [[corporate tax]] is 26 percent, about the EU median. [[Property tax]]es are low, but there is a [[stamp duty]] of 4% for home sellers.<ref name="oecd2004"/> For instance, McKinsey estimates that a worker has to pay around 1600 euro for another worker's 400 euro service when both workers' taxes are counted.<ref>[http://www.mckinsey.com/locations/helsinki/pdf/finlands_economy_achievements_challenges_priorities.pdf McKinsey: Finland's Economy]</ref> Tax cuts have been in every post-depression government's agenda and the overall tax burden is now around 43% of GDP compared to 51.1% in Sweden, 34.7% in [[Germany]], 33.5% in [[Canada]], and 30.5% in [[Ireland]].<ref>[http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_valtiontalous_en.html Government Finance]</ref>

Public consumption is 51.7% of GDP compared to 56.6% in Sweden, 46.9% in Germany, 39.3% in Canada, and 33.5% in [[Ireland]].<ref name="economicfreedom"/> Much of the taxes are spent on public sector employees, many of which are jobs-for-life and amount to 124,000 state employees and 430,000 municipal employees.<ref name="oecd2004"/> That is 113 per 1000 residents (over a quarter of workforce) compared to 74 in the US, 70 in Germany, and 42 in Japan (8% of workforce).<ref>[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20080421a1.html Is Japan's bureaucracy still living in the 17th century? | The Japan Times Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Economist Intelligence Unit]]'s ranking for Finland's [[e-readiness]] is high at 13th, compared to 1st for United States, 3rd for Sweden, 5th for Denmark, and 14th for Germany. Also, early and generous retirement schemes have contributed to high pension costs.<ref name="oecd2004"/> Social spending such as health or education is around OECD median.<ref name="oecd2004"/> Social transfers are also around OECD median. In 2001 Finland outsourced more than most Western European countries, although less than Sweden. Municipalities spend a half of taxes.

==Numismatics==
[[Image:Independent Finland 90 years 100euro Reverse.JPG|thumb|160px|[[Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Finland)#2007 coinage|The €100 90th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence commemorative coin]] minted in 2007.]]
{{main|Finnish euro coins}}
{{main|Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Finland)}}

In Finland, the [[euro]] was introduced in 2002. As a preparation for this date, the minting of the new euro coins started as early as 1999; this is why the first euro coins from Finland has the year 1999 on it, instead of 2002 like other countries of the [[Eurozone]]. Three different designs (one for €2 coin, one for €1 coin and one for the other six coins) where selected for the Finnish coins. In 2007, in order to adopt the new common map like the rest of the Eurozone countries, Finland changed the common side of their coins.

Finland also has a rich collection of collectors' coins, with face value ranging from 5 to 100 euro. These coins are a legacy of an old national practice of minting silver and gold commemorative coins. Unlike normal issues, these coins are not legal tender in all the eurozone; for instance, a €5 Finnish commemorative coin cannot be used in any other country.

==Tourism==
[[Image:Silja Symphony.jpg|thumb|right|The [[M/S Silja Symphony|M/S ''Silja Symphony'']] leaving from Helsinki. [[Baltic Sea cruiseferries|Cruises]] are a popular tourist activity throughout Finland.]]
{{main|Tourism in Finland}}
In 2005, Finnish [[tourism]] grossed over €6.7 billion with a five percent increase from the previous year. Much of the sudden growth can be attributed to the [[globalisation]] and [[modernisation]] of the country as well as a rise in positive publicity and awareness. There are many attractions in Finland which attracted over 4 million visitors in 2005.

The Finnish landscape is covered with thick [[pine]] forests, rolling hills and complemented with a labyrinth of lakes and [[inlet]]s. Much of Finland is pristine and virgin as it contains 35 national parks from the Southern shores of the [[Gulf of Finland]] to the high [[fell]]s of [[Lapland Province|Lapland]]. It is also an urbanised region with many cultural events and activities.

[[Baltic Sea cruiseferries|Commercial cruises]] between major coastal and port cities in the [[Baltic region]], including [[Helsinki]], [[Turku]], [[Tallinn]], [[Stockholm]] and [[Travemünde]], play a significant role in the local tourism industry. Finland is regarded as the home of Saint Nicholas or [[Santa Claus]], living in the northern [[Lapland Province|Lapland]] region. Above the [[Arctic Circle]], there is a [[polar night]], a period when the sun doesn't rise for days or weeks, or even months. [[Lapland Province|Lapland]], the extreme north of Finland, is so far north that the [[Aurora Borealis]], atmospheric [[fluorescence]], is seen regularly in winter.

Outdoor activities range from [[Nordic skiing]], [[golf]], [[fishing]], [[yachting]], lake cruises, [[hiking]], [[kayaking]] among many others. At Finland's northernmost point, in the heart of summer, the Sun does not completely set for 73 consecutive days. Wildlife is abundant in Finland. [[Bird-watching]] is popular for those fond of flying fauna, however [[hunting]] is also popular. [[Moose|Elk]], [[reindeer]] and [[hare]] are all common game in Finland. There are many [[:Category:Churches in Finland|churches]], [[:Category:Cathedrals in Finland|cathedrals]], [[:Category:Museums in Finland|museums]] and [[:Category:Castles in Finland|castles]]. [[Olavinlinna]] in [[Savonlinna]] hosts the annual [[Savonlinna Opera Festival]]. The capital city of Helsinki, on the other hand, is famous for its [[Grand Duchy of Finland|Grand Duchy]] era architecture, which resembles that of imperial [[St. Petersburg]].

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Finland}}
[[Image:Midsummer bonfire closeup.jpg|thumb|right|A Juhannus [[bonfire]] ("kokko") in Mäntsälä]]
Throughout Finland's prehistory and history, cultural contacts and influences have concurrently, or at varying times, come from all directions. As a result of Swedish and Russian rule, cultural influences are still notable. Today, cultural influences from [[United States|North America]] are prominent. Into the [[21st century|twenty-first century]], many Finns have contacted cultures from distantly abroad, such as with those in [[Asia]] and [[Africa]]. Beyond tourism, Finnish youth in particular have been increasing their contact with peoples from outside Finland by travelling abroad to both work and study. [[Image:Savusauna.jpg|thumb|left|A lakeside [[smoke sauna]] ("savusauna") in Kannonkoski]]

One of the most traditional activities characterised by the Finnish culture is cottage life by a lake, often combined with going to sauna, swimming and barbecuing. Many Finns are emotionally connected to the countryside and nature, as urbanisation is a relatively recent phenomenon. The Finnish mentality is often characterised by less small talking and more honest and straight forward type of communication compared to other cultures. This is reflected in exceptionally powerful words in the Finnish language, such as the swear word "perkele".

There are still differences between regions, especially minor differences in accents and vocabulary. Minorities, such as the [[Sami people|Sami]], [[Swedish-speaking Finns|Finland Swedes]], [[Finnish Roma|Romani]], and [[Finnish Tatars|Tatar]], maintain their own cultural characteristics.

===Literature===
{{main|Finnish literature}}
[[Image:Mikael Agricola by Albert Edelfelt.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Mikael Agricola]].]]
Though Finnish written language could be said to exist since [[Mikael Agricola]] translated the [[New Testament]] into Finnish in the [[16th century|sixteenth century]] as a result of the [[Protestant Reformation]], few notable works of literature were written until the [[19th century|nineteenth century]], which saw the beginning of a Finnish national [[Romanticism|Romantic Movement]]. This prompted [[Elias Lönnrot]] to collect Finnish and [[Karelian]] folk poetry and arrange and publish them as ''[[Kalevala]]'', the Finnish [[national epic]]. The era saw a rise of poets and novelists who wrote in Finnish, notably [[Aleksis Kivi]] and [[Eino Leino]].

After Finland became independent there was a rise of modernist writers, most famously [[Mika Waltari]]. [[Frans Eemil Sillanpää]] was awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] in 1939 &ndash; so far the only one for a Finnish author. The [[World War II|second World War]] prompted a return to more national interests in comparison to a more international line of thought, characterized by [[Väinö Linna]]. Literature in modern Finland is in a healthy state, with detective stories enjoying a particular boom of popularity. [[Ilkka Remes]], a Finnish [[author]] of [[Thriller (genre)|thrillers]], is very popular.

===Visual arts===
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Aaltoarchitects.jpg|thumb|right|The architect couple [[Aino Aalto|Aino]] and [[Alvar Aalto]].]] -->
{{seealso|List of Finnish architects}}
Finns have made major contributions to [[handicraft]]s and [[industrial design]]. Finland's best-known sculptor of the twentieth century was [[Wäinö Aaltonen]], remembered for his monumental [[Bust (sculpture)|busts]] and [[sculpture]]s. Finnish architecture is famous around the world. Among the top of the twentieth century Finnish architects to win international recognition are [[Eliel Saarinen]] (designer of the widely recognised [[Helsinki Central railway station]] and many other public works) and his son [[Eero Saarinen]]. [[Alvar Aalto]], who helped bring the [[Functionalism (architecture)|functionalist architecture]] to Finland, is also famous for his work in [[furniture]] and [[glassware]].

===Music ===
{{main|Music of Finland}}

====Folk music====
Much of the music of Finland is influenced by traditional [[Karelia]]n melodies and lyrics, as comprised in the ''[[Kalevala]].'' Karelian culture is perceived as the purest expression of the [[Finnic peoples|Finnic]] myths and beliefs, less influenced by [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] influence, in contrast to Finland's position between [[Eastern world|the East]] and [[Western world|the West]]. Finnish [[folk music]] has undergone a [[roots revival]] in recent decades, and has become a part of [[popular music]].

'''Sami music'''
{{main|Sami music}}

The people of northern Finland, Sweden and Norway, the [[Sami people|Sami]], are known primarily for highly spiritual songs called [[Yoik|Joik]]. The same word sometimes refers to [[lavlu]] or [[vuelie]] songs, though this is technically incorrect.

====Classical and opera====
[[Image:Jean sibelius.jpg|thumb|upright|The Finnish [[composer]] [[Jean Sibelius]] (1865–1957), a significant figure in the history of [[European classical music|classical music]].]]
The first Finnish opera was written by the [[Germany|German]] composer [[Fredrik Pacius]] in 1852. Pacius also wrote [[Maamme|''Maamme/Vårt land'' (Our Land)]], Finland's [[national anthem]]. In the 1890s Finnish [[nationalism]] based on the ''Kalevala'' spread, and [[Jean Sibelius]] became famous for his vocal symphony ''[[Kullervo (Sibelius)|Kullervo]]''. He soon received a grant to study ''runo singers'' in Karelia and continued his rise as the first prominent Finnish musician. In 1899 he composed [[Finlandia (symphonic poem)|Finlandia]], which played its important role in Finland gaining independence. He remains one of Finland's most popular national figures and is a symbol of the nation.

Today, Finland has a very lively classical music scene. Finnish classical music has only existed for about a hundred years, and many of the important composers are still alive, such as [[Magnus Lindberg]], [[Kaija Saariaho]], [[Aulis Sallinen]], [[Uuno Klami]] and [[Einojuhani Rautavaara]]. The composers are accompanied with a large number of great conductors such as [[Sakari Oramo]], [[Mikko Franck]], [[Esa-Pekka Salonen]], [[Osmo Vänskä]], [[Jukka-Pekka Saraste]], [[Susanna Mälkki]] and [[Leif Segerstam]]. Some of the internationally acclaimed Finnish classical musicians are [[Karita Mattila]], [[Soile Isokoski]], [[Kari Kriikku]], [[Pekka Kuusisto]], [[Réka Szilvay]] and [[Linda Brava]].

====Popular music====
Modern Finnish popular music includes a number of prominent [[rock band]]s, [[jazz]] musicians, [[hip hop]] performers, and [[dance music]] acts such as [[Bomfunk MCs]] and [[Darude]]. Finnish [[electronic music]] such as the [[Sähkö Recordings]] record label enjoys underground acclaim. ''Iskelmä'' (coined directly from the German word ''[[Schlager]]'', meaning ''hit'') is a traditional Finnish word for a light popular song. Finnish popular music also includes various kinds of [[dance music]]; [[Tango music|tango]], a style of [[Music of Argentina|Argentine music]], is also popular. One of the most productive composers of popular music was [[Toivo Kärki]], and the most famous singer [[Olavi Virta]] (1915–1972). Among the lyricists, [[Sauvo Puhtila]] (born 1928), [[Reino Helismaa]] (died 1965) and [[Vexi Salmi|Veikko "Vexi" Salmi]] are the most remarkable authors. The composer and bandleader [[Jimi Tenor]] is well known for his brand of retro-funk music.
Finnish bands are also [[Apulanta]] (punkrock), [[Eppu Normaali]] (punk), [[Neljä Ruusua]], [[Suurlähettiläät]], [[Lauri Tähkä ja Elonkerjuu]], [[Klamydia]], [[Leevi and the Leavings]], [[Kaseva]] and so on.

====Dance music====
Notable Finnish dance and electronic music artists include [[Jori Hulkkonen]], [[Darude]], [[JS16]], [[DJ Proteus]] and [[Orkidea|DJ Orkidea]].

====Rock music====
{{Main|Finnish rock}}
[[Image:Apocalyptica1.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Apocalyptica]]'s [[Perttu Kivilaakso]] playing metal music live.]]
The Finnish rock-music scene emerged in 1960s with pioneers such as [[Blues Section]] and [[Kirka]]. In the 1970s Finnish rock musicians started to write their own music instead of translating international hits into Finnish. During the decade some [[progressive rock]] groups, such as [[Tasavallan Presidentti]] and [[Wigwam (progressive rock)|Wigwam]], gained respect abroad but failed to make a commercial breakthrough outside Finland. This was also the fate of the [[rock and roll]] group [[Hurriganes]]. The Finnish punk scene produced some internationally acknowledged names including [[Terveet Kädet]] in 1980s. [[Hanoi Rocks]] was a pioneering 1980s-[[glam rock]] act that left perhaps a deeper mark in the history of popular music than any other Finnish group, giving inspiration for [[Guns N' Roses]]. In the 90s the very popular band Nightwish was started in Kitee.

In the 2000s, other Finnish rock bands started to sell well internationally. [[The Rasmus]] became more known in Europe (and other places, like South America) in the 2000s. Their 2003 album ''[[Dead Letters]]'' sold 1.5 million units worldwide and garnered them eight gold and five platinum album [[Music recording sales certification|designations]]. But so far the most successful Finnish band in the United States has been [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]]; they were the first band from Finland to ever sell an album that was certified gold by the RIAA.

===Cinema===
{{main|Cinema of Finland}}
{{seealso|List of Finnish films}}
In [[film industry]], notable directors include [[Aki Kaurismäki]], [[Mauritz Stiller]] and [[Hollywood]] film director and producer [[Renny Harlin]].

===Media and communications===
{{seealso|Communications in Finland|List of newspapers in Finland|List of Finnish television stations}}
[[Image:Linus Torvalds.jpeg|thumb|upright|[[Linus Torvalds]], a famous Finnish [[Software engineering|software engineer]], best known for initiating the development of the [[Linux kernel|kernel]] of the [[Linux]] operating system.]]

Today there are 200 [[newspaper]]s; 320 popular [[magazine]]s, 2,100 professional magazines and 67 commercial [[radio station]]s, with one nationwide, five national [[Public broadcasting|public service radio channels]], three [[digital radio]] channels. Each year around twelve [[feature film]]s are made, 12,000 [[book]] titles published and 12 million records sold.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=27113 | title=The Finnish Media: outlets increase, audiences diversify |work=Virtual Finland ([[Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland]]) |accessdate=2007-01-22}}</ref>

[[SanomaWSOY]] publishes the newspaper [[Helsingin Sanomat]] (the circulation of 434,000 making it the largest newspaper), the [[tabloid]] [[Ilta-Sanomat]], the commerce-oriented [[Taloussanomat]], and the television channel [[Nelonen]]. The other major publisher [[Alma Media]] publishes over thirty magazines, including newspaper [[Aamulehti]], tabloid [[Iltalehti]] and commerce-oriented [[Kauppalehti]]. [[Finnish people|Finns]], along with other Nordic people and the [[Japanese people|Japanese]], spend the most time in the world reading newspapers. The National Broadcasting Company [[YLE]] has five television channels and 13 radio channels in two national languages. YLE is funded through a mandatory [[television license|license for television owners]] and fees for private broadcasters. All TV channels are broadcast [[digital television|digitally]], both terrestrially and on cable. The most popular television channel [[MTV3]] and the most popular radio channel [[Radio Nova (Finland)|Radio Nova]] are owned by Nordic Broadcasting ([[Bonnier Group|Bonnier]] and Proventus Industrier). International newspapers such as [[Aftonbladet]]{{Clarifyme|date=November 2008}} or [[Financial Times]] are available, but according to the sole importer the readership is only around 600,000 copies per year or around 2,000 on average day.<ref>[http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20011008IE6 Swedish tabloids most popular foreign newspapers in Helsinki], Helsingin Sanomat</ref>

Around 79 percent of the population use the [[Internet]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.fi/til/sutivi/2007/sutivi_2007_2007-09-28_tie_001_en.html | title=Internet used by 79 per cent of the population at the beginning of 2007 |work=Statistics Finland |accessdate=2007-12-22}}</ref> Finland had around 1.52 million [[Broadband Internet access|broadband]] Internet connections by the end of June 2007 or around 287 per 1,000 inhabitants.<ref name="FICORA">{{cite web |url=http://www.ficora.fi/attachments/englanti/5ruZDB5VP/Files/CurrentFile/Market_review_2_2007.pdf |title=Market Review 2/2007 |work=Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) |date=2007-08-31 |accessdate=2007-09-04|format=PDF}}</ref> All Finnish schools and public libraries have Internet connections and computers. Most residents have a mobile phone. It's used mostly for contact and value-added services are rare.<ref>[http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/ajk/tiedotteet/v2006/tiedote_017_2006-09-05_en.html Information technology has become part of Finns' everyday life], Statistics Finland</ref>

===Cuisine===
{{main|Cuisine of Finland}}
[[Image:Karjalanpiirakka-20060227.jpg|thumb|right|[[Karelian pasties|Karjalanpiirakka]], a traditional Finnish pastry.]]
Traditional Finnish [[cuisine]] is a combination of European, [[Fennoscandia]]n and Western Russian elements; table manners are European. The food is generally simple, fresh and healthy. [[Fish]], [[meat]], [[Berry|berries]] and ground [[vegetable]]s are typical ingredients whereas [[spice]]s are not common due to their historical unavailability. [[Image:Runebergintorttu.jpg|thumb|left|[[Runeberg's tart]].]] In years past, Finnish food often varied from region to region, most notably between the west and east. In coastal and lakeside villages, fish was a main feature of cooking, whereas in the eastern and also northern regions, vegetables and [[reindeer]] were more common. The prototypical breakfast is [[oatmeal]] or other continental-style foods such as [[bread]]. [[Lunch]] is usually a full warm meal, served by a [[Cafeteria|canteen]] at workplaces. [[Dinner]] is eaten at around 17.00 to 18.00 at home.

Modern Finnish cuisine combines country fare and [[haute cuisine]] with contemporary continental [[cooking]] style. Today, spices are a prominent ingredient in many modern Finnish [[recipes]], having been adopted from the east and west in recent decades.

===Public holidays===
{{main|Public holidays in Finland}}
{{seealso|Flag days in Finland}}
All official holidays in Finland are established by acts of [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]]. The official holidays can be divided into [[Christianity|Christian]] and secular holidays, although some of the Christian holidays have replaced holidays of pagan origin. The main Christian holidays are [[Christmas]], [[Epiphany (Christian)|Epiphany]], [[Easter]], [[Ascension of Jesus Christ|Ascension Day]], [[Pentecost]], and [[All Saints|All Saints Day]]. The secular holidays are [[New Year's Day]], [[May Day]], [[Midsummer|Midsummer Day]], and the [[Independence Day of Finland|Independence Day]]. Christmas is the most extensively celebrated holiday: usually at least 23rd to 26th of December are holidays.

In addition to this, all Sundays are official holidays, but they are not as important as the special holidays. The names of the Sundays follow the liturgical calendar and they can be categorised as Christian holidays. When the standard working week in Finland was reduced to 40 hours by an act of Parliament, it also meant that all Saturdays became a sort of de facto public holidays, though not official ones. Easter Sunday and Pentecost are Sundays that form part of a main holiday and they are preceded by a kind of special Saturdays. Retail stores are prohibited by law from doing business on Sundays, except during the summer months (May through August) and in the pre-Christmas season (November and December). Business locations that have less than 400 [[square metre]]s of floor space are allowed Sunday business throughout the year, with the exception of official holidays and certain Sundays, such as [[Mother's Day]] and [[Father's Day]].

===Sports===
{{main|Sport in Finland}}
[[Image:Kerho-Ilves.jpg|thumb|[[Ice hockey]] in Finland.]]
<!--Formula One World Drivers' Champions|World Champion]] [[Kimi Räikkönen]] celebrating victory at the [[2007 Brazilian Grand Prix]].]]-->
Various [[sport]]ing events are popular in Finland. [[Pesäpallo]] (reminiscent of [[baseball]]) is the national sport of Finland, although the most popular sports in Finland in terms of media coverage are [[Formula One]], [[rallying]], [[ice hockey]] and [[football (soccer)|football]]. Finland has won ice-hockey world championship only once in 1995 when the Finland-Sweden final ended 4-1 in their favour. [[Jari Kurri]] and [[Teemu Selänne]] are the two Finnish-born ice hockey players to have scored 500 goals in their [[National Hockey League|NHL]] careers. Another prominent NHL player from Finland is [[Miikka Kiprusoff]], the starting goaltender for the Calgary Flames. Miikka is regarded as one of the premier NHL goalies playing today. Football is also popular in Finland, though the [[Finland national football team|national football team]] has never qualified for a finals tournament of the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] or the [[UEFA European Football Championship|European Championships]]. [[Jari Litmanen]] and [[Sami Hyypiä]] are the most internationally renowned of the Finnish football players. [[Image:Paavo Nurmi (Antwerp 1920).jpg|thumb|left|[[Paavo Nurmi]] at the [[1920 Summer Olympics]]]]

Relative to its population, Finland has been a top country in the world in [[Auto racing|automobile racing]], measured by international success. Finland has produced three [[Formula One]] [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|World Champions]] – [[Keke Rosberg]] ([[WilliamsF1|Williams]], [[1982 Formula One season|1982]]), [[Mika Häkkinen]] ([[McLaren]], [[1998 Formula One season|1998]] and [[1999 Formula One season|1999]]) and [[Kimi Räikkönen]] ([[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]], [[2007 Formula One season|2007]]). Along with Räikkönen, the other Finnish Formula One driver currently active is [[Heikki Kovalainen]] ([[McLaren]]). Rosberg's son, [[Nico Rosberg]] ([[WilliamsF1|Williams]]), is also currently driving, but under his mother's [[Germans|German]] nationality. Other notable Finnish Grand Prix drivers include [[Leo Kinnunen]], [[Jyrki Järvilehto|JJ Lehto]] and [[Mika Salo]]. Finland has also produced most of the world's best [[Rallying|rally]] drivers, including the ex-[[World Rally Championship|WRC]] [[List of World Rally Championship Drivers' Champions|World Champion]] drivers [[Marcus Grönholm]], [[Juha Kankkunen]], [[Hannu Mikkola]], [[Tommi Mäkinen]], [[Timo Salonen]] and [[Ari Vatanen]]. The only Finn to have won a [[road racing]] [[List of Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champions|World Championship]], [[Jarno Saarinen]], was killed in 1973 while racing.

Among [[winter sport]]s, Finland has been the most successful country in [[ski jumping]], with former ski jumper [[Matti Nykänen]] being arguably the best ever in that sport. Most notably, he won five Olympic medals (four gold) and nine World Championships medals (five gold). Among currently active Finnish ski jumpers, [[Janne Ahonen]] has been the most successful. [[Kalle Palander]] is a well-known [[alpine skiing]] winner, who won the World Championship and Crystal Ball (twice, in [[Kitzbühel]]). [[Tanja Poutiainen]] has won an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] [[silver medal]] for alpine skiing, as well as multiple FIS World Cup races.

Some of the most outstanding athletes from the past include [[Hannes Kolehmainen]] (1890–1966), [[Paavo Nurmi]] (1897–1973) and [[Ville Ritola]] (1896–1982) who won eighteen [[Gold medal|gold]] and seven silver Olympic medals in the [[Sports timeline#1910s|1910s]] and [[Sports timeline#1920s|1920s]]. They are also considered to be the first of a generation of great Finnish [[Middle distance track event|middle]] and [[Long-distance track event|long-distance]] runners (and subsequently, other great [[List of Finns#Sportspersons|Finnish sportsmen]]) often named the "[[Flying Finn (athlete)|Flying Finns]]". Another long-distance runner, [[Lasse Virén]] (born 1949), won a total of four gold medals during the [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972]] and [[1976 Summer Olympics]].

Also, in the past, [[Riku Kiri]], [[Jouko Ahola]] and [[Janne Virtanen]] have been the greatest [[Strongman (strength athlete)|strength athletes]] in the country, participating in the [[World's Strongest Man]] competition between 1993 and 2000.

The [[1952 Summer Olympics]], officially known as the ''Games of the XV Olympiad'', were held in 1952 in [[Helsinki]], Finland. Other notable sporting events held in Finland include the [[1983 World Championships in Athletics|1983]] and [[2005 World Championships in Athletics]], among others.

Some of the most popular recreational sports and activities include [[floorball]], [[Nordic walking]], [[running]], [[cycling]] and [[skiing]].

===Finnishness===
*[[List of Finns]]
*[[Suuret suomalaiset]] &ndash; a list of the "100 Greatest Finns" of all time as voted by the Finnish people in 2004.
Below are listed some of the characteristics of Finnishness. The term "Finnishness" is often referred to as the national identity of the [[Finnish people]] and [[Culture of Finland|its culture]].
[[Image:Gallen Kallela The Aino Triptych.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A [[triptych]] by [[Akseli Gallen-Kallela]], depicting the ''[[Aino (mythology)|Aino Story]]'' of [[Kalevala]] on three panes.]]

;[[Finnish Maiden]]
:   a figure of [[national personification]] symbolising Finland
; [[Kalevala]]
:   the [[national epic]] of Finland, and [[Finnish mythology]] in general
;[[Kantele]]
:   traditional musical instrument
;[[Mämmi]]
:   traditional Easter food
;[[Kalakukko]]
:  traditional Savonian food
;[[Mustamakkara]]
:   traditional blood sausage from [[Tampere]]
;[[Karelian pasties]]
:  traditional pasties from the region of [[Karelia]]
;[[Joulupukki]]
:   Father Christmas/Santa Claus
;[[Jean Sibelius]]
:   one of the most popular national figures (composer of the symphonic poem [[Finlandia (symphonic poem)|Finlandia]])
;[[Sauna]]
:   a Finnish national institution (see also [[Finnish sauna]])
;[[Sisu]]
:   will, determination, perseverance, mental fortitude
;[[Puukko]]
:   traditional Finnish style woodcraft belt-knife
;[[Talkoot]]
:   community work
;[[Ice swimming]]
:   swimming in a body of water with a frozen crust of ice
;[[Nordic walking]]
:   a recreational sport first popularized in Finland
;[[Salmiakki]]
:   salty liquorice
;[[Sahti]]
:   traditional beer
;[[Koskenkorva Viina|Koskenkorva]]
:   Finnish vodka
;[[Wiktionary:Transwiki:Reilumeininki|Reilumeininki]]
:   fair play
;[[Flying Finn (athlete)|Flying Finn]]
:   a nickname given to notable Finnish sportsmen (originated with Olympic medalist [[Hannes Kolehmainen]])

==See also==
{{main|List of Finland-related topics}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*'''Lists'''
**[[List of cities and towns in Finland]]
**[[List of Finns]]
**[[List of Finnish companies]]
**[[List of Finnish television stations]]
**[[List of newspapers in Finland]]
**[[List of universities in Finland]]
**[[List of bands from Finland]]
**[[List of Finnish wars]]

*'''History'''
**[[History of Finland]]
**[[Finlandization]]
**[[Finnish Railway Museum]]

*'''Politics'''
**[[Foreign relations of Finland]]
**[[Finnish Defence Forces|Military of Finland]]
**[[Gun politics in Finland]]
{{col-2}}

*'''Infrastructure'''
**[[Education in Finland]]
**[[Communications in Finland]]
**[[Crime in Finland]]
**[[Transport in Finland]]
**[[Fire fighting in Finland]]
**[[VR Group]] (Finnish State Railways)

*'''Culture and sports'''
**[[Cuisine of Finland]]
**[[Music of Finland]]
**[[Football in Finland]]
**[[Ethnic issues in Finland]]

{{portal|Finland|Flag of Finland (bordered).svg}}
*'''Miscellaneous'''
**[[Protected areas of Finland]]
**[[Tourism in Finland]]
{{col-end}}

===International rankings===
:''The following list contains [[List of international rankings|international comparisons of national performance]]. The list has a maximum of three years per survey. For a more complete list, see [[International rankings of Finland]].''

{{International rankings of Finland}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*Jason Lavery – ''The History of Finland (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations)'', Greenwood Press 2006 (ISBN 0-313-32837-4) ([[International Standard Serial Number|ISSN]] 1096-2905)
*Deborah Swallow – ''Culture Shock! Finland: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette'' (ISBN 1-55868-592-8)
*Richard D. Lewis – ''Finland: Cultural Lone Wolf'' (ISBN 1-931930-18-X)
*[[Max Jakobson]] – ''Finland in the New Europe'' (ISBN 0-275-96372-1)
*[[William R. Trotter]] – ''A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940'' (ISBN 1-56512-249-6)
*Eino Jutikkala, Kauko Pirinen – ''A History of Finland'' (ISBN 0-88029-260-1)
*Chris Mann – ''[[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]]'s Arctic War: The German Campaigns in Norway, Finland, and the USSR 1940-1945'' (ISBN 0-312-31100-1)
*''Insight Guide: Finland'' (ISBN 981-4120-39-1)
*[[Matti Klinge]] – ''Let Us Be Finns: Essays on History'' (ISBN 951-1-11180-9)
*''[[Lonely Planet]]: Finland'' (ISBN 1-74059-791-5)
* Jaakko Rusama, Ecumenical Growth in Finland. (ISBN 951-693-239-8)
*Fred Singleton – ''A Short History of Finland'' (ISBN 0-521-64701-0)
*Allen F. Chew – ''The White Death: The Epic of the Soviet-Finnish Winter War'' (ISBN 0-87013-167-2)
*Eloise Engle and Lauri Paananen – ''The Winter War: The Soviet Attack on Finland 1939-1940'' (ISBN 0-8117-2433-6)
*[[Jean-Jacques Subrenat]] – ''Listen, there's music from the forest; a brief presentation of the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival'' (ISBN 952-92-0564-3)

==External links==
<!--

Please follow the [[WP:EL]] guideline, and consider discussing on the talk page.

-->
{{sisterlinks|Finland}}
*[http://www.government.fi/etusivu/en.jsp The Finnish Government] – Official governmental site
*[http://www.president.fi/en/ The President of Finland] – Official site of the President of the Republic of Finland
*[http://web.eduskunta.fi/Resource.phx/parliament/index.htx Parliament of Finland] – Official Parliamentary site
*[http://virtual.finland.fi Virtual Finland] – Main portal to Finland (administered by the [[Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland]])
*[http://www.visitfinland.com Visit Finland] – The official travel and tourism guide by the [http://www.mek.fi/web/MekEng/index.nsf Finnish Tourist Board]
*[http://www.helsinki.fi/en/ Helsinki.fi] – [[Helsinki|Capital of Finland]]'s city portal
*[http://www.fmi.fi/en/index.html Today's weather by the Finnish Meteorological Institute]
*{{wikitravel}}

{{clear}}
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[[Category:Finland| ]]
[[Category:Scandinavia]]
[[Category:Liberal democracies]]

{{Link FA|de}}
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[[af:Finland]]
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[[ar:فنلندا]]
[[an:Finlandia]]
[[arc:ܦܢܠܢܕܐ]]
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[[ca:Finlàndia]]
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[[gv:Finnlynn]]
[[gd:Suòmaidh]]
[[gl:Finlandia - Suomi]]
[[got:𐍆𐌹𐌽𐌽𐌰𐌻𐌰𐌽𐌳]]
[[zh-classical:芬蘭]]
[[hak:Fûn-làn]]
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[[haw:Pinilana]]
[[hy:Ֆինլանդիա]]
[[hi:फ़िनलैंड]]
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[[io:Finlando]]
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[[id:Finlandia]]
[[ia:Finlandia]]
[[ie:Finland]]
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[[it:Finlandia]]
[[he:פינלנד]]
[[kl:Finlandi]]
[[pam:Finland]]
[[kn:ಫಿನ್‍ಲ್ಯಾಂಡ್]]
[[ka:ფინეთი]]
[[ks:फिन्लैंड]]
[[csb:Fińskô]]
[[kk:Финландия]]
[[kw:Pow Finn]]
[[sw:Ufini]]
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[[lij:Finlandia]]
[[li:Finland]]
[[ln:Finilanda]]
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[[lmo:Finlandia]]
[[hu:Finnország]]
[[mk:Финска]]
[[mdf:Суоми мастор]]
[[ml:ഫിന്‍ലാന്റ്]]
[[mt:Finlandja]]
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[[ms:Finland]]
[[nah:Fintlālpan]]
[[myv:Суоми Мастор]]
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[[th:ประเทศฟินแลนด์]]
[[vi:Phần Lan]]
[[tg:Финланд]]
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[[tr:Finlandiya]]
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[[uk:Фінляндія]]
[[ur:فن لینڈ]]
[[vec:Finlandia]]
[[vo:Suomiyän]]
[[fiu-vro:Soomõ]]
[[wa:Finlande]]
[[vls:Finland]]
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[[wuu:芬兰]]
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[[diq:Finlanda]]
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[[zh:芬兰]]

Revision as of 04:32, 4 December 2008

Fuck you maydie, finland is a land of fags. ROFLPWNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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