Finland

The Republic of Finland (Finnish: Suomen tasavalta, Swedish: Republiken Finland), commonly known as Finland, is located in northern Europe with Helsinki as its capital. It borders Sweden, Norway, and Russia, with the Gulf of Finland to the south and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west. Finland covers a total area of 338,000 square kilometers, with a coastline of 1,100 kilometers. The terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, and the country experiences a temperate maritime climate. As of November 2023, Finland's population stands at 5.603 million, with the majority being ethnic Finns. Both Finnish and Swedish are official languages.

Finland is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," with inland water bodies making up 10% of the country's total area. There are approximately 179,000 islands and 188,000 lakes. The terrain is generally flat, with Finland's highest point being Halti Peak (Haltitunturi), located on the Finnish-Norwegian border in the northern region of Lapland, at an altitude of 1,328 meters. The longest river is the Kemijoki River, which runs 512 kilometers. Most of Finland's islands are in the southwest and along the southern coast of the Finnish Peninsula, with the Åland Islands being particularly well-known.

Finland has a temperate maritime climate, with average winter temperatures ranging from -14°C to -3°C, and summer temperatures between 13°C and 17°C. The annual average rainfall is 600 millimeters.

Forests cover 80% of Finland, totaling around 22.82 million hectares, which means each person has an average of 4.2 hectares, the highest per capita in Europe and the second highest in the world.

On January 1, 2010, Finland officially abolished its provincial administrative divisions and the position of governor. In 2013, the country was further reorganized into six regional administrative agencies, divided into over 320 municipalities, each with autonomy to manage its own financial affairs.

The Finnish national flag is known as the "Blue Cross Flag" (Finnish: Siniristilippu). It was officially adopted on May 29, 1918, as the civil flag of the nation. The flag is rectangular, with a ratio of 18:11 between its length and width. The background is white, and a blue cross, slightly off-center to the left, divides the flag into four white rectangles. Finland is famous for its "Land of a Thousand Lakes" moniker, bordered by the Baltic Sea to the southwest. The blue on the flag symbolizes lakes, rivers, and the sea, though some say it represents the sky. The blue and white also symbolize Finland's history as a Grand Duchy under Tsarist Russia in the 19th century. The Finnish flag reflects the country's relationship with Sweden and the Scandinavian nations. One-third of Finland's territory lies within the Arctic Circle, where the climate is cold, and the white on the flag represents the snow-covered landscape.

Finland's national coat of arms was adopted during the reign of King Gustav I of Sweden. It was also used during Finland's time as a Grand Duchy and has remained in use since then. The coat of arms features a red shield with a crowned golden lion. The lion holds a sword in its front paw and stands on a curved saber with its hind paw. Nine white roses are scattered around the lion. The lion originates from the Folkunga family, and it also appears in Sweden's coat of arms. The sword and curved saber resemble those on the coat of arms of Karelia, while the Russian saber under the lion's paw reflects the political situation at the time, when Sweden and Russia were engaged in a prolonged conflict. The nine roses are thought to represent Finland’s historical nine provinces, though the number of roses has changed over time.

Finland has a parliamentary democratic republic system. Legislative power is shared between the parliament and the president. The president serves as the head of state, but most executive power is held by the cabinet, led by the prime minister, who is elected by the parliament. The cabinet consists of the prime minister, ministers from various government departments, and one chancellor of justice

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Attractions in Finland

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Activities in Finland

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Common sense of Finland

Finns

Finns generally aren’t big on small talk, and quiet moments in conversations aren’t considered awkward. Finns tend to mean what they say – if someone asks you to get together for lunch sometime soon, expect to get a text, e-mail or phone call. Finally, Finns are known for their modesty and self-deprecating sense of humour.
Culture & Traditions

Finnish winters are long, cold and dark, making them ideal for winter activities like skiing, skating and, in Lapland, spotting the Northern Lights. Winter also provides the perfect excuse to get together to celebrate and enjoy Finnish traditions, such as parties before Christmas or bobsledding and eating buns. Long winters also mean Finns enjoy every second of summer and its white nights. Sauna is a major component of Finnish culture, and it’s part of everyday life in Finland.
Design & Architecture

A huge part of what makes Finland special is the way Finns integrate harmony and design into aspects of everyday life. It’s no wonder, then, that Finland is an intriguing architecture and design destination that’s home to iconic brands like Marimekko, Iittala and Artek. Across Finland, you’ll find interesting architecture of many styles – from wooden churches to modern masterpieces. Many Finnish architects choose to highlight the interplay between Finland’s ever-changing light and stunning nature, something that’s best experienced in person.
A Safe Travel Destination

Finland isn’t just the happiest place in the world; it’s also one of the safest countries to live or travel in. Comparatively, crime rates are low. Although you might find yourself in the midst of a storm or blizzard, major natural disasters such as tornados, typhoons and earthquakes are practically non-existent.
Emergency Number

Please call 112 if you need urgent medical attention or help from firefighters or police.
Transportation

You can fly, cruise or drive to Finland.
Arriving by plane: Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) airport near the capital city is the country’s biggest airport and offers many connections to and from other parts of the country and abroad. Besides Helsinki, there are a handful of national airports, such as Rovaniemi (RVN) and Kittilä (KTT) in Lapland, that offer direct international flights. Check the options for your point of departure.
Arriving by boat: Helsinki has boat connections with Germany, Poland, Sweden, Latvia and Estonia. You can also arrive by boat via Vaasa (from Umeå, Sweden), Turku (from Stockholm, Sweden) and Hanko (from Nynäshamn, Sweden). There are many companies that offer Baltic Sea cruises – some of them also stop at ports in Finland for day trips.
Arriving by car: On the northeastern border of Finland, you can drive in via Sweden and Norway. You can also drive your own car to a boat and then cross the Baltic to Finland.
Weather

January is the coldest season of the year, and it gets colder as you go north. In Rovaniemi, Lapland, the average January temperature is minus 13℃. On Helsinki's southern coast, the average January temperature is 6℃. At its coldest time in Lapland, temperatures can drop to minus 35℃. In Helsinki, temperatures can sometimes drop to minus 21℃.
Finland in summer is similar to other northern and central European regions. In August, the average maximum temperature can reach 17℃ in Rovaniemi and 22℃ in Helsinki. Lightweight pants, shorts, a T-shirt or other casual summer attire is appropriate in most areas.
Language

The two main official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish. There are also several official minority languages: three variants of Sami, Romani, Finnish Sign Language and Karelian. English is spoken widely. Many also speak German.
Currency

The Euro is Finland’s official currency. In most places, all major credit cards are accepted.
Tips

Tipping isn’t required, and in most cases, it‘s not expected. You can tip if you’ve received great service – or if you just want to make someone’s day!
Holidays

The two biggest and most famous holidays in Finland are Midsummer and Christmas
Time Zone

Eastern European Time (EET) UTC offset UTC+02:00
Visa

Finland belongs to the Schengen area, and a Schengen visa is required to travel to Finland.
Driving

Finland is a pleasant destination to explore by car. Finnish roads are in good condition and most people abide by traffic rules. Traffic jams are rare. In the winter, cars must have special winter tyres. Even with winter tyres, slippery road surfaces and frequent snowfall mean you must be careful and adjust your speed according to conditions.
One more thing: In Finland, the blood-alcohol limit for drunk driving is 0.05%. Please don’t drink and drive.
When driving in Finland you need to pay special attention to warning signs for moose, deer or reindeer. Animals are most active at dusk and dawn, but they can suddenly cross the road at any time of day. When you see a warning sign, adjust your speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Generally speaking, the speed limit in Finland is 50 km/h inside built-up zones and 80 km/h outside built-up zones. If no other speed limit is posted, these two speed limits are usually enforced. In summer, the maximum speed limit is 100 km/h on main roads and 120 km/h on motorways. In winter, the speed limit on main roads drops to 80 km/h, while the maximum speed limit on motorways drops to 100 km/h.
If an oncoming vehicle flashes its high beams at you, it usually means you have not turned on your headlights. According to Finnish traffic laws, drivers must turn on their headlights while driving regardless of the season, even under the midnight sun. But seeing emergency lights flashing may mean there's an accident ahead or an animal is blocking the road, so please stay alert when this happens.
Animals and Insects

Finland has one venomous snake, the viper, or kyy in Finnish. If you’re outdoors during the warmer months, watch your step and wear boots that cover your ankles. If you plan to spend a good bit of time in nature, visit a local pharmacy and buy a first aid kit (kyypakkaus). And if you’re bitten by a snake, call 112 and head to a hospital or doctor’s office immediately.
Mosquitoes are a nuisance during the summer. Ticks are found throughout the country, except the most northern parts of Finnish Lapland, and they can spread TBE and Borrelia. Wear long-sleeved shirts, clothes that cover your skin and bug repellent. Your highest risk of encountering ticks is on the coast and in the archipelago area. Statistically, though, the risk of contracting a tick-borne disease is low.
The Best Time to Visit

Finland is a year-round destination. Winters are great for outdoor activities like downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, skating and ice-swimming. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to see the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland. Late summer and autumn are ideal for foraging and enjoying colourful autumn foliage. The spring months (until early May) offer the best skiing in Lapland – in the south, the snow will be gone by then. The summer months across Finland are known for their white nights, and in Lapland, as a time when the sun never sets. Big cities have interesting things to see and do all year, and across Finland, it’s always sauna season.
Food Culture

Cereals & Grains：If you’re more into traditional foods, stick to good ol’ porridge. This hearty delight can be enjoyed at any gas station, hotel or café for just a few euros. Warming, filling and incredibly tasty, it’s best served with a spoonful of jam or a little fresh butter.
Fish – another staple of the Finnish diet. Whether it’s tasty salmon soup, fillets of perch, pickled Baltic herring or smoked vendace, the list simply goes on and on. Best consumed fresh at food markets, delis and restaurants throughout the country, fish dishes are the heart of the Finnish diet. Finnish salmon soup is a classic that’s served both at home and in restaurants. The most popular version features creamy white broth studded with salmon, onions and potatoes and garnished with a handful of dill.
Fresh, juicy berries are the gold of Finland’s forests. Plentiful and sweet when in season, lingonberries, woodland strawberries and blueberries taste best when they’re picked straight from the forest or purchased fresh by the litre at a local market. Off-season and outside of the warmer months of the year, local jams with cloudberries and the notorious sea-buckthorn are the preferred way to enjoy Finland’s berry bounty.
Mushrooms – ceps, chanterelles, false morel and list goes on.
Other food, Poronkäristys from Lapland, Kalakukko – a local delicacy, Karjalanpiirakka – a sublime pastry, Ruisleipä – made from sour dough, Rieska – Finnish flatbreads, Korvapuusti – a pastry enjoyed with a cup of coffee, Bilberry pie – adored by all, Chocolate from Finland.
Where should I go in Finland？

Finland has four main regions that offer various activities and attractions, and they’re all worth visiting. To learn more, visit the Lapland, Lakeland, Coast and Archipelago, and Helsinki Region pages.
Location

Finland is a Nordic country that’s located in northern Europe by the Baltic Sea. It has some 5.5 million inhabitants and has been recognized as the happiest country in the world for several years running.
Nature in Finland

Finland stretches over 1150km from north to south and falls partly within the Arctic Circle, which makes for diverse natural environments. Lapland is known as Europe’s last great wilderness, and Finland is home to Europe’s largest lake district and the world’s largest archipelago. Plus, 75% of Finland is covered with forests, so even in cities like Helsinki, Tampere and Turku, nature is always close by.

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