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The Republic of Finland (Suomen Tasavalta) is located in Northern Europe, in the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Finland borders Russia, Norway, and Sweden and has access to the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. The country's coastline is 4.5 thousand km. The distance from the sea does not exceed 300 km. In terms of area (338 thousand sq. km), Finland surpasses such European countries as Great Britain and Italy, taking 7th place among European countries. Finland stretches for 540 km from west to east and from north to south - 1160 km.

 

Finland is one of the northernmost countries in the world; 1/3 of its territory is beyond the Arctic Circle, which complicates the economic development of a significant part of the country. The Baltic Sea provides access to the World Ocean. An unfavorable factor in this case is the freezing of the Gulf of Bothnia and Finland for a long time. Finland, located between Russia, Norway, and Sweden, is connected to them through various means of communication. The common border with Sweden is 586 km, Norway 727 km, and Russia 1269 km. Area - 337 thousand. km2 (about 1/3 beyond the Arctic Circle), 9.4% - inland waters, mostly lakes. Finland is a country of lakes (in Finnish, Suomi or Saomeumaa is a country of lakes or swamps). There are about 60 thousand of them, the largest of which are Saima, Inari, and Päijänne. You can see this by visiting cities such as Lapenranta and Imatra, which are located in Finland's most beautiful lakes. The country's main rivers are Tornio, Muonio, Kemi, and Oulu, but only Oulu is suitable for navigation. Most of the territory is flat, with mountainous terrain in the northwest of the country, where the highest point in Finland is Mount Haltija (1324 m). Finland also owns the Åland Islands (Ahvenanmaa archipelago) - about 6.5 thousand. Population: 5.16 million (2002). Ethnic groups: Finns - 90%, Swedes - 9%, about 2500 Sami live in the north, and other minorities make up less than 1%.

 

The official languages ​​are Finnish and Swedish.

 

The capital is Helsinki (500 thousand people, 2002).

 

Finland belongs to the group of Scandinavian countries with which it maintains close ties. After 700 years of Swedish rule, in 1809, it was transferred to Russia and received the status of the Grand Duchy of Finland. In December 1917, Finland declared independence. After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Finland again focused on closer ties with Western Europe. It has been a member of the UN (since 1955), the Nordic Council (since 1955), and the EU (since 1995).

 

Finns love their traditions, preserve them, and pass them on from generation to generation. For example, talking loudly, laughing uncontrollably, or talking about nothing. In Finland, this will be indecent and considered unnecessary from generation to generation. They prefer to resolve controversial situations over a quiet tea party. Raising their voice is considered rude. If, during a conversation, you avert your eyes and look to the side, this will be a clear sign to a Finnish friend that you are acting dishonestly.

 

Another unusual tradition for us is the attitude towards arrival. You cannot visit a friend just because you are passing by. It is customary to announce your arrival a couple of weeks in advance and prepare. You expect the hosts to take it seriously and prepare an evening program. Finns are very sensitive to their customs. You will never see a Finn showing disrespect for their culture or trying to pretend to be someone from another country.

 

Relations between men and women in this country are built based on equality. When you arrive at a restaurant, it is more likely that each person will pay for themselves, although offering to pay for dinner is acceptable. Finnish girls consider a kiss on the hand to be gallant. Speaking of traditions, one cannot help but remember the traditional Finnish saunas. There are almost 1,000,000 of them, and this does not include private ones. According to Finnish traditions, saunas are often made of wood. The Finnish proverb "first build a sauna, then you can build a house" has survived. The sauna has always meant a lot to the family. Here you can relax after a hard day. This love for saunas Finns has managed not only to preserve but also to increase. Saunas are everywhere – in schools, institutes, and airports, but most often, they are on lake shores, the most picturesque places.

 

Another tradition associated with the 1000 Finnish lakes is fishing. Even their traditional sport—skiing—is much inferior to fishing in its popularity. Every year in Finland, the largest fish competitions are held in five categories: pike, perch, whitefish, and trout. In this case, the competition is divided into catches obtained by active or passive methods.

 

Another pleasant tradition is the love and respect for sports, regardless of physical fitness or age. In summer, this is, of course, a bicycle, and in winter – skis. Nordic walking is also a national sport. Finnish scientists have found that walking is one of the most beneficial sports, but unfortunately, it does not involve the shoulder girdle and arms, so those who want to improve their health are given sticks.

 

And here you can find out what time it is in Finland, Helsinki.