Finland

• フィンランド

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Finnish

　 　

WordNet

1. republic in northern Europe; achieved independence from Russia in 1917 (同)Republic of Finland, Suomi
2. of or relating to or characteristic of Finland or the people of Finland; "Finnish architecture"
3. the official language of Finland; belongs to the Baltic Finnic family of languages (同)Suomi
4. an eastern arm of the Baltic Sea; between Finland and Estonia

PrepTutorEJDIC

1. フィンランド(北欧の共和国;首都はHelsinki)
2. フィンランド(Finland)の;フィンランド人(語)の / フィンランド語

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出典(authority):フリー百科事典『ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』「2016/07/24 23:36:56」(JST)

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フィンランド共和国

Suomen tasavalta（フィンランド語）
Republiken Finland（スウェーデン語）

（国旗）	（国章）

国の標語：なし

国歌：我等の地

公用語	フィンランド語、スウェーデン語
首都	ヘルシンキ
最大の都市	ヘルシンキ
政府 大統領 サウリ・ニーニスト 首相 ユハ・シピラ 面積 総計 338,400 km²km2（65位） 水面積率 9.4% 人口 総計（2012年） 5,326,000人（112位） 人口密度 16人/km2 GDP（自国通貨表示） 合計（2008年） 1,861億ユーロ (€) GDP (MER) 合計（2008年） 2,739億ドル（33位） GDP (PPP) 合計（2008年） 1,908億ドル（52位） 1人あたり 36,217ドル 成立 スウェーデンより分離、自治国家フィンランド大公国の建国 1809年9月17日 ロシアの宗主権から離脱（フィンランド独立宣言） 1917年12月6日
通貨	ユーロ (€) (EUR)
時間帯	UTC +2（DST：+3）
ISO 3166-1	FI / FIN
ccTLD	.fi
国際電話番号	358

フィンランド共和国（フィンランドきょうわこく、フィンランド語: Suomen tasavalta、スウェーデン語: Republiken Finland）、通称フィンランドは、北ヨーロッパに位置する共和制国家。北欧諸国のひとつであり、西はスウェーデン、北はノルウェー、東はロシアと隣接し、南はフィンランド湾を挟んでエストニアが位置する。首都はヘルシンキ。

フィンランドは「フィン人の国」という意味で、スオミはフィン人の自称である。「スオミ」の語源については多くの説が提唱されており定説はないが、同じウラル系の「サーミ」や「サーミッド」（サモエード）と同源とする見方がある。「フィン」についてはタキトゥスが残した「北方に住む貧しいフェンニ人」の記述が最古のものである。「スオミ」については古くはフィンランド南西端、バルト海沿岸にある都市トゥルクを中心とする限られた地域を指す単語であったのが、後に国土全体を指す単語に変容し、そこに住んでいたスオミ族の名が後にフィンランド語の名称になった。トゥルク周辺は現在では「本来のスオミ（Varsinais-Suomi）」と呼ばれている。

フィンランドはOECDによるレビューにおいて、「世界で最も競争的であり、かつ市民は人生に満足している国の一つである」と2014年には報告された。フィンランドはOECD BetteLife Indexの多軸評価において、すべての点でOECD平均を上回っている。

国名

正式名称は、フィンランド語では Suomen tasavalta（スオメン・タサヴァルタ）、通称 Suomi（スオミ）。形容詞はsuomalainen（スオマライネン）。スウェーデン語では Republiken Finland（レプブリケン・フィンランド）、通称 Finland（フィンランド）。形容詞はfinsk（フィンスク）。公用語はフィンランド語とスウェーデン語。

日本語の表記は フィンランド共和国、通称 フィンランド。漢字による当て字では芬蘭（古くは芬蘭土とも）と表記し、芬と略す。

歴史

詳細は「フィンランドの歴史」を参照

通常は先史時代（〜1155年）、スウェーデン時代（1155年〜1809年）、ロシアによる大公国（フィンランド大公国）時代（1809年〜1917年）、独立後の現代（フィンランド王国時代を含む、1917年〜）の四つの区分に分かれる。

現在のフィンランドの土地には、旧石器時代から人が居住した。南には農業や航海を生業とするフィン人が居住し、後にトナカイの放牧狩猟をするサーミ人が、北方に生活を営むようになった。400年代にノルマン人のスヴェーア人がフィンランド沿岸に移住を開始、居住域を拡大していった。

1155年にはスウェーデン王エーリク9世は北方十字軍の名のもと、フィンランドを征服し、同時にキリスト教（カトリック）を広めた。1323年までにはスウェーデンによる支配が完了し、正教会のノブゴロド公国との間で国境線が画定したことで、名実ともにスウェーデン領になった。16世紀の宗教改革でスウェーデンのグスタフ1世がルター派を受け入れたため、フィンランドもルター派が広まることになった。カトリックの承認を得ずに司教となったアグリコラが聖書翻訳を進めたことでフィンランドは新教国としての性格を決定的にした。

1662年のフィンランド

1581年にはフィンランドの独立が模索された結果、ヨハン3世が「フィンランドおよびカレリア大公」（後にフィンランド大公となった）"となり、スウェーデン王国が宗主国となる形でフィンランド公国建国が宣言された。しかしこれは、フィンランドに植民したスウェーデン人が中心で長くは続かなかった。この時代のフィンランドはスウェーデン＝フィンランドと呼称されており、スウェーデンによる大国時代を形成していた。

1700年から始まった大北方戦争の結果の1721年のニスタット条約で、フィンランドの一部（カレリア）がロシア帝国に割譲された。ナポレオン戦争の最中にスウェーデンが敗北すると、1809年にアレクサンドル1世はフィンランド大公国を建国し、フィンランド大公を兼任することになった。その後スウェーデンは戦勝国となったが、フィンランドはスウェーデンに戻らず、ロシアに留め置かれた。

19世紀のナショナリズムの高まりはフィンランドにも波及し、『カレワラ』の編纂など独自の歴史研究がなされた。その一方でロシア帝国によるロシア語の強制などでフィンランド人の不満は高まった。

1899年には、ニコライ2世が署名した二月詔書には、高揚するロシア・ナショナリズムに配慮して、フィンランドの自治権廃止宣言が含まれていることがフィンランド人に発覚したためフィンランドで暴動が発生。1904年6月17日にはフィンランド民族主義者オイゲン・シャウマンによるロシア総督ニコライ・ボブリコフ暗殺の惨事にいたり、ついに1905年には「自治権廃止」は撤回された。

1917年にはロシア革命の混乱に乗じてフィンランド領邦議会は独立を宣言した。1918年に共産化し、オットー・クーシネンらを首班としたフィンランド社会主義労働者共和国が成立した。その後ドイツ軍など外国の介入もあり、フィンランド南部で優勢だった赤軍は白軍のマンネルヘイムにより鎮圧され、1919年にはフィンランド共和国憲法が制定された（フィンランド内戦）。

しかし、独立後の政情は不安定で1921年にスウェーデンと領土問題で争ったが、国際連盟の事務次官であった新渡戸稲造による「新渡戸裁定」で解決をみた（オーランド諸島問題）、さらに1939年から1940年のソ連との冬戦争では国土の10分の1（人口と産業密度の高い南東部等）を失った。なお戦前のフィンランドの領土面積は382,801km²であった。第二次世界大戦（継続戦争）ではソ連と対抗するために枢軸国側に付いて戦い、一時は冬戦争前の領土を回復したが、ソ連軍の反攻によって押し戻され、良く持ちこたえたものの、1944年にソ連と休戦。休戦の条件として国内駐留ドイツ軍を駆逐するために戦ったにも関わらず（ラップランド戦争）、敗戦国として終戦を迎えた。

戦後はソ連の勢力下に置かれ、ソ連の意向によりマーシャル・プランを受けられず、北大西洋条約機構にもECにも加盟しなかった。自由民主政体を維持し資本主義経済圏に属するかたわら、外交・国防の面では共産圏に近かったが、ワルシャワ条約機構には加盟しなかった（ノルディックバランス）。この微妙な舵取りのもと、現在に至るまで独立と平和を維持した。ソ連崩壊後には西側陣営に接近し、1994年にはEU加盟に合意。2000年にはユーロを導入した。

政治

詳細は「フィンランドの政治」を参照

エドゥスクンタ（Eduskunta）、フィンランドの議会。

国家元首である大統領の任期は6年で、国民の直接選挙によって選ばれる。

「フィンランドの大統領」および「フィンランドの首相」も参照

2015年5月29日、議会は、第1党・中央党の党首ユハ・シピラを首相に選出した。サウリ・ニーニスト大統領は、同日、同首相就任を承認した。同首相は、中央党を中心とする新連立内閣を発足させた。

議会制民主主義国家であり、議会が国権の最高機関である。政治形態は独立以降、半大統領制の様な状態で大統領には現在より大きな権力があったが、1990年以降になって議院内閣制への移行を目的とした憲法改正が数度行われ、行政権の比重は大統領から首相（内閣）に大きく傾いた。

議会は一院制でエドゥスクンタ（Eduskunta）と呼ばれる。200議席を15の選挙区に分け、比例代表制選挙で選出され、政党助成金制度が存在する。任期は4年だが、途中で解散される場合もある。前回の投票は、2015年4月19日に行われた。政党別の獲得議席数は、次の通り。

• 中央党（Kesk）49
• 真のフィンランド人（PS）38
• 国民連合党（Kok）37
• 社会民主党（SDP）34
• 緑の同盟（VIHR）15
• 左翼同盟（VAR）12
• スウェーデン人民党（SFP）9
• キリスト教民主党（KD）5
• その他 1

「フィンランドの政党一覧」および「w:List of political parties in Finland」も参照

行政府の長である首相は、副首相や閣僚と共に内閣を構成する。各閣僚は議会に対して責任を負う。首相は、総選挙後に各党代表の交渉結果に従って大統領が首相候補者を指名し、議会で過半数の賛成を得た後、大統領による任命を経て就任する。他の閣僚は、首相の選任に基づき大統領が任命する。

内政面においては先進的な北欧型の福祉国家という印象が強いが、戦後は賠償金などの支払いもあり労働者の権利拡充は後回しされ、労働無きコーポラティズムとして日本に近い社会であった。その後は急速に福祉国家建設へと邁進し北欧型の社会に近づく。

また、世界で最も政治家による汚職の少ない国のひとつとも評価されている。2008年の民間活動団体「トランスペアレンシー・インターナショナル」による政治の腐敗認識指数調査では、2004年まで1位（世界で最も汚職が少ない）だったが、2009年時点では6位に転落している。

軍事

フィンランド軍のレオパルト2戦車

詳細は「フィンランド国防軍」を参照

• 常備軍 - 16,500人
  • 職業軍人 - 8,700人
• 最大可能動員数 - 34,700人
  • 陸軍 - 27,300人
  • 海軍 - 3,000人
  • 空軍 - 4,400人
• 軍事費 - GDPの1.4%

三軍の他に国境警備隊（3,000人）があり、内務省の指揮下にあるが、有事の際には軍隊に統合される。

6〜12ヶ月の徴兵制を実施している（対象は18歳以上の男子。女子は志願制、エホバの証人（宗教法人）は免除されている）。100人あたりの小型武器の所有率は、2007年においてアメリカ合衆国、イエメンに次いで世界第3位である。

詳細は「フィンランドの銃規制」を参照

冷戦時代には、ソ連製のMiG-21戦闘機やAKライフル、T-54/55およびT-72戦車と中立国のスウェーデン製サーブ 35 ドラケン戦闘機などを有していた。冷戦終結後は西側からの調達が主となり、アメリカ製F-18戦闘機、ドイツ製レオパルト2戦車を装備している。

冷戦期に日本の中曽根首相（当時）が「国防努力を怠ればフィンランドのようになる」とフィンランド化について言及した発言を国会で行い、当時の駐日フィンランド大使が遺憾の意を表明する事件があった。

国際関係

詳細は「フィンランドの国際関係」および「w:Foreign relations of Finland」を参照

フィンランドが外交使節を派遣している諸国の一覧図。

第二次世界大戦後、軍事勢力バランスの上でソビエト連邦の勢力圏に入りながら資本主義体制を維持するというジレンマ（ユーゴスラビアなどの逆パターンとも言える）に置かれたため、外交のみならず国内的にもソビエト批判をタブーとする空気に支配されるという"フィンランド化"状況が続いた。フィンランドの外交を「フィンランド外交とは西側にあまり尻を出しすぎぬほどにロシアに頭を下げることである」との風刺が存在するほどであった。日本では、中曽根康弘首相が、「ソ連は、日本をフィンランド化しようとしている」と演説で述べ、ソ連が、日本をフィンランドの様なソ連に逆らわない隣国にしようとしている、と言う懸念を述べた事があったが、この演説は、フィンランドの抗議を受けている。

しかしながらその立場を逆用し、東西貿易の窓口として栄え、国民の生活水準は世界一にもなった。現在ではNATOには参加することなく北欧理事会を中心とする北欧主義（Nordicism）、EUを中心とする欧州への参加、国連を中心とする世界秩序の構築が国是となっている。

地方行政区画

ヘルシンキの繁華街

詳細は「フィンランドの地方行政区画」を参照

フィンランドは、19の県 (maakunta、マークンタ) に分かれる。2009年までは県の上位行政区画として州が存在し、6つの州 (lääni、レーニ) に区分されていたが、2010年1月1日に廃止された。また、2010年までは、東ウーシマー県が存在し、県の数は20であったが、2011年1月1日に東ウーシマー県とウーシマー県とが合併し、新たなウーシマー県が発足したため、東ウーシマー県は消滅し、県の数は19となった。

OECDは、フィンランドは世界で最も地方分権が進んでいる国の一つだと評している。

県の一覧

県名	県庁所在地	旧所属州	地図
ラッピ県	ロヴァニエミ	ラッピ州	ラッピ県 北ポフヤ ンマー県 カイヌー県 北カルヤラ県 北サヴォ県 南サヴォ県 　 南ポフ ヤンマー県 ポフヤ ンマー県 ピルカ ンマー県 サタク ンタ県 中部ポフ ヤンマー県 　　　 中央スオミ県 南西ス オミ県 南カルヤラ県 パイヤト ＝ハメ県 カンタ＝ ハメ県 ウーシマー県 キュ 　 メンラー クソ県 オーランド自治県
北ポフヤンマー県	オウル	オウル州
カイヌー県	カヤーニ	オウル州
北カルヤラ県	ヨエンスー	東スオミ州
北サヴォ県	クオピオ	東スオミ州
南サヴォ県	ミッケリ	東スオミ州
南ポフヤンマー県	セイナヨキ	西スオミ州
中部ポフヤンマー県	コッコラ	西スオミ州
ポフヤンマー県	ヴァーサ	西スオミ州
ピルカンマー県	タンペレ	西スオミ州
中央スオミ県	ユヴァスキュラ	西スオミ州
サタクンタ県	ポリ	西スオミ州
南西スオミ県	トゥルク	西スオミ州
南カルヤラ県	ラッペーンランタ	南スオミ州
パイヤト＝ハメ県	ラハティ	南スオミ州
カンタ＝ハメ県	ハメーンリンナ	南スオミ州
ウーシマー県	ヘルシンキ	南スオミ州
キュメンラークソ県	コトカ	南スオミ州
オーランド自治県	マリエハムン	オーランド自治州

地理

詳細は「フィンランドの地理」を参照

ラップランド

南東部の風景

ヨーロッパ北東部に位置し、北欧ないし北東欧と呼ばれる。北側はノルウェー、西側はスウェーデンと国境を接する。西はボスニア湾、南西はバルト海、南はフィンランド湾に面する。ボスニア湾の対岸はスウェーデン、フィンランド湾の対岸はエストニアである。東から南東にかけてはロシアと陸上で国境を接する。なお、スカンジナビア半島には含まれない。

国土の大半は平坦な地形で、氷河に削られて形成された湖が無数に点在する。植生はタイガと地衣類が多い。また森林には粘菌が多様に生息する。

首都のヘルシンキは国の最南部に位置し、フィンランド湾に面する。国土の大半が寒冷な気候であることから、ヘルシンキを始めとする規模の大きな都市はその多くが国の南部に偏在している。

フィンランドにある大きめの湖は以下の通り。

• ネシ湖
• パイエンネ湖
• サイマー湖
• オリ湖
• ピエリネン湖
• オウル湖
• ロッカ湖
• イナリ湖

経済

詳細は「フィンランドの経済」を参照

国内最大企業Nokiaの本社ビル

人口とGDPの規模が日本の北海道とほぼ同じフィンランドは、1980年代以降、農業と林業中心の経済体制から、携帯電話の生産量が世界1位になるなどのハイテク産業を基幹とする工業先進国へと著しい変化を遂げることに成功した。特に、150年前からある老舗企業のノキア（NOKIA）やLinuxが有名である。高い教育水準なども影響した結果、ヨーロッパ内でも有数の経済大国となった。世界経済フォーラム（WEF）が毎年発表する国際経済競争力の順位では、2001年から2004年までと4年連続首位となった（2002年は一旦、2位と発表されたがその後の再評価で1位に修正された）。現在では付加価値ベースで71.2%をサービス業が占めている。

ナショナル・フラッグ・キャリアはフィンランド航空だが、政府は既に株式の半数以上を売却している。

労働市場

「ネオ・コーポラティズム」も参照

労・使・国の3者協議によるネオ・コーポラティズムを採用する。年間労働時間は平均で1672時間。タイムバンキングという制度があり、多忙な時期に残業して、暇な時期に余計に休めるという制度が存在する。1994年に16.6%まで上昇した失業率は不況からの脱却とともに年々改善を続け、2012年には7.7%まで下がった。

労働年齢層の就業率は男性70.6%、女性68.2%（2012年）と、女性の労働力化が進んでおり、特に法律家・医師は女性が半数を占めている。企業で高い地位を占める女性も増えているが、男性に比べるとまだ少ない。女性は男性に比べ正社員として雇用されにくい傾向があり、若い世代の女性で契約期間付き雇用が多い（20代女性の4割が派遣社員）。

しかし女性の労働力化によってGDPや購買力が増加する一方でロシア人やバルト三国から流入する女性労働者も増えており、特に売春などの性産業に従事する者が多い。2008年時点ではフィンランド国内に8,000人もの売春婦が存在しているとする見方もある。

交通

VRグループの鉄道路線図

航空

• フィンエアー(フィンランド航空)
• エア・オーランド
• トゥルク・エア
• フライビー・フィンランド
• ブルーワン

鉄道

• VRグループ
• カレリアントレインズ
• フィンランド鉄道庁
• ヘルシンキ近郊列車
• ヘルシンキ地下鉄
• ヘルシンキ・トラム

国民

民族構成（フィンランド）
フィン人			92%
スウェーデン人			5%
その他			3%

フィンランドの人口ピラミッド(2012)

詳細は「w:Demographics of Finland」を参照

特徴的な事柄を挙げるとすれば、男女同権思想がある。生産性の低い土地に住んでいたためか、農業時代から女性も男性と同じくらい働き、発言権を持っていた。フィンランドで普通選挙が導入されたとき、ヨーロッパ初の女性参政権も当然のように付属していたのはフィンランドならではである。2015年現在も女性の社会進出は世界最高レベルで、労働市場における女性比率は40%に達するが、これはアファーマティヴ・アクション制やクオータ制のようなフェミニズムプログラム無しで達成している。

政治においては、フィンランドの国会議員は定数の3分の1以上に当たる76人の女性議員がいる（2015年現在）。しかし、一方で兵役は男子のみの義務である（女子は志願制）。

また、俗説としてフィンランド人は「恥ずかしがりや」であり、サウナの様に集団で集まりやすい場を大切にし、顔を合わせずに会話の出来る電話や携帯電話の普及が速かったと言われる。ヨーロッパで「フィンランド人は無口で、話す時は独特の抑揚のない言語で不機嫌そうにしゃべる」というステレオタイプの印象が元になった。

民族

民族比率は、フィン人が91.7%、スウェーデン人（スウェーデン系フィンランド人）が5.5%、サーミ人が0.1%、ロマ人が0.1%。2010年の統計によると外国人は167,954人（2.7%）と少なく、大部分がロシア人とエストニア人である。そのため、他の北欧諸国に見られるような移民問題は比較的少ない。

言語

使用されている言語は、フィンランド語が93.4%、スウェーデン語が5.9%で、この2言語が公用語である。1919年に制定された。サーミ人は、サーミ語を使用し、1970年代にその地位は向上した。1999年の憲法改正により、準公用語と明記された。同時にロマ人その他の少数民族に対する配慮も加えられている。また、ロシア語を母語とするロシアからのいわゆる帰還者は最近増加しつつある。スウェーデン語は、すでにフィンランドに根を下ろしており、少数派とは言え、企業、産業界で影響力を持ち、政府にも主要政党を持っているため、公用語問題は歴史的な問題であった。これに対しロシア語は1世紀にわたり支配社会の上層部にのみ影響をあたえただけで、国民に浸透することはなかった。これはロシア語を蛮族の言語として認識していた者がいたからである。一方のスウェーデン語は一部で高貴な言語として認識され受け入れられた。

宗教

フィンランド福音ルター派教会のトゥルク大聖堂

宗教は、フィンランド福音ルター派教会が78%、フィンランド正教会が1.1%、他の宗教（ローマ・カトリック教会、ユダヤ教、イスラム教）と無宗教20%である。フィンランド福音ルター派教会とフィンランド正教会は国教として扱われており、政府が国民から直接税の形で集めた教会税によって資金的援助を受けている。しかし、近年では国民の信仰心の低下や、政教分離の意見の高まりなどから、教会への支援は世論からの支持を受けなくなる傾向にあり、それにともない「教会税」も毎年、減少傾向にある。

婚姻

婚姻する際には、夫婦別姓、夫婦同姓、相手の姓の付加（後置）、を選択することができる。

社会

OECDの人生満足度（Life Satisfaction）では第6位、世界幸福度レポートでは世界7位（2013年）、世界幸福地図では第6位、The Earth Instituteによる国民総幸福量（GNH）では世界2位（2012年）であると報告された。

保健

詳細は「フィンランドの医療」を参照

フィンランド人の平均寿命は、2015年では平均で80.77歳（男性77.82歳、女性83.86歳）であった。およそ市民307人あたり1人の医師がいる。 公営の保健センターが整備され、総合診療医（GP）によるプライマリケアが提供される。

GDPあたり保健支出は9.0%。医療費のおよそ18.9%は自己負担であり、76.6％は租税負担となる。近年のランセット誌の研究によれば、フィンランドは193ヶ国の中で死産率が最も低く、英国・フランス・ニュージーランドよりも低い。

課題としては、他のOECD諸国と同じように人口高齢化があり、65歳以上が人口の18.5%を占めている（2012年）。GDPに占める保健・介護費用も伸び続けており、2000年代は約6%台であったが、2060年には13%に達すると推測されている。医療費の約55%は65歳以上人口が占めており、また認知症患者も増え続けている。

教育

詳細は「w:Education in Finland」を参照

学校教育ではフィンランド語、スウェーデン語が必修であり（ただしオーランド諸島ではフィンランド語は必修ではない）、さらに英語やその他の言語の教育が行われている。本土のスウェーデン系国民は幼いころからテレビなどを通じて自然にフィンランド語を習得することが多いが、フィンランド系国民の多くは7年生（中学校の初年度）から学校でスウェーデン語の学習を始める。現在ではスウェーデン語より英語に重点がおかれており、小学3年生程度から英語の授業が始まる。さらに小学校高学年、また中学校でもその他の外国語を選択科目として履修できる。ただし外国語科目のカリキュラム等は自治体や学校により異なることがある。国民の外国語に対する関心も全般に高いため、4〜5ヶ国語を使いこなすフィンランド人も多い。

アールト大学

大学はすべて国立で無料であり、受験戦争はフランスや日本ほど厳しくはない。しかし、フィンランドの教育水準は世界トップで、教育における「フィンランドメソッド」が注目を集めている。生徒は競争による相対評価ではなく、達成度によって評価されるといわれている。ただし、これは学力の違いを無視した平等教育ではない。実際には高校入学は中学の成績に基づいて振り分けが行われている。また、中学校の教育に特筆されるのは三分の一の（成績の低い）生徒が特別学級に振り分けられるか、補習授業をうけていることである。このように学力による差別化および、低学力の生徒に対する個別の教育により落ちこぼれを学校ぐるみで防ぐ制度がフィンランドの教育の特徴である。

ユネスコの定義による高等教育機関（大学およびその他すべての高等教育機関・課程）の進学率は世界第二位の87パーセントである。（2004年度）2004年度に行われたOECD（経済協力開発機構）のPISA（学習到達度調査）では世界一である（ただし、OECDの調査自体には多くの問題点が指摘されている）。PISAは(1)読解力(2)数学リテラシー(3)科学リテラシーという三分野のみの調査を57カ国に対して行ったものである。

フィンランドの学校は週休二日制であり、教師は大学院卒が基本（ただし、これは特に教師に限ったことではない。また「大学院」の位置づけも日本とまったく同一とはいえない）、授業時間も日本よりかなり少なく、また「総合的な学習」に相当する時間は日本より多い。近年、日本で批判されている「ゆとり教育」に一見似ているが、家庭学習を重視し宿題が比較的多く、成績別教育により成績下位者への支援態勢が特に手厚くなっているなど、その実態はかなり異なる。制度的にも教育内容や教授方法への教育行政の指示が少なく、分権化が進んでいること、義務教育にも留年制度があること、小学校から大学まで多くの学校で学費が無料であることなどの違いがある。

1943年の法により、小中学校および高校と職業学校における給食は完全に無料である。

市民活動

フィンランドにはNPOが約7-8万存在し、国民の5人に4人がNPOに参加している。他の北欧諸国と同様に、世界で最も参加率の高い国の一つである。

文化

詳細は「フィンランドの文化」を参照

フィンランドの民族叙事詩『カレワラ』の、1849年版（新カレワラ）。

小説家、ミカ・ワルタリ。

ジャン・シベリウス。

マリスカ（Mariska）はヒップホップ音楽家。

フィンランド人の図書館利用率は世界有数であり、月に1回以上は図書館に行き、月に20冊以上の本やDVDを無料で借りている。

また、サウナは約200万あるとされ。フィンランド国民全員が入っても余裕があるという。フィンランド人にとってサウナは神聖な場所であり、「教会のように振る舞う」という格言がある。

食文化

詳細は「フィンランド料理」を参照

ソーセージは国民食とされ、これによって女性の社会進出を後押しした。

またアルコールは国営企業による専売制である。キシリトールはフィンランドの大学の発見である。

文学

詳細は「フィンランド文学」を参照

19世紀にエリアス・リョンロートによって編纂された民族叙事詩『カレワラ』が存在する。

音楽

詳細は「フィンランドの文化#音楽」および「w:Music of Finland」を参照

フィンランド人の音楽界での活躍は目覚しく、人口に比しても世界的な音楽家を数多く輩出している。ジャン・シベリウスに代表されるクラシック音楽や、ジャズ、ポップ、ロックやヘヴィメタルなどのポピュラー音楽が普及しており、少数民族サーミ人によるヨイクという民族音楽もある。

映画

詳細は「フィンランドの映画」を参照

デザイン・テキスタイル

• マリメッコは、ケネディ大統領夫人ジャクリーンがそのワンピースを着たことでも有名な、ファブリック・テキスタイルメーカー。
• イッタラは、ガラス製品をはじめとするデザイン性の高いテーブルウェアの総合メーカー。
• アラビア社は、ムーミンの陶器で名高い。アラビア社はイッタラグループの子会社でもある。
• ノキアは、機能性の高さや使いやすさだけでなく、美しいデザインで知られる携帯電話メーカー。
• HONKAは、世界No.1のログハウスメーカー。

世界大会

奥様運び大会の常勝国エストニア・スタイル

どこの国にも地域おこしを兼ねた祭り的イベントは数多くあるが、フィンランドは名物やゆかりの行事などを競技化した奇妙な大会をいくつも開催している。様々な大会を「世界選手権」と銘打っていて、その中には世界的に有名となり各国から参加者が訪れる大会もある。

エア・ギター世界選手権大会（オウル州 オウル）

2006年と2007年にダイノジおおちが優勝。金剛地武志も入賞している。

奥様運び大会（東スオミ州北サヴォ県 ソンカヤルヴィ）

優勝者には、奥様の体重（最低49kg以上）と同じ量のビールが贈られる。

携帯電話投げ世界選手権大会（サイマー湖地方 サヴォンリンナ）

「この近代機器によってもたらされるすべてのフラストレーションや失望に返報するのが目的」で開催。優勝者には新しい携帯電話が贈られる。89m飛ばした選手もいる。

世界サウナ選手権大会 （南スオミ州ヘイノラ）

サウナ我慢大会。2004年に笑福亭鶴瓶が挑戦。優勝者にはモロッコのアガディールで過ごす1週間の旅が贈られる。

アヴァント水泳世界選手権大会; w:en:Avantouinti Ice Hole Swimming Championships （ラップランド州 ムオニオなど）

凍結した湖や海の表面に穴をあけて行う水泳競技。

国際雪合戦大会 International Snowball Fight Competitions（ラップランド州 ケミヤルヴィ）

ケミヤルヴィの姉妹都市である北海道胆振支庁壮瞥町から紹介された"Yukigassen"が国際大会へと発展したもの。

コケモモ摘み世界選手権大会 The World Championships of Berry Picking （オウル州 スオムッサルミ）

1時間でどれだけのコケモモが摘めるかを競う競技。

泥サッカー世界選手権大会 Swamp Soccer World Championships（オウル州 カイヌー県 ヒリンサルミ）

沼地で行うサッカー大会。同じ場所で冬季には深雪サッカー選手権が行われる。

アクア・ジョギング世界選手権大会 Aquajogging World Championships （西スオミ州 ペタヤベシ）

水中でジョギングを行う競技。

世界遺産

詳細は「フィンランドの世界遺産」を参照

フィンランド国内には、ユネスコの世界遺産リストに登録された文化遺産が6件、自然遺産が1件存在する。

祝祭日

日付	日本語表記	フィンランド語表記	備考
1月1日	元日	Uudenvuodenpäivä
1月6日	公現祭	Loppiainen
移動祝祭日	聖金曜日	Pitkäperjantai
移動祝祭日	復活祭	Pääsiäispäivä
移動祝祭日	復活祭後の月曜日	Toinen Pääsiäispäivä
5月1日	メーデー	Vappu
移動祝祭日	主の昇天	Helatorstai	復活祭から40日後
移動祝祭日	聖霊降臨祭	Helluntaipäivä	復活祭から50日後
移動祝祭日	夏至前夜祭	Juhannusaatto
移動祝祭日	夏至祭	Juhannuspäivä
移動祝祭日	諸聖人の日	Pyhäinpäivä
12月6日	独立記念日	Itsenäisyyspäivä
12月24日	クリスマス・イヴ	Jouluaatto
12月25日	クリスマス	Joulupäivä
12月26日	ボクシング・デー	Tapaninpäivä

スポーツ

詳細は「フィンランドのスポーツ」および「w:Sport in Finland」を参照

パーヴォ・ヌルミ

他の欧州諸国とは異なり、フィンランドにおいてサッカーは最も人気を集めるスポーツではなく、そのため弱小国の一つにすぎなかった。しかし、近年は着実に力をつけており最も直近の北欧選手権では初優勝を果たしている。個人ではヤリ・リトマネンやサミ・ヒーピアなどがスペイン、イングランドのトップクラブに所属するなどし、近年は欧州でも中堅の地位を堅めつつある。

国民の関心ではサッカーよりもアイスホッケーが人気である。トリノオリンピックではサク・コイブらの活躍で銀メダルを獲得している。また1995年と2011年の世界選手権で優勝している。

野球をサッカー場や陸上競技場でもできるように改良したペサパッロ（フィンランド野球）は国技である。

また、北国なのでウィンタースポーツも盛んである。スキーでは冬季オリンピックなどで多くの選手が活躍。ジャンプ競技ではマッティ・ニッカネン、ヤンネ・アホネンなどの英雄を輩出。ノルディックコンバインドではサンパ・ラユネン、ハンヌ・マンニネンが英雄である。また最近ではスノーボードも人気が出てきた。クロスカントリースキーやスキーオリエンテーリングも盛んである。アイスホッケーはNHLにプロ選手を送り出すほどの選手層の厚さを誇る。トリノオリンピックでは歴史的に因縁あるスウェーデンと初の北欧決勝対決を繰り広げ、第1ピリオドでは1-0でリードしながらも2-3で惜敗。銀メダルを獲得している。またフィギュアスケートでは、特に女子において近年世界トップレベルの選手が育ってきている。

注目すべきはモータースポーツの分野で、F1では、ケケ・ロズベルグ、J.J.レート、ミカ・ハッキネン、ミカ・サロ、キミ・ライコネン、ヘイキ・コバライネン、WRCでは、アリ・バタネン、ヘンリ・トイボネン、ティモ・サロネン、ユハ・カンクネン、トミ・マキネン、マーカス・グロンホルム、ミッコ・ヒルボネン、ヤリ・マティ・ラトバラなどの優れたドライバーを多数輩出しており、世界チャンピオンも少なくない。このように速いドライバーの事を「フライング・フィン」と呼ぶほどである。このフライング・フィンは、陸上競技の長距離種目で活躍したハンネス・コーレマイネンやパーヴォ・ヌルミを称したのが始まりであるが、さまざまなスポーツの選手でこの愛称が使われている。最近では、F1の2007年世界チャンピオンにキミ・ライコネンが輝いた。この様な事から、モータースポーツ界では「優勝したければ、フィン（フィンランド人）を雇え」という格言が存在する。

他の北欧諸国同様にオリエンテーリングも盛んであり、強豪国のひとつである。代表的な選手としては、2010年にミンナ・カウッピがフィンランド年間最優秀スポーツ選手に選ばれている（en:Finnish_Sports_Personality_of_the_Year）。

オリンピックの開催経験もあり、1952年にヘルシンキオリンピックが行なわれた。

著名なフィンランド人

フィンランド人の一覧、スウェーデン系フィンランド人の一覧も参照。行頭の順位付けは、最も偉大なフィンランド人での順位。

• 1位 - カール・グスタフ・エミール・マンネルヘイム（軍人、政治家、第二次世界大戦中のフィンランド軍最高司令官、元大統領）
• 2位 - リスト・ヘイッキ・リュティ（政治家、元大統領、継続戦争開戦を決断）
• 3位 - ウルホ・ケッコネン（政治家、元大統領）
• 5位 - タルヤ・ハロネン（政治家、前大統領）
• 7位 - ミカエル・アグリコラ（16世紀の宗教改革者、フィンランド語の表記法を確立したフィンランド文学の父）
• 8位 - ジャン・シベリウス（作曲家、国民的叙事詩「カレワラ」に影響を受けた曲を多数作曲）
• 9位 - アレクシス・キヴィ（フィンランド語文学および演劇の創始者）
• 10位 - エリアス・リョンロート（医師、叙事詩「カレワラ」編纂者）
• 11位 - マッティ・ニッカネン（元スキージャンプ世界王者、フィンランドの英雄）
• 13位 - ヴィッレ・ヴァロ（HIMのボーカリスト兼作曲家）
• 16位 - リーナス・トーバルズ（Linux開発者）
• 19位 - トーベ・ヤンソン（画家、作家、ムーミンシリーズ作者）
• 21位 - パーヴォ・ヌルミ（1920年代の長距離走者、五輪で9個の金メダルと3個の銀メダルを獲得）
• 23位 - ユホ・クスティ・パーシキヴィ（元大統領、対ソ友好関係を重視するパーシキヴィ路線を確立）
• 24位 - ユーハン・ヴィルヘルム・スネルマン（哲学者、思想家、政治家）
• 31位 - ミカ・ワルタリ（作家、歴史小説「エジプト人」の著者）
• 32位 - ミカ・ハッキネン（元F1ドライバー。1998年、1999年ワールド・チャンピオン）
• 33位 - アルヴァ・アールト（建築家、モダニズムに対する人間的なアプローチで知られる）
• 35位 - タピオ・ラウタヴァーラ（やり投の陸上競技選手、五輪で1個の金メダルを獲得、歌手、俳優）
• 38位 - オットー・クーシネン（政治家、モスクワに亡命した元フィンランド社会民主党議長）
• 42位 - ヤリ・リトマネン（サッカー選手、フィンランド代表の最多出場記録と最多得点記録を持つストライカー）
• 45位 - アンネリ・ヤーテンマキ（政治家、同国初の女性首相）
• 47位 - カールロ・ユホ・ストールベリ（元初代大統領）
• 48位 - マウノ・コイヴィスト（元大統領、フィンランド初の左派系大統領）
• 56位 - アクセリ・ガッレン＝カッレラ（画家、叙事詩「カレワラ」に関連した絵画を数多く描いた）
• 58位 - キュオスティ・カッリオ（元大統領）
• 61位 - ラッセ・ビレン（陸上競技長距離選手、五輪で3個の金メダルを獲得）
• 64位 - アルトゥーリ・ヴィルタネン（化学者、糧秣の保存法の発見によりノーベル化学賞を受賞）
• 65位 - ニルス＝アスラク・ヴァルケアパー（サーミ人ミュージシャン）
• 67位 - ペール・スヴィンヒュー（元大統領、フィンランド内戦において反革命勢力を組織）
• 68位 - アキ・カウリスマキ（映画監督、「パラダイスの夕暮れ」「過去のない男」で知られる）
• 70位 - パーヴォ・リッポネン（元首相、元フィンランド社会民主党の党首）
• 72位 - サカリ・トペリウス（歴史家、作家）
• 74位 - シモ・ヘイヘ（軍人、史上最多の確認戦果505名射殺の記録を残している狙撃手、白い死神）
• 96位 - アクセル・アイロ（軍人、ラップランド戦争時、ドイツ軍に対する作戦の計画立案を指導）

政治

• マルティ・アハティサーリ（10代大統領、外交官、2008年ノーベル平和賞受賞）
• エスコ・アホ（首相・政治家）
• サウリ・ニーニスト（フィンランド国会議長、元副首相）

文化

• アレキシ・ライホ（チルドレン・オブ・ボドムのギタリスト兼ボーカリスト）
• エサ＝ペッカ・サロネン（指揮者、作曲家）
• エルッキ・メラルティン（作曲家）
• サカリ・オラモ（クラシック指揮者、1999バーミンガム市交響楽団音楽監督、2003フィンランド放送交響楽団主席指揮者）
• セリム・パルムグレン（作曲家・ピアニスト。俗に「北欧のショパン」と呼ばれる）
• ターヤ・トゥルネン（歌手。元ナイトウィッシュ）
• タイナ・エルグ（Taina Elg）（女優。ハリウッド映画で活躍）
• マイケル・モンロー（ハノイ・ロックスのボーカリスト）
• カルツュー・ハタッカ（ワルタリのベーシスト）
• ミカ・カウリスマキ（映画監督）
• ヨハン・ルードヴィグ・リューネベリ（作家、詩人）

スポーツ

• キミ・ライコネン（F1ドライバー。2007年ワールド・チャンピオン。元WRCドライバー）
• ヘイキ・コバライネン（F1ドライバー）
• ケケ・ロズベルグ（元F1ドライバー。1982年ワールド・チャンピオン）
• サミ・ヒーピア（サッカー選手）
• アリ・バタネン（WRC、パリ・ダカール・ラリーなどで活躍したラリードライバー。後に政治家、欧州連合議員も務めた）
• トミ・マキネン（元WRCドライバー。1995〜1998年ドライバーズ・チャンピオン）
• マーカス・グロンホルム（WRCドライバー）
• ユハ・カンクネン（元WRCドライバー）
• ミッコ・ヒルボネン（WRCドライバー）
• ハリ・ロバンペラ（WRCドライバー）
• ヤリ＝マティ・ラトバラ（WRCドライバー）
• トニ・ガルデマイスター（WRCドライバー）
• ヤンネ・アホネン（スキージャンパー）
• ヘンリ・トイボネン（WRCドライバー。1986年競技中事故死）
• マルク・アレン（元WRCドライバー）
• ミンナ・カウッピ（オリエンテーリング選手、2010年フィンランド年間最優秀スポーツ選手）
• キーラ・コルピ（女子フィギュアスケート選手 2006年トリノオリンピック出場）
• ラウラ・レピスト（女子フィギュアスケート選手 2009年ヨーロッパフィギュアスケート選手権優勝）
• ユシ・ヴァイカネン（自転車競技選手）
• キェル・カルストルム（自転車競技選手）
• テロ・ピトカマキ（陸上競技槍投げ）

脚注

参考文献

• OECD Economic Surveys: Finland 2014, OECD, (2014), doi:10.1787/eco_surveys-fin-2014-en, ISBN 9789264219519 
• イルッカ・タイパレ 『フィンランドを世界一に導いた100の社会改革―フィンランドのソーシャル・イノベーション』 公人の友社、2008年8月。ISBN 978-4875555315。 

関連項目

• 駐日フィンランド大使館
• フィンランド関係記事の一覧
• ラップランド
• かもめ食堂 - フィンランドを舞台にした邦画
• ベーシックインカム

外部リンク

政府

• フィンランド共和国政府 （フィンランド語）（スウェーデン語）（英語）
• フィンランド大統領府 （フィンランド語）（スウェーデン語）（英語）
• フィンランド首相府 （フィンランド語）（スウェーデン語）（英語）
• 在日フィンランド大使館 （英語）（日本語）（フィンランド語）（スウェーデン語）

日本政府

• 日本外務省 - フィンランド （日本語）
• 在フィンランド日本大使館 （日本語）

観光

• フィンランド政府観光局 （日本語）

その他

• JETRO - フィンランド （日本語）
• BetterLife Index Finalnd - OECD

wiki en

[Wiki en表示]

This article is about the European country. For other uses, see Finland (disambiguation).

Republic of Finland Suomen tasavalta  (Finnish) Republiken Finland  (Swedish)
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem:  Maamme  (Finnish) Vårt land  (Swedish) "Our Land"
Location of  Finland  (dark green) – in Europe  (green & dark grey) – in the European Union  (green)  –  [Legend]
Capital and largest city		Helsinki 60°10′N 024°56′E
Official languages		Finnish (88.67%) Swedish (5.29%)
Recognised regional languages		Sami (0.04%)
Religion		Lutheranism, Eastern Orthodoxy
Demonym		Finnish Finn
Government		Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
•	President	Sauli Niinistö
•	Prime Minister	Juha Sipilä
Legislature		Eduskunta
Formation
•	Autonomy within Russia	29 March 1809
•	Independence from the Russian SFSR	6 December 1917
•	First recognized by the Russian SFSR	4 January 1918
•	Joined the European Union	1 January 1995
Area
•	Total	338,424 km2 (64th) 130,596 sq mi
•	Water (%)	10
Population
•	March 2016 estimate	5,488,543 (113th)
•	2014 official	5,471,753
•	Density	18/km2 (201st) 46/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2016 estimate
•	Total	$234.578 billion
•	Per capita	$42,654
GDP (nominal)		2016 estimate
•	Total	$234.578 billion
•	Per capita	$41,690
Gini (2014)		25.6 low · 6th
HDI (2014)		0.883 very high · 24th
Currency		Euro (€) (EUR)
Time zone		EET (UTC+2)
•	Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Date format		dd.mm.yyyy
Drives on the		right
Calling code		+358
Patron saint		St Henry of Uppsala
ISO 3166 code		FI
Internet TLD		.fia
a.	The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union member states.

Finland (ⁱ/ˈfɪnlənd/; Finnish: Suomi [suomi]; Swedish: Finland [ˈfɪnland]), officially the Republic of Finland, is a sovereign state in Europe. A peninsula with the Gulf of Finland to the south and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west, the country has land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east. Estonia is south of the country across the Gulf of Finland. Finland is situated in the geographical region of Fennoscandia, which also includes Scandinavia. Finland's population is 5.5 million (2014), staying roughly on the same level over the past two decades. The majority of the population is concentrated in the southern region. In terms of area, it is the eighth largest country in Europe and the most sparsely populated country in the European Union.

Finland is a parliamentary republic with a central government based in the capital Helsinki, local governments in 317 municipalities, and an autonomous region, the Åland Islands. Over 1.4 million people live in the Greater Helsinki metropolitan area, which produces a third of the country's GDP. From the late 12th century, Finland was an integral part of Sweden, a legacy reflected in the prevalence of the Swedish language and its official status. In the spirit of the notion of Adolf Ivar Arwidsson (1791–1858), "we are no-longer Swedes, we do not want to become Russians, let us therefore be Finns", the Finnish national identity started to establish. Nevertheless, in 1809, Finland was incorporated into the Russian Empire as the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland. In 1906, Finland became the second nation in the world to give the right to vote to all adult citizens and the first in the world to give full suffrage to all adult citizens. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, Finland declared itself independent.

In 1918, the fledgling state was divided by civil war, with the Bolshevik-leaning "Reds" supported by the equally new Soviet Union, fighting the "Whites", supported by the German Empire. After a brief attempt to establish a kingdom, the country became a republic. During World War II, the Soviet Union sought repeatedly to occupy Finland, with Finland losing parts of Karelia, Salla and Kuusamo, Petsamo and some islands, but retaining independence. Finland joined the United Nations in 1955 and established an official policy of neutrality. The Finno-Soviet Treaty of 1948 gave the Soviet Union some leverage in Finnish domestic politics during the Cold War era. Finland joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1969, the NATO Partnership for Peace on 1994, the European Union in 1995, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997, and finally the Eurozone at its inception, in 1999.

Finland was a relative latecomer to industrialization, remaining a largely agrarian country until the 1950s. It rapidly developed an advanced economy while building an extensive Nordic-style welfare state, resulting in widespread prosperity and one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. However, since 2012 Finnish GDP growth has been negative, with a preceding nadir of −8% in 2009. Finland is a top performer in numerous metrics of national performance, including education, economic competitiveness, civil liberties, quality of life, and human development. In 2015, Finland was ranked first in the World Human Capital and the Press Freedom Index, and as the most stable country in the world in the Failed States Index, and second in the Global Gender Gap Report. A large majority of Finns are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, though freedom of religion is guaranteed under the Finnish Constitution.

Etymology

Etymology

See also: Finns § Etymology

The first known written appearance of the name Finland is thought to be on three rune-stones. Two were found in the Swedish province of Uppland and have the inscription finlonti (U 582). The third was found in Gotland, in the Baltic Sea. It has the inscription finlandi (G 319) and dates from the 13th century. The name can be assumed to be related to the tribe name Finns, which is mentioned first known time AD 98 (disputed meaning).

Suomi

The name Suomi (Finnish for "Finland") has uncertain origins, but a candidate for a source is the Proto-Baltic word *źemē, meaning "land". In addition to the close relatives of Finnish (the Finnic languages), this name is also used in the Baltic languages Latvian and Lithuanian. Alternatively, the Indo-European word *gʰm-on "man" (cf. Gothic guma, Latin homo) has been suggested, being borrowed as *ćoma. The word originally referred only to the province of Finland Proper, and later to the northern coast of Gulf of Finland, with northern regions such as Ostrobothnia still sometimes being excluded until later. Earlier theories suggested derivation from suomaa (fen land) or suoniemi (fen cape), and parallels between saame (Sami, a Finno-Ugric people in Lapland), and Häme (a province in the inland) were drawn, but these theories are now considered outdated.

Concept

Hakkapeliitta featured on a 1940 Finnish stamp

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the term "Finland" mostly referred to the area around Turku (Åbo), a region that later became known as Finland Proper, while the other parts of the country were called Tavastia and Karelia, but which could also sometimes be collectively referred to as "Österland" (compare Norrland). (Medieval politics concerned tribes such as the Finns, the Tavastians, and the Karelians more than geographical boundaries.)

In the 15th century, "Finland" became a common name for the whole land area to the east of the Bothnian Sea, possibly even including Åland, when the archipelago was seen as belonging to Åbo (Turku). What the term actually refers to can vary between sources, additionally, the boundaries to the east and the north were not exact. A sort of establishment of Finland as a united entity, if only in name, was made when John III of Sweden called his duchy the "grand duchy of Finland" (about 1580), as a strategy to meet the claims of the Russian tsar. The term became part of the title of the King of Sweden but had little practical meaning. The Finnish land area had the same standing as the area to the west of the Bothnian Sea, and the Finnish part of the realm had the same representation in the parliament as the western part. In 1637, Queen Christina named Per Brahe the Younger Governor General of Finland, Åland, and Ostrobothnia (other parts of Sweden had also had governor generals).

The modern boundaries of Finland actually came into existence only after the end of Sweden-Finland. What was signed over to Russia in 1809 was not so much "Finland" as six counties, Åland, and a small part of Västerbotten County. The boundary between the new Grand Duchy of Finland and the remaining part of Sweden could have been drawn along the river Kemijoki, the boundary at the time between Västerbotten County and Österbotten County (Ostrobothnia) — as proposed by the Swedes in the peace negotiations — or along the river Kalix, thereby including the Finnish-speaking part of Meänmaa — as proposed by the Russians. The actual boundary, which followed the Torne River and the Muonio River to the fells Saana and Halti in the northwest, was a compromise. The area it delineated was to become what was represented by the concept of Finland — at least after Tsar Alexander I of Russia permitted the parts of Finland located to the east of the Kymi River, which were conquered by Russia in 1721 and 1743, called "Old Finland", to be administratively included in "New Finland" in 1812.

History

Main article: History of Finland

Prehistory

Main article: History of Finland § Prehistory

According to archaeological evidence, the area now comprising Finland was settled at the latest around 8500 BCE during the Stone Age as the ice sheet of the last ice age receded. The artifacts the first settlers left behind present characteristics that are shared with those found in Estonia, Russia, and Norway. The earliest people were hunter-gatherers, using stone tools. The first pottery appeared in 5200 BCE, when the Comb Ceramic culture was introduced. The arrival of the Corded Ware culture in southern coastal Finland between 3000 and 2500 BCE may have coincided with the start of agriculture. Even with the introduction of agriculture, hunting and fishing continued to be important parts of the subsistence economy.

The Bronze Age (1500–500 BCE) and Iron Age (500 BCE–1200 CE) were characterised by extensive contacts with other cultures in the Fennoscandian and Baltic regions. There is no consensus on when Uralic languages and Indo-European languages were first spoken in the area of contemporary Finland. During the first millennium AD, early Finnish was spoken in agricultural settlements in southern Finland, whereas Sámi-speaking populations occupied most parts of the country. Although distantly related, the Sami are a different people that retained the hunter-gatherer lifestyle longer than the Finns. The Sami cultural identity and the Sami language have survived in Lapland, the northernmost province, but the Sami have been displaced or assimilated elsewhere.

Swedish era

Main article: Finland under Swedish rule

The Swedish Empire following the Treaty of Roskilde of 1658.

Dark green: Sweden proper, as represented in the Riksdag of the Estates. Other greens: Swedish dominions and possessions.

Now lying within Helsinki, Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of an inhabited 18th century sea fortress built on six islands. It is one of Finland's most popular tourist attractions.

As a part of Northern Crusades Swedish kings established their rule in Finland gradually during 12th and 13th centuries with first, second and third crusade against Finns proper, Tavastians and Karelians. Swedish-speaking settlers colonized the coastal regions during the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, Swedish became the dominant language of the nobility, administration, and education; Finnish was chiefly a language for the peasantry, clergy, and local courts in predominantly Finnish-speaking areas.

During the Protestant 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, during which about one third of the Finnish population died, and a devastating plague a few years later. In the 18th century, wars between Sweden and Russia twice led to the occupation of Finland by Russian forces, times known to the Finns as the Greater Wrath (1714–1721) and the Lesser Wrath (1742–1743). It is estimated that almost an entire generation of young men was lost during the Great Wrath, due namely to the destruction of homes and farms, and to the burning of Helsinki. By this time Finland was the predominant term for the whole area from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Russian border.

Two Russo-Swedish wars in twenty-five years served as reminders to the Finnish people of how precarious their position between Sweden and Russia was. An increasingly vocal elite in Finland soon determined that Finnish ties with Sweden were becoming too costly, and following Gustav III's War (1788–1790), the Finnish elite's desire to break with Sweden only heightened.

In the late eighteenth century a politically active portion of the Finnish nobility became convinced that, due to Sweden and Russia's repeated use of Finland as a battlefield, it would be in the country's best interests to seek autonomy. Even before the Russo-Swedish War of 1788–1790, there were conspiring Finns, among them Col G. M. Sprengtporten, who had supported Gustav III's coup in 1772. Sprengporten fell out with the king and resigned his commission in 1777. In the following decade he tried to secure Russian support for an autonomous Finland, and later became an adviser to Catherine II.

Notwithstanding the efforts of Finland's elite and nobility to break ties with Sweden, there was no genuine independence movement in Finland until the early twentieth century. As a matter of fact, at this time the Finnish peasantry was outraged by the actions of their elite and almost exclusively supported Gustav's actions against the conspirators. (The High Court of Turku condemned Sprengtporten as a traitor c. 1793.)

Russian Empire era

Main article: Grand Duchy of Finland

See also: Finland's language strife and Russification of Finland

On 29 March 1809, having been taken over by the armies of Alexander I of Russia in the Finnish War, Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy in the Russian Empire until the end of 1917. In 1811, Alexander I incorporated Russian Vyborg province into the Grand Duchy of Finland. During the Russian era, the Finnish language began to gain recognition. From the 1860s onwards, a strong Finnish nationalist movement known as the Fennoman movement grew. Milestones included the publication of what would become Finland's national epic – the Kalevala – in 1835, and the Finnish language's achieving equal legal status with Swedish in 1892.

Pioneers in Karelia (1900) by Eero Järnefelt

The Finnish famine of 1866–1868 killed 15% of the population, making it one of the worst 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. The GDP per capita was still half of that of the United States and a third of that of Britain.

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 autonomy. For example, the universal suffrage was, in practice, virtually meaningless, since the tsar did not have to approve any of the laws adopted by the Finnish parliament. Desire for independence gained ground, first among radical liberals and socialists.

Civil war and early independence

Main articles: Finnish Declaration of Independence and Finnish Civil War

After the 1917 February Revolution, the position of Finland as part of the Russian Empire was questioned, mainly by Social Democrats. Since the head of state was the tsar of Russia, it was not clear who the chief executive of Finland was after the revolution. The parliament, controlled by social democrats, passed the so-called Power Act to give the highest authority to parliament. This was rejected by the Russian Provisional Government which dissolved the parliament.

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.

White firing squad executing Red soldiers in Länkipohja, Längelmäki, in 1918.

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 the Bolsheviks took power in Russia. Rather than acknowledge the authority of the Power Law of a few months earlier, the right-wing government declared independence on 6 December 1917.

On 27 January 1918, the official opening shots of the war were fired in two simultaneous events. The government started to disarm the Russian forces in Pohjanmaa, and the Social Democratic Party staged a coup. The latter succeeded in controlling southern Finland and Helsinki, but the white government continued in exile from Vaasa. This sparked the brief but bitter civil war. The Whites, who were supported by Imperial Germany, prevailed over the Reds. 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 and would last until the Winter War and beyond. The civil war and activist expeditions into Soviet Russia strained Eastern relations.

After a brief flirtation with monarchy, Finland became a presidential republic, with Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg elected as its first president in 1919. The Finnish–Russian border was determined by the Treaty of Tartu in 1920, largely following the historic border but granting Pechenga (Finnish: Petsamo) and its Barents Sea harbour to Finland. Finnish democracy did not see any Soviet coup attempts and survived the anti-Communist Lapua Movement. The relationship between Finland and the Soviet Union was tense. Germany's relations with democratic Finland cooled also after the Nazis' rise to power. Army officers were trained in France, 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. About 70% of workers were occupied in agriculture and 10% in industry. The largest export markets were the United Kingdom and Germany.

World War II

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. Finland covered an area of approximately 385,000 km² (149,000 sq mi) before the handover.

Main article: Military history of Finland during World War II

During World War II, Finland fought the Soviet Union twice: in the Winter War of 1939–1940 after the Soviet Union had attacked Finland; and in the Continuation War of 1941–1944, following Operation Barbarossa, during which Finland aligned, however not allied, with Germany following its invasion of the Soviet Union. After fighting a major Soviet offensive in June/July 1944 to a standstill, Finland reached an armistice with the Soviet Union. This was followed by the Lapland War of 1944–1945, when Finland fought against the retreating German forces in 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 in addition to those in the Moscow Peace Treaty of 1940. As a result of the two wars, Finland was forced to cede most of Finnish Karelia, Salla, and Petsamo, which amounted to 10% of its land area and 20% of its industrial capacity, including the ports of Vyborg (Viipuri) and the ice-free Liinakhamari (Liinahamari). Almost the whole population, some 400,000 people, fled these areas. Finland was never occupied by Soviet forces; it retained its independence, however, at a loss of about 93,000 soldiers.

Finland rejected Marshall aid, in apparent deference to Soviet desires. However, the United States provided secret development aid and helped the (non-communist) Social Democratic Party in hopes of preserving Finland's independence. 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 agrarian economy to an industrialised one. For example, the Valmet corporation was founded to create materials for war reparations. Even after the reparations had been paid off, Finland—which was 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, 46% of Finnish workers worked in agriculture and a third lived in urban areas. 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. 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. 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.

Urho Kekkonen, the eighth president of Finland (1956–1982)

Officially claiming to be neutral, Finland lay in the grey zone between the Western countries and the Soviet Union. The 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" by the German press.

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 80s, Finland built one of the most extensive welfare states in the world. Finland negotiated with the EEC (a predecessor of the European Union) a treaty 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 its largest single trading partner (the Soviet Union), and a global economic downturn caused a deep early 1990s recession in Finland. The depression bottomed out in 1993, and Finland saw steady economic growth for more than ten years.

Recent history

Finland joined the European Union in 1995 and signed the Lisbon Treaty in 2007.

Like other Nordic countries, Finland has decentralised its economy since the late 1980s. Financial and product market regulation were 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. On 21 September 1990, Finland declared unilaterally the Paris Peace Treaty obsolete, following the German reunification decision nine days earlier.

The population is aging with the birth rate at 10.42 births per 1,000 population per year, or a fertility rate of 1.8. With a median age of 42.7 years, Finland is one of countries with most mature population; half of voters are estimated to be over 50 years old.

The Finnish markka was replaced by the euro 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 have the year 1999 on them, instead of 2002 like some of the other countries of the Eurozone. Three different designs (one for the €2 coin, one for the €1 coin and one for the other six coins) were 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 its coins.

Geography

Detailed map of Finland. (See also Atlas of Finland.)

Main article: Geography of Finland

See also: List of cities and towns in Finland, List of lakes in Finland, List of national parks of Finland, and Environmental issues in Finland

Lying approximately between latitudes 60° and 70° N, and longitudes 20° and 32° E, Finland is one of the world's northernmost countries. Of world capitals, only Reykjavík lies more to the north than Helsinki. The distance from the southernmost—Hanko—to the northernmost point in the country—Nuorgam—is 1,160 kilometres (720 mi).

Finland is a country of thousands of lakes and islands—about 188,000 lakes (larger than 500 m² or 0.12 acres) and 179,000 islands. Its largest lake, Saimaa, is the fourth largest in Europe. The area with the most lakes is called Finnish Lakeland. The greatest concentration of islands is found in the southwest in the Archipelago Sea between continental Finland and the main island of Åland.

Much of the geography of Finland is explained by the Ice Age. The glaciers were thicker and lasted longer in Fennoscandia compared with the rest of Europe. Their eroding effects have left the Finnish landscape mostly flat with few hills and fewer mountains. Its highest point, the Halti at 1,324 metres (4,344 ft), is found in the extreme north of Lapland at the border between Finland and Norway. The highest mountain whose peak is entirely in Finland is Ridnitsohkka at 1,316 m (4,318 ft), directly adjacent to Halti.

The whooper swan, Finland's national bird

The retreating glaciers have left the land with morainic deposits in formations of eskers. These are ridges of stratified gravel and sand, running northwest to southeast, where the ancient edge of the glacier once lay. Among the biggest of these are the three Salpausselkä ridges that run across southern Finland.

Having been compressed under the enormous weight of the glaciers, terrain in Finland is rising due to the post-glacial rebound. The effect is strongest around the Gulf of Bothnia, where land steadily rises about 1 cm (0.4 in) a year. As a result, the old sea bottom turns little by little into dry land: the surface area of the country is expanding by about 7 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi) annually. Relatively speaking, Finland is rising from the sea.

The landscape is covered mostly by coniferous taiga forests and fens, with little cultivated land. Of the total area 10% is lakes, rivers and ponds, and 78% forest. The forest consists of pine, spruce, birch, and other species. Finland is the largest producer of wood in Europe and among the largest in the world. 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. Gleysols and peat bogs occupy poorly drained areas.

Biodiversity

Main article: Fauna of Finland

Phytogeographically, Finland is shared between the Arctic, central European, and northern European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. According to the WWF, the territory of Finland can be subdivided into three ecoregions: the Scandinavian and Russian taiga, Sarmatic mixed forests, and Scandinavian Montane Birch forest and grasslands. Taiga covers most of Finland from northern regions of southern provinces to the north of Lapland. On the southwestern coast, south of the Helsinki-Rauma line, forests are characterized by mixed forests, that are more typical in the Baltic region. In the extreme north of Finland, near the tree line and Arctic Ocean, Montane Birch forests are common.

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is Finland's national animal.

Similarly, Finland has a diverse and extensive range of fauna. There are at least sixty native mammalian species, 248 breeding bird species, over 70 fish species, and 11 reptile and frog species present today, many migrating from neighboring countries thousands of years ago. Large and widely recognized wildlife mammals found in Finland are the brown bear (the national animal), gray wolf, wolverine, and elk. Three of the more striking birds are the whooper swan, a large European swan and the national bird of Finland; the capercaillie, a large, black-plumaged member of the grouse family; and the European eagle-owl. The latter is considered an indicator of old-growth forest connectivity, and has been declining because of landscape fragmentation. The most common breeding birds are the willow warbler, common chaffinch, and redwing. Of some seventy species of freshwater fish, the northern pike, perch, and others are plentiful. Atlantic salmon remains the favourite of 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.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Finland

Finland map of Köppen climate classification.

Koli National Park in North Karelia

Repovesi National Park in southeastern Finland

The main factor influencing Finland's climate is the country's geographical position between the 60th and 70th northern parallels in the Eurasian continent's coastal zone. In the Köppen climate classification, the whole of Finland lies in the boreal zone, characterized by warm summers and freezing winters. Within the country, the temperateness varies considerably between the southern coastal regions and the extreme north, showing characteristics of both a maritime and a continental climate. Finland is near enough to the Atlantic Ocean to be continuously warmed by the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream combines with the moderating effects of the Baltic Sea and numerous inland lakes to explain the unusually warm climate compared with other regions that share the same latitude, such as Alaska, Siberia, and southern Greenland.

Winters in southern Finland (when mean daily temperature remains below 0 °C or 32 °F) are usually about 100 days long, and in the inland the snow typically covers the land from about late November to April, and on the coastal areas such as Helsinki, snow often covers the land from late December to late March. Even in the south, the harshest winter nights can see the temperatures fall to −30 °C (−22 °F) although on coastal areas like Helsinki, temperatures below −30 °C (−22 °F) are very rare. Climatic summers (when mean daily temperature remains above 10 °C or 50 °F) in southern Finland last from about late May to mid-September, and in the inland, the warmest days of July can reach over 35 °C (95 °F). Although most of Finland lies on the taiga belt, the southernmost coastal regions are sometimes classified as hemiboreal.

Pyhä-Luosto National Park, Lapland

In northern Finland, particularly in Lapland, the winters are long and cold, while the summers are relatively warm but short. The most severe winter days in Lapland can see the temperature fall down to −45 °C (−49 °F). The winter of the north lasts for about 200 days with permanent snow cover from about mid-October to early May. Summers in the north are quite short, only two to three months, but can still see maximum daily temperatures above 25 °C (77 °F) during heat waves. No part of Finland has Arctic tundra, but Alpine tundra can be found at the fells Lapland.

The Finnish climate is suitable for cereal farming only in the southernmost regions, while the northern regions are suitable for animal husbandry.

A quarter of Finland's territory lies within the Arctic Circle and 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.

Regions

Main article: Regions of Finland

Finland consists of 19 regions called maakunta in Finnish and landskap in Swedish. The regions are governed by regional councils which serve as forums of cooperation for the municipalities of a region. The main tasks of the regions are regional planning and development of enterprise and education. In addition, the public health services are usually organized on the basis of regions. Currently, the only region where a popular election is held for the council is Kainuu. Other regional councils are elected by municipal councils, each municipality sending representatives in proportion to its population.

In addition to inter-municipal cooperation, which is the responsibility of regional councils, each region has a state Employment and Economic Development Centre which is responsible for the local administration of labour, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and entrepreneurial affairs. The Finnish Defence Forces regional offices are responsible for the regional defence preparations and for the administration of conscription within the region.

Regions represent dialectal, cultural, and economic variations better than the former provinces, which were purely administrative divisions of the central government. Historically, regions are divisions of historical provinces of Finland, areas which represent dialects and culture more accurately.

Six Regional State Administrative Agencies were created by the state of Finland in 2010, each of them responsible for one of the regions called alue in Finnish and region in Swedish; in addition, Åland was designated a seventh region. These take over some of the tasks of the earlier Provinces of Finland (the läänis), which were abolished.

Lapland  Northern Ostrobothnia  Kainuu  North Karelia  Northern Savonia  Southern Savonia  Southern Ostrobothnia  Ostrobothnia  Pirkanmaa  Satakunta  Central Ostrobothnia  Central Finland  Southwest Finland  South Karelia  Päijänne Tavastia  Tavastia Proper  Uusimaa  Kymenlaakso  Åland Islands

In English In Finnish In Swedish Capital Regional state administrative agency Lapland Lappi Lappland Rovaniemi Lapland Northern Ostrobothnia Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Norra Österbotten Oulu Northern Finland Kainuu Kainuu Kajanaland Kajaani Northern Finland North Karelia Pohjois-Karjala Norra Karelen Joensuu Eastern Finland Northern Savonia Pohjois-Savo Norra Savolax Kuopio Eastern Finland Southern Savonia Etelä-Savo Södra Savolax Mikkeli Eastern Finland Southern Ostrobothnia Etelä-Pohjanmaa Södra Österbotten Seinäjoki Western and Central Finland Central Ostrobothnia Keski-Pohjanmaa Mellersta Österbotten Kokkola Western and Central Finland Ostrobothnia Pohjanmaa Österbotten Vaasa Western and Central Finland Pirkanmaa Pirkanmaa Birkaland Tampere Western and Central Finland Central Finland Keski-Suomi Mellersta Finland Jyväskylä Western and Central Finland Satakunta Satakunta Satakunta Pori South-Western Finland Southwest Finland Varsinais-Suomi Egentliga Finland Turku South-Western Finland South Karelia Etelä-Karjala Södra Karelen Lappeenranta Southern Finland Päijänne Tavastia Päijät-Häme Päijänne-Tavastland Lahti Southern Finland Tavastia Proper Kanta-Häme Egentliga Tavastland Hämeenlinna Southern Finland Uusimaa Uusimaa Nyland Helsinki Southern Finland Kymenlaakso Kymenlaakso Kymmenedalen Kouvola Southern Finland Åland Islands Ahvenanmaa Åland Mariehamn Åland

The region of Eastern Uusimaa was consolidated with Uusimaa on 1 January 2011.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Administrative divisions of Finland, Regions of Finland, Sub-regions of Finland, Municipalities of Finland, and Historical provinces of Finland

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 2015, there are 317 municipalities, and most have fewer than 6,000 residents.

In addition to municipalities, two intermediate levels are defined. Municipalities co-operate in seventy sub-regions and nineteen regions. These are governed by the member municipalities and have only limited powers. The autonomous province of Åland has a permanent democratically elected regional council. In the Kainuu region, there is a pilot project underway with regional elections. Sami people have a semi-autonomous Sami Domicile Area in 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 31 March 2016. The capital region – comprising Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen – forms a continuous conurbation of over 1.1 million people. However, common administration is limited to voluntary cooperation of all municipalities, e.g. in Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council.

City	Population	Land area	Density	Regional Map	Population Map
Helsinki	629,512	213.75	2,945.09	Municipalities (thin borders) and regions (thick borders) of Finland (2009).	Population map of Finland
Espoo	270,416	312.26	866
Tampere	225,485	525.03	429.47
Vantaa	215,813	238.37	905.37
Oulu	198,804	1,410.17	140.98
Turku	186,030	245.67	757.24
Jyväskylä	137,392	1,170.99	117.33
Kuopio	112,158	1,597.39	70.21
Lahti	118,885	135.05	880.3
Kouvola	85,808	2,558.24	33.54
Pori	85,256	834.06	102.22
Joensuu	75,557	2,381.76	31.72
Lappeenranta	72,868	1,433.36	50.84
Hämeenlinna	67,914	1,785.76	38.03
Vaasa	67,495	188.81	357.48

Further information: List of Finnish municipalities, List of Finnish municipalities by population, List of Finnish municipalities by area, and Former municipalities of Finland

Politics

Main article: Politics of Finland

See also: List of political parties in Finland and Human rights in Finland

Constitution

The Constitution of Finland defines the political system. Finland is a parliamentary democracy, and the prime minister is the country's most powerful politician. The constitution in its current form came into force on 1 March 2000, and was amended on 1 March 2012. Citizens can run and vote in parliamentary, municipal, and presidential elections, and in European Union elections.

President

Main article: President of Finland

The head of state of Finland is president of the Republic of Finland (in Finnish Suomen tasavallan presidentti, in Swedish republiken Finlands president). Finland has for most of its independence had a semipresidential system, but in last decades the powers of the President of Finland have been diminished. In constitution amendments, which came into effect in 1991 or 1992, 2000 and 2012, the President's position has become primarily ceremonary. However, the President still leads the nation's foreign politics together with the Council of state and is the chief-in-command of the Defence Forces. The position still does entail some powers, including responsibility for foreign policy (excluding affairs related to the European Union) in cooperation with the cabinet, being the head of the armed forces, some decree powers, and some appointive powers. Direct, one- or two-stage elections are used to elect the president for a term of six years and for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The current president is Sauli Niinistö; he took office on 1 March 2012. The former presidents were K. J. Ståhlberg (1919–1925), L. K. Relander (1925–1931), P. E. Svinhufvud (1931–1937), Kyösti Kallio (1937–1940), Risto Ryti (1940–1944), C. G. E. Mannerheim (1944–1946), J. K. Paasikivi (1946–1956), Urho Kekkonen (1956–1982), Mauno Koivisto (1982–1994), Martti Ahtisaari (1994–2000), and Tarja Halonen (2000–2012).

The current president was elected from the ranks of the National Coalition Party, first time since 1946. Until that the presidency was held by socialists or agrarian party.

Parliament

Main article: Parliament of Finland

The Parliament of Finland's main building.

The 200-member unicameral Parliament of Finland called Eduskunta exercises supreme legislative authority. It may alter the constitution and ordinary laws, dismiss the cabinet, and override presidential vetoes. Its acts are not subject to judicial review; the constitutionality of new laws is assessed by the parliament's constitutional law committee. The parliament is elected for a term of four years using the proportional D'Hondt method within a number of multi-seat constituencies through open list multi-member districts. Various parliament committees listen to experts and prepare legislation. The speaker is currently Maria Lohela (Finns Party).

Since universal suffrage was introduced in 1906, the parliament has been dominated by the Centre Party (former Agrarian Union), the National Coalition Party (conservatives), and the Social Democrats. These parties have enjoyed approximately equal support, and their combined vote has totalled about 65–80% of all votes. Their lowest common total of MPs, 121, was reached in the 2011 elections. For a few decades after 1944, the Communists were a strong fourth party. Due to the electoral system of proportional representation, and the relative reluctance of voters to switch their support between parties, the relative strengths of the parties have commonly varied only slightly from one election to another. However, there have been some long-term trends, such as the rise and fall of the Communists during the Cold War; the steady decline into insignificance of the Liberal party and its predecessors from 1906 to about 1980; and the rise of the Green party and its predecessor since 1983. In the 2011 elections, the True Finns achieved exceptional success, increasing its representation from 5 to 39 seats, and thus surpassing the Centre Party.

The autonomous province of Åland, which forms a federacy with Finland, elects one member to the parliament, who traditionally joins the parliamentary group of the Swedish People's Party of Finland. (The province also holds elections for its own permanent regional council, and in the 2011 elections, Åland Centre was the largest party.)

Finland
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Finland
State Constitution Declaration of Independence Human rights
Executive President (list) Sauli Niinistö Prime Minister (list) Juha Sipilä Cabinet Executive departments
Legislative 37th Parliament Speaker: Maria Lohela
Judiciary General Courts Supreme Court Courts of Appeal District Courts Administrative Courts Supreme Administrative Court Regional Administrative Courts Prosecutor General Matti Kuusimäki Chancellor of Justice Jaakko Jonkka
Recent elections Parliamentary: 2007 2011 2015 Presidential: 2000 2006 2012 European: 2004 2009 2014
Political parties National Coalition Party (KOK) Social Democratic Party (SDP) Finns Party (formerly True Finns, PS) Centre Party (KESK) Left Alliance (VAS) Green League (VIHR) Swedish People's Party (RKP) Christian Democrats (KD) Politicians
Administrative divisions Regions (Maakunnat, Landskap) Sub-regions (Seutukunnat, Ekonomiska regioner) Municipalities (Kunnat, Kommuner)
Foreign relations Ambassadors
Other countries Atlas

The Parliament can be dissolved by a recommendation of the Prime minister endorsed by the President. This procedure has never been used, although the parliament was dissolved several times under the pre-2000 constitution, when this action was the sole prerogative of the president.

After the parliamentary elections on 19 April 2015, the seats were divided among eight parties as follows:

Party	Seats	Net gain/loss	% of seats	% of votes
Centre Party	49	+14	24.5	21.1
Finns Party	38	−1	19.0	17.7
National Coalition Party	37	−7	18.5	18.2
Social Democratic Party	34	−8	17.0	16.5
Green League	15	+5	7.5	8.5
Left Alliance	12	−2	6.0	7.1
Swedish People's Party	9	0	4.5	4.9
Christian Democrats	5	−1	2.5	3.5
Others	1a	0	0.5	0.6
a Province of Åland's representative.

Cabinet

After parliamentary elections, the parties negotiate among themselves on forming a new cabinet (the Finnish Government), which then has to be approved by a simple majority vote in the parliament. The cabinet can be dismissed by a parliamentary vote of no confidence, although this rarely happens (the last time in 1957), as the parties represented in the cabinet usually make up a majority in the parliament.

The cabinet exercises most executive powers, and originates most of the bills that the parliament then debates and votes on. It is headed by the Prime Minister of Finland, and consists of him or her, of other ministers, and of the Chancellor of Justice. The current prime minister is Juha Sipilä (Centre Party). Each minister heads his or her ministry, or, in some cases, has responsibility for a subset of a ministry's policy. After the prime minister, the most powerful minister is the minister of finance, the incumbent Minister of Finance is Alexander Stubb.

As no one party ever dominates the parliament, Finnish cabinets are multi-party coalitions. As a rule, the post of prime minister goes to the leader of the biggest party and that of the minister of finance to the leader of the second biggest.

Law

Main articles: Law of Finland and Judicial system of Finland

The judicial system of Finland is a civil law system divided between courts with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and administrative courts with jurisdiction over litigation between 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, tingsrätt), regional appellate courts (hovioikeus, hovrätt), and the Supreme Court (korkein oikeus, högsta domstolen). The administrative branch of justice consists of administrative courts (hallinto-oikeus, förvaltningsdomstol) and the Supreme Administrative Court (korkein hallinto-oikeus, högsta förvaltningsdomstolen). In addition to the regular courts, there are a few special courts in certain branches of administration. There is also a High Court of Impeachment for criminal charges against certain high-ranking officeholders.

Around 92% of residents have confidence in Finland's security institutions. 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. A day fine system is in effect and also applied to offenses such as speeding.

Finland has successfully fought against government corruption, which was more common in the 1970s and 80s. For instance, economic reforms and EU membership introduced stricter requirements for open bidding and many public monopolies were abolished. Today, Finland has a very low number of corruption charges; Transparency International ranks Finland as one of the least corrupt countries in Europe.

In 2008, Transparency International criticized the lack of transparency of the system of Finnish political finance. According to GRECO in 2007, corruption should be taken into account in the Finnish system of election funds better. A scandal revolving around campaign finance of the 2007 parliamentary elections broke out in spring 2008. Nine Ministers of Government submitted incomplete funding reports and even more of the members of parliament. The law includes no punishment of false funds reports of the elected politicians.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Finland

Martti Ahtisaari receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008

According to the 2012 constitution, the president (currently Sauli Niinistö) leads foreign policy in cooperation with the government, except that the president has no role in EU affairs.

In 2008, president Martti Ahtisaari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Finland was considered a cooperative model state, and Finland did not oppose proposals for a common EU defence policy. 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 defence.

Social security

Main article: Social security in Finland

Finland has one of the world's most extensive welfare systems, one that guarantees decent living conditions for all residents, Finns, and non-citizens. Since the 1980s the social security has been cut back, but still the system is one of the most comprehensive in the world. Created almost entirely during the first three decades after World War II, the social security system was an outgrowth of the traditional Nordic belief that the state was not inherently hostile to the well-being of its citizens, but could intervene benevolently on their behalf. According to some social historians, the basis of this belief was a relatively benign history that had allowed the gradual emergence of a free and independent peasantry in the Nordic countries and had curtailed the dominance of the nobility and the subsequent formation of a powerful right wing. Finland's history has been harsher than the histories of the other Nordic countries, but not harsh enough to bar the country from following their path of social development.

Military

Sisu Nasu NA-110 tracked transport vehicle of the Finnish Army. Most conscripts receive training for warfare in winter, and transport vehicles such as this give mobility in heavy snow.

Main articles: Finnish Defence Forces and Military history of Finland

See also: List of wars involving Finland

The Finnish Defence Forces consist of a 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 male Finnish nationals above 18 years of age serve for 6 to 12 months of armed service or 12 months of civilian (non-armed) service. Voluntary post-conscription overseas peacekeeping service is popular, and troops serve around the world in UN, NATO, and EU missions. Approximately 500 women choose voluntary military service every year. Women are allowed to serve in all combat arms including front-line infantry and special forces. The army consists of a highly mobile field army backed up by local defence units. The army defends the national territory and its military strategy employs the use of the heavily forested terrain and numerous lakes to wear down an aggressor, instead of attempting to hold the attacking army on the frontier.

Finnish defence expenditure per capita is one of the highest in the European Union. The Finnish military doctrine is based on the concept of total defence. The term total means that all sectors of the government and economy are involved in the defence planning. The armed forces are under the command of the Chief of Defence (currently General Jarmo Lindberg), who is directly subordinate to the president in matters related to military command. The branches of the military are the army, the navy, and the air force. The border guard is under the Ministry of the Interior but can be incorporated into the Defence Forces when required for defence readiness.

Even while Finland hasn't joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the country has joined the NATO Response Force, the EU Battlegroup, the NATO Partnership for Peace and in signed a NATO Memorandum of Understanding, thus forming a practical coalition. In 2015, the Finland-NATO ties were strengthened with a host nation support agreement allowing assistance from NATO troops in emergency situations. Finland has been active participant in the Afghanistan and Kosovo. Recently Finland has been more eager to discuss about its current and planned roles in Syria, Iraq and war against ISIL. On 21 December 2012 Finnish military officer Atte Kaleva was reported to have been kidnapped and later released in Yemen for ransom. At first he was reported be a casual Arabic student, however only later it was published that his studies were about jihadists, terrorism, and that he was employed by the military. As response to French request for solidarity, Finnish defence minister commented in November that Finland could and is willing to offer intelligence support.

In May 2015, Finnish Military sent nearly one million letters to all relevant males in the country, informing them about their roles in the war effort. It was globally speculated that Finland was preparing for war—however Finland claimed that this was a standard procedure, yet something never done before in Finnish history. Mr Hypponen however said that this is not an isolated case, but bound to the European security dilemma. The NATO Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier bestows an obligation e.g. to report on internal capabilities and the availability thereof to NATO.

Economy

Angry Birds, a mobile phone game developed in Finland, has become a commercial hit both domestically and internationally.

Main article: Economy of Finland

See also: List of companies of Finland and Helsinki Stock Exchange

The economy of Finland has a per capita output equal to that of other European economies such as France, Germany, Belgium, or the UK. The largest sector of the economy is services at 66%, followed by manufacturing and refining at 31%. Primary production is 2.9%. With respect to foreign trade, the key economic sector is manufacturing. The largest industries in 2007 were electronics (22%); machinery, vehicles, and other engineered metal products (21.1%); forest industry (13%); and chemicals (11%). The gross domestic product peaked in 2008. As of 2015, the country's economy is at 2006 level.

Finland has significant timber, mineral (iron, chromium, copper, nickel, and gold) and freshwater resources. Forestry, paper factories, and the agricultural sector (on which taxpayers spend around 3 billion euros annually) are politically sensitive to rural residents. The Greater Helsinki area generates around a third of 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. Overall short-term outlook was good and GDP growth has been above many EU peers.

Finland GDP growth from 2000 till 2013

Finland is highly integrated into the global economy, and international trade is a third of GDP. The European Union makes up 60% of the total trade. The largest trade flows are with Germany, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, 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.

Finland's climate and soils make growing crops a particular challenge. The country lies between latitudes 60°N and 70°N, and has severe winters and relatively short growing seasons that are sometimes interrupted by frosts. However, because the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Drift Current moderate the climate, Finland contains half of the world's arable land north of 60° north latitude. Annual precipitation is usually sufficient, but it occurs almost exclusively during the winter months, making summer droughts a constant threat. In response to the climate, farmers have relied on quick-ripening and frost-resistant varieties of crops, and they have cultivated south-facing slopes as well as richer bottomlands to ensure production even in years with summer frosts. Most farmland had originally been either forest or swamp, and the soil had usually required treatment with lime and years of cultivation to neutralize excess acid and to develop fertility. Irrigation was generally not necessary, but drainage systems were often needed to remove excess water. Finland's agriculture was efficient and productive—at least when compared with farming in other European countries.

Finland is part of the Eurozone, the Schengen Area and the EU single market.

Forests play a key role in the country's economy, making it one of the world's leading wood producers and providing raw materials at competitive prices for the crucial wood-processing industries. As in agriculture, the government has long played a leading role in forestry, regulating tree cutting, sponsoring technical improvements, and establishing long-term plans to ensure that the country's forests continue to supply the wood-processing industries. To maintain the country's comparative advantage in forest products, Finnish authorities moved to raise lumber output toward the country's ecological limits. In 1984, the government published the Forest 2000 plan, drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The plan aimed at increasing forest harvests by about 3% per year, while conserving forestland for recreation and other uses.

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 euros in 2004. As of 2008, average purchasing power-adjusted income levels are similar to those of Italy, Sweden, Germany, and France. 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. The female employment rate is high. Gender segregation between male-dominated professions and female-dominated professions is higher than in the US. The proportion of part-time workers was one of the lowest in OECD in 1999. In 2013, the 10 largest private sector employers in Finland were Itella, Nokia, OP-Pohjola, ISS, VR, Kesko, UPM-Kymmene, YIT, Metso, and Nordea.

The unemployment rate was 9.4% in 2015, having risen from 8.7% in 2014. Youth unemployment rate rose from 16.5% in 2007 to 20.5% in 2014. A fifth of residents are outside the job market at the age of 50 and less than a third are working at the age of 61. As of today, nearly one million people are living with minimal wages or unemployed not enough to cover their costs of living.

As of 2006, 2.4 million households reside in Finland. The average size is 2.1 persons; 40% of households consist of a single person, 32% two persons and 28% three or more persons. Residential buildings total 1.2 million, and the average residential space is 38 square metres (410 sq ft) 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% of households had a car. There are 2.5 million cars and 0.4 million other vehicles.

Around 92% have a mobile phone and 83.5% (2009) Internet connection at home. The average total household consumption was 20,000 euro, out of which housing consisted of about 5,500 euro, transport about 3,000 euro, food and beverages excluding alcoholic beverages at around 2,500 euro, and recreation and culture at around 2,000 euro. 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.

Energy

The two existing units of the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant. On the far left is a visualization of a third unit, which, when completed, will become Finland's fifth commercial nuclear reactor.

See also: Nordic energy market and Nuclear power in Finland

Anyone can enter the free and largely privately owned financial and physical Nordic energy markets traded in NASDAQ OMX Commodities Europe and Nord Pool Spot exchanges, which have provided competitive prices compared with other EU countries. As of 2007, Finland has roughly the lowest industrial electricity prices in the EU-15 (equal to France).

In 2006, the energy market was around 90 terawatt hours and the peak demand around 15 gigawatts in winter. This means that the 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. Finland's hydrocarbon resources are limited to peat and wood. About 10–15% of the electricity is produced by hydropower, which is low compared with more mountainous Sweden or Norway. In 2008, renewable energy (mainly hydropower and various forms of wood energy) was high at 31% compared with the EU average of 10.3% in final energy consumption.

Supply and total consumption of electricity in Finland

Finland has four privately owned nuclear reactors producing 18% of the country's energy and one research reactor at the Otaniemi campus. The fifth AREVA-Siemens-built reactor—the world's largest at 1600 MWe and a focal point of Europe's nuclear industry—has faced many delays and is currently scheduled to be operational by 2018–2020, a decade after the original planned opening. A varying amount (5–17%) of electricity has been imported from Russia (at around 3 gigawatt power line capacity), Sweden and Norway.

Energy companies are about to increase nuclear power production, as in July 2010 the Finnish parliament granted permits for additional two new reactors.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Finland

Icebreakers enable shipping even during severe winters.

The state-owned VR Group operates a railway network serving all major cities.

The extensive road system is utilized by most internal cargo and passenger traffic. The annual state operated 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 Airport with about 16 million passengers in 2014. Oulu Airport is the second largest, whilst another 25 airports have scheduled passenger services. The Helsinki Airport-based Finnair, Blue1, and Nordic Regional Airlines sell air services both domestically and internationally. Helsinki has an optimal location for great circle (i.e. the shortest and most efficient) routes between Western Europe and the Far East.

Despite low population density, the Government spends annually around 350 million euro in maintaining 5,865 kilometres (3,644 mi) of railway tracks. Rail transport is handled by state owned VR Group, which has 5% passenger market share (out of which 80% are urban trips in Greater Helsinki) and 25% cargo market share. Since 12 December 2010, Karelian Trains, a joint venture between Russian Railways and VR (Finnish Railways), has been running Alstom Pendolino operated high-speed services between Saint Petersburg's Finlyandsky and Helsinki's Central railway stations. These services are branded as "Allegro" trains. The journey from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg takes only three and a half hours.

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 Kotka, Hamina, Hanko, Pori, Rauma, and Oulu. There is passenger traffic from Helsinki and Turku, which have ferry connections to Tallinn, Mariehamn, and Stockholm. The Helsinki-Tallinn route, one of the busiest passenger sea routes in the world, has also been served by a helicopter line.

Industry

Main article: Economy of Finland

Former headquarters of electronics corporation Nokia in Espoo.

Finland was rapidly industrialized after the Second World War, achieving GDP per capita levels equal to that of Japan or the UK in the beginning of the 1970s. Initially, most development was based on two broad groups of export-led industries, the "metal industry" (metalliteollisuus) and "forest industry" (metsäteollisuus). The "metal industry" includes shipbuilding, metalworking, the car industry, engineered products such as motors and electronics, and production of metals (steel, copper and chromium). The world's biggest cruise ships are built in Finnish shipyards. The "forest industry" (metsäteollisuus) includes forestry, timber, pulp and paper, and is a logical development based on Finland's extensive forest resources (77% of the area is covered by forest, most of it in renewable use). In the pulp and paper industry, many of the largest companies are based in Finland (Ahlstrom, M-real, and UPM). However, the Finnish economy has diversified, with expansion into fields such as electronics (e.g. Nokia), metrology (Vaisala), transport fuels (Neste), chemicals (Kemira), engineering consulting (Pöyry), and information technology (e.g. Rovio, known for Angry Birds), and is no longer dominated by the two sectors of metal and forest industry. Likewise, the structure has changed, with the service sector growing, with manufacturing reducing in importance; agriculture is only a minor part. Despite this, production for export is still more prominent than in Western Europe, thus making Finland more vulnerable to global economic trends.

In an Economist Intelligence Unit report released in September 2011, Finland clinched the second place after the United States on Benchmarking IT Industry Competitiveness 2011 which scored on 6 key indicators: overall business environment, technology infrastructure, human capital, legal framework, public support for industry development, and research and development landscape.

Public policy

See also: Nordic model

Finnish politicians have often emulated other Nordics and the Nordic model. 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.

Finland has top levels of economic freedom in many areas. Finland is ranked 16th in the 2008 global Index of Economic Freedom and 9th in Europe. While the manufacturing sector is thriving, the OECD points out that the service sector would benefit substantially from policy improvements.

The 2007 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Finland 17th most competitive. The World Economic Forum 2008 index ranked Finland the 6th most competitive. In both indicators, Finland's performance was next to Germany, and significantly higher than most European countries. In the Business competitiveness index 2007–2008 Finland ranked third in the world.

Economists attribute much growth to reforms in the product markets. According to the OECD, only four EU-15 countries have less regulated product markets (UK, Ireland, Denmark and Sweden) and only one has less regulated financial markets (Denmark). Nordic countries were pioneers in liberalizing energy, postal, and other markets in Europe. The legal system is clear and business bureaucracy less than most countries. Property rights are well protected and contractual agreements are strictly honoured. Finland is rated the least corrupted country in the world in the Corruption Perceptions Index and 13th in the Ease of Doing Business Index. This indicates exceptional ease in cross-border trading (5th), contract enforcement (7th), business closure (5th), tax payment (83rd), and low worker hardship (127th).

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.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Finland

Silja Symphony, one of the Baltic sea cruiseferries, passing Kustaanmiekka strait in Helsinki.

In 2005, Finnish tourism grossed over €6.7 billion with a 5% 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 8 million visitors in 2013.

The Finnish landscape is covered with thick pine forests and rolling hills, and complemented with a labyrinth of lakes and inlets. Much of Finland is pristine and virgin as it contains 37 national parks from the Southern shores of the Gulf of Finland to the high fells of Lapland. Finland also has urbanised regions with many cultural events and activities.

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 locally regarded as the home of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus, living in the northern Lapland region. Above the Arctic Circle, in midwinter, there is a polar night, a period when the sun does not rise for days or weeks, or even months, and correspondingly, midnight sun in the summer, with no sunset even at midnight. Lapland is so far north that the Aurora Borealis, fluorescence in the high atmosphere due to solar wind, is seen regularly in the fall, winter, and spring.

Outdoor activities range from Nordic skiing, golf, fishing, yachting, lake cruises, hiking, and 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 avifauna, however hunting is also popular. Elk and hare are common game in Finland. Olavinlinna in Savonlinna hosts the annual Savonlinna Opera Festival.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Finland

Population of Finland by age group and sex in 2013

The population of Finland is currently about 5,500,000. Finland has an average population density of 18 inhabitants per square kilometre. This is the third-lowest population density of any European country, behind those of Norway and Iceland, and the lowest population density in the EU. Finland's population has always been concentrated in the southern parts of the country, a phenomenon that became even more pronounced during 20th-century urbanisation. The largest cities in Finland are those of the Greater Helsinki metropolitan area—Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa. Other cities with population over 100,000 are Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, and Lahti.

As of 2014, there were 322,700 people with a foreign background living in Finland (5.9% of the population), most of whom are from Russia, Estonia, Somalia, Iraq and Yugoslavia. The children of foreigners are not automatically given Finnish citizenship. If they are born in Finland and cannot get citizenship of any other country, they become citizens.

Largest cities

Languages

Main articles: Finnish language, Finland Swedish, and Languages of Finland

Finnish and Swedish are the official languages of Finland. Finnish predominates nationwide while Swedish is spoken in some coastal areas in the west and south and in the autonomous region of Åland. The Sami language is an official language in northern Lapland. Finnish Romani and Finnish Sign Language are also recognized in the constitution. The Nordic languages and Karelian are also specially treated in some contexts.

The native language of 90% of the population is Finnish, which is part of the Finnic subgroup of the Uralic languages. The language is one of only four official EU languages not of Indo-European origin. Finnish is closely related to Karelian and Estonian and more remotely to the Sami languages and Hungarian.

Swedish is the native language of 5% of the population (Swedish-speaking Finns).

To the north, in Lapland, are the Sami people, numbering around 7,000 and recognized as an indigenous people. About a quarter of them speak a Sami language as their mother tongue. The Sami languages that are spoken in Finland are Northern Sami, Inari Sami, and Skolt Sami. Finnish Romani is spoken by some 5,000–6,000 people. There are two sign languages: Finnish Sign Language, spoken natively by 4,000–5,000 people, and Finland-Swedish Sign Language, spoken natively by about 150 people. Tatar language is spoken by a Finnish Tatar minority of about 800 people who moved to Finland mainly during the Russian rule from the 1870s until the 1920s.

The rights of minority groups (in particular Sami, Swedish speakers, and Romani people) are protected by the constitution.

Immigrant languages include Russian (1.1%), Estonian (0.6%), Somali, English, and Arabic. The largest groups of population of foreign languages in 2012 were Russian, Estonian, and Somali.

The best-known foreign languages are English (63%), German (18%), and French (3%). English is studied by most pupils as a compulsory subject from the third or fifth grade (at 9 or 11 years of age respectively) in the comprehensive school (in some schools other languages can be chosen instead). German, French, and Russian can be studied as second foreign languages from the eighth grade (at 14 years of age; some schools may offer other options). A third foreign language may be studied in upper secondary school or university (at 16 years of age or over).

Norwegian and, to some extent, Danish are mutually intelligible with Swedish and are thus understood by a significant minority, although studied only slightly in school.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Finland

Religion in Finland
year	Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland	Finnish Orthodox Church	Other	No religious affiliation
1950	95.0%	1.7%	0.5%	2.8%
1980	90.3%	1.1%	0.7%	7.8%
1990	87.8%	1.1%	0.9%	10.2%
2000	85.1%	1.1%	1.1%	12.7%
2010	78.3%	1.1%	1.4%	19.2%
2014	73.9%	1.1%	1.6%	23.5%
2015	73.0%	1.1%	1.6%	24.3%

Approximately four million (or 73.0% at the end of 2015) Finns are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is one of the largest Lutheran churches in the world, although its share of the country's population has declined by roughly one percent annually in recent years. The decline has been due to both church membership resignations and falling baptism rates. The second largest group, accounting for 24.3% of the population in 2015, has no religious affiliation. The non-religious group is growing quickly from just below 13% in the year 2000. A small minority belong to the Finnish Orthodox Church (1.1%). Other Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church in Finland are significantly smaller, as are the Muslim, Jewish, and other non-Christian communities (totaling 1.6%). The main Lutheran and Orthodox churches are national churches of Finland with special roles such as in state ceremonies and schools.

Petäjävesi Old Church is an old wooden Lutheran church and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In 2014, 72.4% of Finnish children were baptized and 82.3% were confirmed in 2012 at the age of 15, and over 90% of the funerals are Christian. However, the majority of Lutherans attend church only for special occasions like Christmas ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. The Lutheran Church estimates that approximately 1.8% of its members attend church services weekly. The average number of church visits per year by church members is approximately two.

According to a 2010 Eurobarometer poll, 33% of Finnish citizens responded that "they believe there is a God"; 42% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force"; and 22% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force". According to ISSP survey data (2008), 8% consider themselves "highly religious", and 31% "moderately religious". In the same survey, 28% reported themselves as "agnostic" and 29% as "non-religious".

Health

Main article: Healthcare in Finland

Life expectancy has increased from 71 years for men and 79 years for women in 1990 to 78 years for men and 84 years for women in 2012. The under-five mortality rate has decreased from 51 per 1,000 live births in 1950 to 3 per 1,000 live births in 2012 ranking Finland’s rate among the lowest in the world. The fertility rate in 2014 stood at 1,71 children born/per woman and has been below the replacement rate of 2.1 since 1969. With a low birth rate women also become mothers at a later age, the mean age at first live birth being 28.6 in 2014.

There has been a slight increase or no change in welfare and health inequalities between population groups in the 21st century. Lifestyle-related diseases are on the rise. More than half a million Finns suffer from diabetes, type 1 diabetes being globally the most common in Finland. Many children are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The number of musculoskeletal diseases and cancers are increasing, although the cancer prognosis has improved. Allergies and dementia are also growing health problems in Finland. One of the most common reasons for work disability are due to mental disorders, in particular depression.

There are 307 residents for each doctor. About 19% of health care is funded directly by households and 77% by taxation.

A recent study by The Lancet medical journal found that Finland has the lowest stillbirth rate out of 193 countries, including UK, France, and New Zealand. In April 2012, Finland was ranked 2nd in Gross National Happiness in a report published by The Earth Institute.

Education and science

Auditorium in Aalto University's main building, designed by Alvar Aalto.

Pupils at the school of Torvinen in Sodankylä, Finland, in the 1920s

Main article: Education in Finland

See also: List of universities in Finland and List of schools in Finland

Most pre-tertiary education is arranged at municipal level. Even though many or most schools were started as private schools, today only around 3 percent of students are enrolled in private schools (mostly specialist language and international schools), much less than in Sweden and most other developed countries. Pre-school education is rare compared with other EU countries and formal education is usually started at the age of 7. Primary school takes normally six years and lower secondary school three years. Most schools are managed by municipal officials.

The flexible curriculum is set by the Ministry of Education and the Education Board. Education is compulsory between the ages of 7 and 16. After lower secondary school, graduates may either enter the workforce directly, or apply to trade schools or gymnasiums (upper secondary schools). Trade schools offer a vocational education: approximately 40% of an age group choose this path after the lower secondary school. Academically oriented gymnasiums 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 universities. Education is free and living expenses are to a large extent financed by the government through student benefits. There are 20 universities and 30 polytechnics in the country. Helsinki University is ranked 75th in the Top University Ranking of 2010. The World Economic Forum ranks Finland's tertiary education No. 1 in the world. Around 33% of residents have a tertiary degree, similar to Nordics and more than in most other OECD countries except Canada (44%), United States (38%) and Japan (37%). The proportion of foreign students is 3% of all tertiary enrollments, one of the lowest in OECD, while in advanced programs it is 7.3%, still below OECD average 16.5%.

More than 30% of tertiary graduates are in science-related fields. Forest improvement, materials research, environmental sciences, neural networks, low-temperature physics, brain research, biotechnology, genetic technology, and communications showcase fields of study where Finnish researchers have had a significant impact.

Finland had a long tradition of adult education, and by the 1980s nearly one million Finns were receiving some kind of instruction each year. Forty percent of them did so for professional reasons. Adult education appeared in a number of forms, such as secondary evening schools, civic and workers' institutes, study centres, vocational course centres, and folk high schools. Study centres allowed groups to follow study plans of their own making, with educational and financial assistance provided by the state. Folk high schools are a distinctly Nordic institution. Originating in Denmark in the nineteenth century, folk high schools became common throughout the region. Adults of all ages could stay at them for several weeks and take courses in subjects that ranged from handicrafts to economics.

Finland is highly productive in scientific research. In 2005, Finland had the fourth most scientific publications per capita of the OECD countries. In 2007, 1,801 patents were filed in Finland.

In addition, 38 percent of Finland population has a university or college degree, which is among the highest percentages in the world.

In 2010 a new law was enacted considering the universities, which defined that there are 16 of them as they were excluded from the public sector to be autonomous legal and financial entities, however enjoying special status in the legislation. As result many former state institutions were driven to collect funding from private sector contributions and partnerships. The change caused deep rooted discussions among the academic circles.

English language is important in Finnish education. There are a number of degree programs that are taught in English, which attracts thousands of degree and exchange students every year.

Culture

Mikael Agricola, a Lutheran Protestant reformer and the father of the Finnish written language.

Main article: Culture of Finland

Literature

Main article: Finnish literature

Written Finnish could be said to have existed since Mikael Agricola translated the New Testament into Finnish during the Protestant Reformation, but few notable works of literature were written until the nineteenth century and the beginning of a Finnish national Romantic Movement. This prompted Elias Lönnrot to collect Finnish and Karelian folk poetry and arrange and publish them as the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. The era saw a rise of poets and novelists who wrote in Finnish, notably Aleksis Kivi and Eino Leino. Many writers of the national awakening wrote in Swedish, such as the national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg and Zachris Topelius.

After Finland became independent, there was a rise of modernist writers, most famously the Finnish-speaking Mika Waltari and Swedish-speaking Edith Södergran. Frans Eemil Sillanpää was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1939. The Second World War prompted a return to more national interests in comparison to a more international line of thought, characterized by Väinö Linna. Besides Kalevala and Waltari, the Swedish-speaking Tove Jansson is the most translated Finnish writer. Popular modern writers include Arto Paasilinna, Ilkka Remes, Kari Hotakainen, Sofi Oksanen, and Jari Tervo, while the best novel is annually awarded the prestigious Finlandia Prize.

Akseli Gallen-Kallela, The Defense of the Sampo, 1896, Turku Art Museum.

Visual arts, design, and architecture

See also: Architecture of Finland and Art in Finland

The visual arts in Finland started to form their individual characteristics in the 19th century, when Romantic nationalism was rising in autonomic Finland. The best known of Finnish painters, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, started painting in a naturalist style, but moved to national romanticism. Finland's best-known sculptor of the twentieth century was Wäinö Aaltonen, remembered for his monumental busts and sculptures. Finns have made major contributions to handicrafts and industrial design: among the internationally renowned figures are Timo Sarpaneva, Tapio Wirkkala and Ilmari Tapiovaara. Finnish architecture is famous around the world, and has contributed significantly to several styles internationally, such as Jugendstil (or Art Nouveau), Nordic Classicism and Functionalism. Among the top twentieth-century Finnish architects to gain international recognition are Eliel Saarinen and his son Eero Saarinen. Architect Alvar Aalto is regarded as among the most important twentieth-century designers in the world; he helped bring functionalist architecture to Finland, but soon was a pioneer in its development towards an organic style. Aalto is also famous for his work in furniture, lamps, textiles and glassware, which were usually incorporated into his buildings.

Music

The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), a significant figure in the history of classical music.

Main articles: Music of Finland, Finnish rock, and Sami music

Classical

Much of the Finland's classical music is influenced by traditional Karelian melodies and lyrics, as comprised in the Kalevala. Karelian culture is perceived as the purest expression of the Finnic myths and beliefs, less influenced by Germanic influence than the Nordic folk dance music that largely replaced the kalevaic tradition. Finnish folk music has undergone a roots revival in recent decades, and has become a part of popular music.

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

The first Finnish opera was written by the German-born composer Fredrik Pacius in 1852. Pacius also wrote the music to the poem Maamme/Vårt land (Our Country), Finland's national anthem. In the 1890s Finnish nationalism based on the Kalevala spread, and Jean Sibelius became famous for his vocal symphony 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, 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 and many of Finland's important composers are still alive, such as Magnus Lindberg, Kaija Saariaho, Kalevi Aho, Aulis Sallinen, and Einojuhani Rautavaara. The composers are accompanied by a large number of great conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Osmo Vänskä, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and Leif Segerstam. Some of the internationally acclaimed Finnish classical musicians are Karita Mattila, Soile Isokoski, Pekka Kuusisto, Olli Mustonen, and Linda Lampenius.

Modern

Perttu Kivilaakso of Apocalyptica.

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, a style of Argentine music, is also popular. The light music in Swedish-speaking areas has more influences from Sweden. Modern Finnish popular music includes a number of prominent rock bands, jazz musicians, hip hop performers, dance music acts, etc.

During the early 1960s, the first significant wave of Finnish rock groups emerged, playing instrumental rock inspired by groups such as The Shadows. Around 1964, Beatlemania arrived in Finland, resulting in further development of the local rock scene. During the late 1960s and 1970s, Finnish rock musicians increasingly wrote their own music instead of translating international hits into Finnish. During the decade, some progressive rock groups such as Tasavallan Presidentti and 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 the 1980s. Hanoi Rocks was a pioneering 1980s glam rock act that inspired the American hard rock group Guns N' Roses, among others.

Many Finnish metal bands have gained international recognition. HIM and Nightwish are some of Finland's most internationally known bands. HIM's 2005 album Dark Light went gold in the United States. Apocalyptica are an internationally famous Finnish group who are most renowned for mixing strings-led classical music with classic heavy metal. Other well-known metal bands are Amorphis, Children of Bodom, Impaled Nazarene, Korpiklaani, Sentenced, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Turisas, Finntroll, Ensiferum, Insomnium, Moonsorrow, and Waltari.

After Finnish hard rock/heavy metal band Lordi won the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, Finland hosted the competition in 2007.

Cinema and television

Main articles: Cinema of Finland and Television in Finland

See also: List of Finnish films

In the film industry, notable directors include Aki Kaurismäki, Mauritz Stiller, Spede Pasanen, and Hollywood film director and producer Renny Harlin. Around twelve feature films are made each year.

Finland's most internationally successful TV shows are the backpacking travel documentary series Madventures and the reality TV show The Dudesons, about four childhood friends who perform stunts and play pranks on each other (in similar vein to the American TV show Jackass).

Media and communications

Linus Torvalds, the Finnish software engineer best known for creating the popular open-source kernel Linux.

See also: Telecommunications in Finland and List of newspapers in Finland

Thanks to its emphasis on transparency and equal rights, Finland's press has been rated the freest in the world.

Today, there are around 200 newspapers, 320 popular magazines, 2,100 professional magazines, 67 commercial radio stations, three digital radio channels and one nationwide and five national public service radio channels.

Each year, around 12,000 book titles are published and 12 million records are sold.

Sanoma publishes the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat (its circulation of 412,000 making it the largest), the tabloid Ilta-Sanomat, the commerce-oriented Taloussanomat and the television channel Nelonen. The other major publisher Alma Media publishes over thirty magazines, including the newspaper Aamulehti, tabloid Iltalehti and commerce-oriented Kauppalehti. Worldwide, Finns, along with other Nordic peoples and the Japanese, spend the most time reading newspapers.

Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, operates five television channels and thirteen radio channels in both national languages. Yle is funded through a mandatory television license and fees for private broadcasters. All TV channels are broadcast digitally, both terrestrially and on cable. The commercial television channel MTV3 and commercial radio channel Radio Nova are owned by Nordic Broadcasting (Bonnier and Proventus Industrier).

In regards to telecommunication infrastructure, Finland is the highest ranked country in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI) – an indicator for determining the development level of a country’s information and communication technologies. Finland ranked 1st overall in the 2014 NRI ranking, unchanged from the year before. This is shown in its penetration throughout the country's population. Around 79% of the population use the Internet. Finland had around 1.52 million broadband Internet connections by the end of June 2007 or around 287 per 1,000 inhabitants. All Finnish schools and public libraries have Internet connections and computers and most residents have a mobile phone. Value-added services are rare. In October 2009, Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications committed to ensuring that every person in Finland would be able to access the Internet at a minimum speed of one megabit-per-second beginning July 2010.

Cuisine

Main article: Finnish cuisine

Karelian pasty (karjalanpiirakka) is a traditional Finnish dish made from a thin rye crust with a filling of rice. Butter, often mixed with boiled egg (eggbutter or munavoi), is spread over the hot pastries before eating.

Finnish cuisine is notable for generally combining traditional country fare and haute cuisine with contemporary style cooking. Fish and meat play a prominent role in traditional Finnish dishes from the western part of the country, while the dishes from the eastern part have traditionally included various vegetables and mushrooms. Refugees from Karelia contributed to foods in eastern Finland.

Finnish foods often use wholemeal products (rye, barley, oats) and berries (such as bilberries, lingonberries, cloudberries, and sea buckthorn). Milk and its derivatives like buttermilk are commonly used as food, drink, or in various recipes. Various turnips were common in traditional cooking, but were replaced with the potato after its introduction in the 18th century.

According to the statistics, red meat consumption has risen, but still Finns eat less beef than many other nations, and more fish and poultry. This is mainly because of the high cost of meat in Finland.

Public holidays

Main articles: Public holidays in Finland and Flag days in Finland

All official holidays in Finland are established by Acts of Parliament. Christian holidays include Christmas, New Year's Day, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Midsummer Day (St. John's Day), and All Saints' Day, while secular holidays include May Day, Independence Day, New Year's Day, and Midsummer. Christmas is the most extensively celebrated, and at least 24 to 26 December is taken as a holiday.

Sports

Finland's men's national ice hockey team is ranked as one of the best in the world. The team has won two world championship titles (in 1995 & 2011) and six Olympic medals.

Main article: Sport in Finland

Various sporting events are popular in Finland. Pesäpallo, resembling baseball, is the national sport of Finland, although the most popular sports in terms of spectators is ice hockey. Ice Hockey World Championships 2016 final Finland-Canada, 69% Finnish people watched that game on TV. Other popular sports include athletics, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, football and basketball. While ice hockey is the most popular sports when it comes to attendance at games, association football is the most played team sport in terms of the amount of players in the country and is also the most appreciated sports in Finland.

In terms of medals and gold medals won per capita, Finland is the best performing country in Olympic history. Finland first participated as a nation in its own right at the Olympic Games in 1908, while still an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire. At the 1912 Summer Olympics, great pride was taken in the three gold medals won by the original "Flying Finn" Hannes Kolehmainen.

Finland was one of the most successful countries at the Olympic Games before World War II. At the 1924 Summer Olympics, Finland, a nation then of only 3.2 million people, came second in the medal count. In the 1920s and 1930s, Finnish long-distance runners dominated the Olympics, with Paavo Nurmi winning a total of nine Olympic gold medals between 1920 and 1928 and setting 22 official world records between 1921 and 1931. Nurmi is often considered the greatest Finnish sportsman and one of the greatest athletes of all time.

For over 100 years, Finnish male and female athletes have consistently excelled at the javelin throw. The event has brought Finland nine Olympic gold medals, five world championships, five European championships, and 24 world records.

In addition to Kolehmainen and Nurmi, some of Finland's most internationally well-known and successful sportspeople are long-distance runners Ville Ritola and Lasse Virén; ski-jumpers Matti Nykänen and Janne Ahonen; cross-country skiers Veikko Hakulinen, Eero Mäntyranta, Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi and Mika Myllylä; rower Pertti Karppinen; gymnast Heikki Savolainen; professional skateboarder Arto Saari; ice hockey players Kimmo Timonen, Jari Kurri, Teemu Selänne, and Saku Koivu; football players Jari Litmanen and Sami Hyypiä; basketball player Hanno Möttölä; alpine skiers Kalle Palander and Tanja Poutiainen; Formula One world champions Keke Rosberg, Mika Häkkinen and Kimi Räikkönen; four-time World Rally champions Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Mäkinen; and 13-time World Enduro Champion Juha Salminen, seven-time champion Kari Tiainen, and the five-time champions Mika Ahola, biathlete Kaisa Mäkäräinen and Samuli Aro. Finland is also one of the most successful nations in bandy, being the only nation beside Russia and Sweden to win a Bandy World Championship.

The 1952 Summer Olympics were held in Helsinki. Other notable sporting events held in Finland include the 1983 and 2005 World Championships in Athletics.

Finland also has a notable history in figure skating. Finnish skaters have won 8 world championships and 13 junior world cups in synchronized skating, and Finland is considered one of the best countries at the sport.

Some of the most popular recreational sports and activities include floorball, Nordic walking, running, cycling, and skiing (alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and ski jumping).

Especially since the 2014 Basketball World Cup, Finland's national basketball team has received widespread public attention. More than 8,000 Finns travelled to Spain to support their team. Overall, they chartered more than 40 airplanes.

International rankings

The following list contains international comparisons of national performance. The list has a maximum of three years per survey. For a more comprehensive list, see International rankings of Finland.

International rankings of Finland
Organisation	Survey	Year	Rank	Out of (countries)	Ref	Notes
A.T. Kearney / Foreign Policy Magazine	Globalization Index  [website]
		2007	18	72
		2006	13	62
		2005	10	62
Yale University / Columbia University	Environmental Performance Index  [website]
		2008	4	149
		2006	3	133
Heritage Foundation / The Wall Street Journal	Index of Economic Freedom  [website]
		2008	16	165
		2007	16	165
		2006	16	165
IMD International	World Competitiveness Yearbook  [website]
		2008	15	55*		*economies (countries and regions)
		2007	17	55
		2006	10	61
NationMaster	Technological Achievement
		2001	1	68
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)	Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)  [website]
		2006	→	57		rank 1 in science and ability to use scientific knowledge; rank 2 in reading literacy; rank 2 in mathematics
		2003	→	41		rank 1 in science (tied with Japan); rank 1 in reading literacy; rank 2 in problem solving; rank 2 in mathematics
		2000	→	43		rank 1 in reading performance
Reporters Without Borders	Worldwide Press Freedom Index  [website]{{dead link|date=March 2011}}
		2008	4	173		tied with Estonia and Ireland
		2007	5	169		tied with Belgium and Sweden
		2006	1	168		tied with Iceland, Ireland and Netherlands
Save the Children	State of the World’s Mothers
		2010	7	43		Compared against 42 other developed countries
		2003	5	117		117 developed and developing countries
The Economist Intelligence Unit	Global Peace Index  [website]
		2008	8	140
		2007	6	121
Transparency International	Corruption Perceptions Index  [website]
		2008	5	180		tied with Switzerland
		2007	1	179		tied with Denmark and New Zealand
		2006	1	163		tied with Iceland and New Zealand
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)	Human Development Index  [website]
		2007–2008	11	177
		2006	11	177
		2005	13	177
World Economic Forum	Global Competitiveness Report [website]
		2008–2009	6	134
		2007–2008	6	131
		2006–2007	2	125
	Networked Readiness Index (Global Information Technology Report) [website]	2012	3	142
		2013	1	144
WorldAudit.org	World Democracy Audit
		2008	1	150
		2006	1	150

See also

• Index of Finland-related articles
• Outline of Finland
• Bibliography of Finland
• Finnish models of public transport
• Fire fighting in Finland
• Football in Finland
• Gun politics in Finland
• Kansallisbiografia
• List of bands from Finland
• List of Finns
• Protected areas of Finland

Notes

References

Further reading

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

External links

• Finland entry at The World Factbook
• Finland at DMOZ
• Finland profile from the BBC News
• Key Development Forecasts for Finland from International Futures
• Population in Finland 1750–2010
• Appendix figure 2. The largest groups by native language 2001 and 2011 (Statistics Finland)
• Official statistical information about Finland from Findicator.

Government

• This is Finland, the official English-language online portal (administered by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs)
• Finland (University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries Government Publications)

Maps

• Geographic data related to Finland at OpenStreetMap
• Wikimedia Atlas of Finland

Travel

• Official Travel Site of Finland

UpToDate Contents

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★リンクテーブル★

リンク元	「Finnish」
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「Finnish」

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Finland

　 　 　

「Finland type amyloidosis」

　　[★] フィンランド型アミロイドーシス