|
Country
Identification |
Republic of Finland |
|
Language(s)
|
Finnish (93%) and Swedish (6%). Finland is officially a bilingual
country. Small Sami and Russian speaking minorities. English widely spoken. |
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Religion(s)
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Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1% |
|
Political System
|
Democratic Republic |
|
Currency |
Euro |
|
Geographical Information |
Northern Europe, between Sweden and Russia.
Cold temperate climate. Potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild
because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic current, Baltic Sea
and the more than 60,000 lakes.
Terrain mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes.
68% of Finland is forests, 10% water and 6% cultivated land |
|
Typical Food and drinks |
Elements of Swedish and Russian cuisine. Potato is the staple food,
served with various meats or fish. Game: snow grouse, reindeer stew,
glow-fired salmon or raw picked salmon .
Strong beers, wines and spirits sold in bars, restaurants and state
network shops |
|
Holidays and Festivals |
National Holiday : Independence Day, 6 December (1917 from Russia)
Midsummer’s Eve and Day :June 21, June 22
Christmas and New Year, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Ascension
Day: 9 May, All Saints Day: 2 November
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History
|
Finland was a province and than a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th
Century until 1809, and then an autonomous grand duchy of Russia.
Blighted by constant battles with Russia and severe famines. The
1696-97 famine killed 1/3 of all Finns. In 1700s bitter wars with Russia,
and loss of Finland to Russia in 1809. Declaration of Independence in
1917. After the Communist Russian Revolution in 1917, a bloody civil war
of "reds" and "nationalist whites" in Finland for 108
days with 30,000 killed. During World War 11, it successfully defended its
freedom and rested invasions by the Soviet Union—albeit with some loss
of territory. Bitter battle to oust Germans from Lapland.
In the next half century Finland made a remarkable transformation from
a farm/forest economy to a diverse modern industrial economy. 1990
devaluation of Fin Markka by 25%. Joined EU in 1994. As a member of the
European Union, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system
at its initiation in January 1999. In 2000 the first Finnish female
president was elected. |
|
Art and culture |
Literature: Tove Jansson, Aleksis Kivi, Elias Lönnrot , Märta
Tikkanen
Composer: Jean Sibelius
Architecture :Alvar Aalto
Painter : Akseli Gallen-Kallela
Film: Aki Kaurismaki |
|
Dos and don´ts for visiting the country |
Observe speed and alcohol limits when driving. Police strictly enforce
all traffic laws. Drive with headlights on. Beware of moose on the road if
driving at night.
Fins are nature lovers and the countryside is very clean—don’t
litter.
Fins are typically quiet and taciturn. The offer of a drink often helps
break the ice. |
|
Population and
% of foreign population /minorities |
Population: 5,19 million
Ethnic groups: Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02% |
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Main Integration Problems
|
Finland was a homogeneous society until the 1990’s with a small
foreign population. Migration increased with the collapse of the Soviet
Union and Eastern Block, the civil war in Yugoslavia, and Asian and
African refugees.
The main problem is immigrant unemployment (about 30%, the national
level is 9%).
Immigrants are often seen as a threat and competitors in the labour
markets.
Illegal immigration from Russia along the long eastern border is a
problem.
Negative attitudes and xenophobia towards foreigners. |
