Brief Introduction Capital: Helsinki Area: total: 338,145 sq km National Flower: Lily of the Valley. The important Festival: National day: 26 December Population: 5,231,372 Language: Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Sámi- and Russian-speaking minorities Currency: euro

Finland

Geography

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bithynia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia.

Administrative divisions

6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani .

Economy – overview

Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important, with exports equaling almost one-third of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population.

Culture and media

Newspaper:

Helsingin Sanomat, Ilta-Sanomat , Kotimaa ,

Broadcast: Radio Finland

TV Stations:

YLE

The place of interest

Olavinlinna

Linnanmaki Amusement Park

Suomenlinna Museum