FINLAND

Finland - situated in northern Europe with a quarter of its total area lying north of the Arctic Circle - is an independent republic since 1917 and became a member of the European Union in 1995. Its population is 5.5 million, and Finland is the sixth largest country in Europe in area, with a population density of 17.6 persons per square kilometer. Finland is the most heavily forested country in Europe, with 23 million hectares under forest cover. However, today most Finns, some two thirds, live in urban areas. The capital Helsinki has 612 000 residents.

Finland is perhaps best known for its peacefulness and beautiful nature. Vast forests, a unique archipelago and thousands of lakes present a striking mixture of wooded hills and waters.

Finland enjoys some of the most extensive and unspoilt natural environment in Europe. It is sometimes referred to as the 'land of the thousand lakes', but in fact there were a total of 187,888 at the last count.

In addition to its mystical northern nature, Finland is also a modern Nordic country with a high standard of living and advanced economy and technology. Finland’s economy has traditionally been based on its most plentiful natural resource: wood. The forest product industries are still important, even if they face increased international competition, but manufacturing industries, engineering and high technology have also played a big economic role in recent decades.

That Finnish literacy rates are among the highest - if not the highest - in the world is a tribute to the effectiveness of the Finnish education system. The OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which evaluates the educational achievement of children of school age in the OECD countries, placed Finland among the top countries in 2001, for example, and this is a status that is maintained from year to year.

Finland is officially bilingual: Finnish is the first language of 92 %, and Swedish of 5.5 % of the population. About 1,700 people in Lapland speak Sami (Lapp) languages. Most Finns speak excellent English and even in more remote areas you are likely to find a person able to help you in English. You should not have any difficulties when it comes to language.

Further information: www.visitfinland.com

Travel connections

Most visitors to Finland arrive in and depart from Helsinki, and Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, 19 kilometers to the north of the city, is the biggest international airport in the country, with flights to destinations throughout Finland, Europe, North America and the Far East. There are daily cruise ferry connections between Stockholm and Helsinki, operated by the Silja-Tallink and Viking Lines. Rail connections operate from Helsinki to all Finnish rail destinations, including Lapland. Express bus services also cover the country from Helsinki.

Weather

Usually summer comes in early June and lasts till August in Helsinki. During this time average temperature rises gradually and stands at 18°C at the outset of the season. August, the last month of the period, sees around 21°C of temperature.