Flag of Finland

Flag of Finland

Suomen tasavalta

  • Republiken Finland (Swedish)
  • Republic of Finland

Facts

  • Population » 5.5 million people (2021)
    • The majority of the population reside in the southern regions with Helsinki home for around 615,000
  • Languages » Finnish (Official), Swedish (Official)
  • Religion » Christianity
  • Life expectancy » 79 years (men), 84 years (women)
  • Finland joined the EU in 1995
  • Currency » Euro
    • it belonged to the first group of countries adopting the Euro
  • Dialing Code » +358
    • Emergency Number » 112

Geography

  • Area »338,145 sq km (130,559 sq miles)
  • Bordered by Norway to the north, Sweden to the northwest, and Russia to the east.
  • Finland is one of the larger European countries but conversely it is the most sparsely populated
Map of Finland (Source » France, Aug 2021)

Map of Finland (Source » France, Aug 2021)

Maps

Tourism

UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Finland)

Climate

Adventure

  • Seat belts are compulsory
  • Winter tires are compulsory  from December 1st to the end of February with a minimum depth of 3mm
  • A warning triangle must be carried
  • Pedestrians must wear reflectors during darkness hours
    • Once a driver or passenger steps out of a vehicle they in become a pedestrian so therefore must adhere to the ruling
  • Speed limits are:
    • 20 km/h in residential zones
    • 50 km/h in towns
    • 80 km/h in winter and 100 km/h in summer on single carriageways
    • 100 km/h in winter and 120 km/h in summer on dual carriageways and motorways.
  • Finland shares land borders with Sweden, Russia and Norway
  • Estonia is across the Gulf of Finland
  • Numerous ferry services run to Finland from Sweden, Poland, Germany and Estonia.
    • Viking Line and Tallink Silja Ferries offer services from Helsinki to Tallin, Stockholm, and Mariehamn and from Turku to Langnas, Stockholm and Mariehamn. Finnlines operate from Travemunde to Helsinki, Turku and Rauma, from Lubeck to Helsinki, Turku, Rauma and Kotka.
  • There are no road tolls or vehicle movement taxes in Finland
  • There are no restrictions on the amount of fuel carried in the main tank that can be brought into the country.
  • Finnish Transport Authority: www.lvm.fi

Notes

  • Finland has come top of Gallup’s World Happiness Report for four consecutive years based on factors like GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and corruption levels. (2019)
    • (Previous Entry » According to the 2018 World Happiness Report, based on research conducted by Gallup, Finland is the happiest country in the world.)
  • It is famous for its educational system, and for being one of the safest and most eco-friendly countries on earth.
    • Named the safest country in the world in the 2017 World Economic Forum Report.
  • Finland was part of Russia as an autonomous Grand Duchy from 1809 before securing independence in 1917. Before that they were under Swedish rule for centuries.

World Rankings

World Ranking 2018
  • Property rights: 1st
  • Judicial independence: 1st
  • Reliability of police services: 1st
  • Freedom of the press: 4th
  • Quality of vocational training: 6th
  • Innovation capability: 10th
  • Life expectancy: 21st
  • Roads quality: 22nd

Safety & Security

  • Finland is one of the safest countries in the world for travellers.
  • Finland became the 31st member of NATO on 4 April 2023.
    •  Finland’s accession to NATO reverses years of nonalignment in a shift triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    • Finland shares the longest European Union border with Russia, at 1,340km (832 miles).

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This page was updated April 4, 2023