Facts about Finland
Lakes and forests characterise the expansive Finnish landscape. Finland is also renowned for mobile phones, design and Moomins.
- Photographer
- Søren Sigfusson/norden.org
Finland is called 'the land of the thousand lakes', as inland lakes and rivers make up 10% of the country. The large areas of forest cover almost two thirds of the land mass. Only 6% of Finland is arable.
Finland has a population of 5.5 million, around a million of whom live in the area in and around the capital city, Helsinki.
A significant Swedish-speaking minority lives in Finland, so Finnish and Swedish are both official languages.
Finland is a republic. The president, who is directly elected by the people, has real power over foreign affairs, EU policy and major military decisions. In all other matters, the parliament is the the country's highest authority.
Finland is a member of the EU, and its currency is the euro. The country is not a member of NATO.
The forestry, technology and metal industries are Finland's most important revenue sources. Finland is the world's biggest producer of mobile phones.
Per capita GDP is € 27,300 (2006).
| Total area | 338,440 km2 |
| Land area | 303,912 km2 |
| Lakes and streams |
34,518 km2 |
|
Arable land and gardens |
22,867 km2 |
| Forests | 228,190 km2 |
| Largest lake | Saimaa 1,377 km2 |
| Highest point | Mount Haltia 1,324 m |
| Coastline, mainland |
6,308 km |
| Average temperature Helsinki (2006) |
January -3.6° C July 18.9° C |
| Precipation Helsinki (2005) | 648 mm |
| Population 1 January 2011 | 5,327,276 |
|
Population density 01.01.11 |
17,7 pop./km2 |
| Population, capital city 1 January 2011 |
1,045,263 inh (Helsinki incl. suburbs)1 |
| National day |
6. December (Independence Day) |
| Form of government | Republic |
| Parliament | Eduskunta (Parliament) (200 seats) |
| Membership of the EU | From 01.01.95 |
| Membership of NATO | No |
| Head of State (March 2012) | President Sauli Niinistö |
| Head of government (June 2011) | Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen (Kokoomus/National Coalition Party) |
| Currency: | Euro |
| Official website | www.finland.fi |
| Official language |
Finnish and Swedish |
1) Helsinki, Espoo (Esbo), Kauniainen (Grankulla) and Vantaa (Vanda)
