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Country information - Finland Conclusive archaeological evidence exists indicating that the area now comprising Finland was settled around 8500 BC, during the Stone Age, as the inland ice of the last ice age receded. The earliest inhabitants are thought to have been hunter-gatherers, living primarily off what the forests and sea could offer. Pottery is known from around 5300 BC. Finland won its complete independence in 1917. Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. On December 6, 1917, shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, Finland declared its independence. The independence was approved by Bolshevist Russia. In 1918, the country experienced a brief but bitter Civil War that colored domestic politics for many years. The Civil War was fought between "the whites", supported by Imperial Germany, and "the reds", supported by Bolshevist Russia. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union. The post-war era was a period of rapid economic growth and increasing wealth and stability for Finland. The war-ravaged agrarian country was transformed into a technologically advanced market economy with a sophisticated social welfare system. When the Soviet Union fell in 1991 Finland was surprised and suffered economically, but was free to follow her own course and joined the European Union in 1995. Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. Geography Finland Location Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia Area total: 338,145 sq km Land 304,473 sq km Water 33,672 sq km Land boundaries total: 2,681 km border countries Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,340 km Coastline 1,250 km Climate cold temperate; potentially sub arctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes Terrain mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Elevation extremes lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point Haltiatunturi 1,328 m Natural resources timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone Land use arable land: 7.19% Natural hazards NA People Finland Population 5,223,442 Nationality noun: Finn(s) Adjective Finnish Ethnic groups Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.7%, Russian 0.4%, Estonian 0.2%, Roma 0.2%, Sami 0.1% Religions Lutheran National Church 84.2%, Greek Orthodox in Finland 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 13.5% Languages Finnish 92% (official), Swedish 5.6% (official), other 2.4% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) Government Finland Country name conventional long form: Republic of Finland Conventional short form Finland Local long form Suomen Tasavalta Local short form Suomi Government type republic Capital Helsinki Administrative divisions 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani Independence 6 December 1917 (from Russia) National holiday Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Constitution 1 March 2000 Legal system civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage 18 years of age; universal Executive branch chief of state: President Tarja Halonen (since 1 March 2000) head of government Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (24 June 2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Eero Heinaluoma (since 24 September 2005) Cabinet Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament Elections president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 16 January 2000 and 6 February 2000 (next to be held February 2006); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) Elections last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007) Judicial branch Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president) Flag description white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Finland The Finnish standard of living is high. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications (especially Nokia), 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. Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. 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. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. High unemployment remains a persistent problem. Finland was one of the 11 countries joining the euro monetary system (EMU) on January 1, 1999. Labor force 2.61 million Labor force - by occupation agriculture and forestry 8%, industry 22%, construction 6%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, transport and communications 8%, public services 32% Unemployment rate 7.9% Population below poverty line NA Household income by percentage share lowest 10%: 4.2%, highest 10%: 21.6% Agriculture - products barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish Industries metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Currency (code) euro (EUR) Transportation Finland Airports 148 Airports - with paved runways total: 76 Airports - with unpaved runways total: 72 Pipelines gas 694 km Railways total: 5,851 km Roadways total: 78,168 km Paved 50,616 km (including 653 km of expressways) Unpaved 27,552 km Waterways 7,842 km Ports and terminals Hamina, Hanko, Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Porvoo, Raahe, Rauma, Turku

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