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Country of Finland Flag

Capital: Helsinki

Population: 5,262,930

Brief History of Finland:

The Finnish people settled in the land that is today call Finland thousands of years ago. During the 12th Century, the Kingdom of Swedentook over the land and it remained a part of Sweden for almost 700 years. During this time, Swedish took over as the dominant language in the area. The language eventually reverted back to Finnish during the 1800s.

In 1809, Russia and the armies of Czar Alexander I conquered Finland and took possession of the land. It became a grand duchy of Russia for around 100 years.

In 1835, the publication of the Finnish national epic, The Kalevala--a collection of traditional myths and legends--first stirred the nationalism that later led to Finland's independence from Russia. When the Bolshevik Revolution occurred in Russia in 1917 Finland claimed independence. Finland staunchly defended its independence including fighting wars against the Soviet Union during World War II. During the Cold War, Finland was considered a neutral country and a grey zone between the West and the Soviet Union.

Country of Finland Map

The Geography of Finland

Total Size: 338,145 square km

Size Comparison: slightly smaller than Montana

Geographical Coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E

World Region or Continent: Europe

General Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills

Geographical Low Point: Baltic Sea 0 m

Geographical High Point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m


Major cities: HELSINKI (capital) 1.107 million (2009), Espoo, Tampere, Vantaa

The People of Finland

Type of Government: republic


Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Russia)

National Holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

Nationality: Finn(s)


National Symbol: lion

National Anthem or Song: Maamme (Our Land)

Economy of Finland


Agricultural Products: barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish


Major Exports: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp (1999)


Currency: euro (EUR)

National GDP: $194,300,000,000


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