| Finland has only been an independent state since 1917, before
that it was a province and then a grand duchy first under Sweden
and then Russia. In 1918 a left wing coup took place but was defeated
a few months later, the country becoming a republic in 1919 with
K.J. Ståhlberg elected as its first president. Although it
was invaded by the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin at the beginning
of the Second World War it remained relatively autonomous. Today
Finland is a modern democratic industrial economy.
The countryside is mainly forest ........ though it does have a
huge number of lakes especially in the South (just under 200,000).
It's population is about 5.2 million, the majority of whom live
in cities like Tampere where Jari (Nieminen) lives. Helsinki
its capital is the largest city with a population of just under
600,00. There are several other important towns Espoo (pop:220,000),
Vantaa (pop:182,000) and Tuku (pop:175,000). Most people speak the
Finnish language although a small minority speak Swedish and Sami
(the language of the Lapland people). The Finnish people are mainly
protestant (Lutheran).
Finland has cold winters and warmish summers. The south is blessed
with generally higher temperatures than the north. In summer the
temperature rises to 20C plus (30C in the South), in winter temperatures
of -20C or below are not uncommon.
Finland is a democracy its leaders being voted in (or out) by popular
vote. Their are several political parties including the Centre,
Social Democratic and National Coalition parties.The current head
of state (2004) is one Mrs. Tarja Halonen who is President.
Finland's main exports are electrical, electronic, metal and engineering
goods. It also exports chemicals and forestry products.
The Finnish currency is the euro.
Average income In 2002 was said to be 26,800 euros (approximately
GB£20,000 if my arithmetic is correct) |
