| Revision as of 23:35, 23 April 2003 view source65.94.49.61 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 08:37, 30 April 2003 view source Ruhrjung (talk | contribs)5,462 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
| ''Main article: ]'' | ''Main article: ]'' | ||
| Finland's nearly 700-year association with the Kingdom of ] began in ] with the introduction of ] by Sweden's King Eric. ] became the dominant language, although ] recovered its predominance after a ] resurgence of Finnish ] following the publication of Finland's national ], the ]. | Finland's nearly 700-year association with the Kingdom of ] began in ] with the introduction of ] by Sweden's King Eric. ] became the dominant language of administration and education, although ] recovered its predominance after a ] resurgence of Finnish ] following the publication of Finland's national ], the ]. | ||
| In ], Finland was conquered by the armies of ] and thereafter remained an autonomous |
In ], Finland was conquered by the armies of ] and thereafter remained an autonomous Grand ] in personal union with the Russian Empire until the end of ]. On ], 1917, shortly after the ] in Russia, Finland declared its independence. In ], the country experienced a brief but bitter ] that coloured domestic politics for many years. During ], Finland fought the ] twice: in the ] of ]-] (with limited support from Sweden) and again in the ] of ]-] (with important support from ]). This was followed by the ] of ]-], when Finland forced the Germans out of northern Finland. | ||
| Treaties signed in ] and ] with the Soviet Union included obligations and restraints on Finland vis-a-vis the Soviet Union as well as territorial concessions by Finland |
Treaties signed in ] and ] with the Soviet Union included obligations and restraints on Finland vis-a-vis the Soviet Union as well as further territorial concessions by Finland (compared to the peace treaty of March 1940). Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in ], Finland was free to follow her own course and joined the ] in ]. | ||
| == Politics == | == Politics == | ||
| Line 87: | Line 87: | ||
| There are two official languages in Finland: ], spoken by 93% of Finns, and ], spoken by the ], who comprise 6% of the population. To the north, in ], are found the ], numbering less than 7,000, who like the Finns speak a ] language (]). Other small national minorities include ]ns, ], ] and ]. | There are two official languages in Finland: ], spoken by 93% of Finns, and ], spoken by the ], who comprise 6% of the population. To the north, in ], are found the ], numbering less than 7,000, who like the Finns speak a ] language (]). Other small national minorities include ]ns, ], ] and ]. | ||
| Most Finns (89%) are members of the ] ], with a minority of 1% belonging to the ](see ]). The remainder consist of relatively small groups of ], ] and ] |
Most Finns (89%) are members of the ] ], with a minority of 1% belonging to the ] (see ]). The remainder consist of relatively small groups of other ] denominations, ], ] and ] beside the unaffiliated. | ||
| == Culture == | == Culture == | ||
Revision as of 08:37, 30 April 2003
The Republic of Finland is a Nordic country, bound by the Baltic Sea to the southwest, the Gulf of Finland to the southeast and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west, bordering Sweden, Norway and Russia.
| ||||
| National motto: None | ||||
| Official languages | Finnish and Swedish | |||
| Capital | Helsinki | |||
| President | Tarja Halonen | |||
| Prime minister | Anneli Jäätteenmäki | |||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 63rd 337,030 km² 9.4% | |||
| Population
- Density | Ranked 106th
15.4/km² | |||
| Independence
- Date | From Russia
December 6, 1917 | |||
| Currency | Euro¹, Finnish euro coins | |||
| Time zone | UTC +2 | |||
| National anthem | Maamme | |||
| Internet TLD | .FI | |||
| Calling Code | 358 | |||
| (1) Prior to 1999: Finnish markka | ||||
History
Main article: History of Finland
Finland's nearly 700-year association with the Kingdom of Sweden began in 1154 with the introduction of Christianity by Sweden's King Eric. Swedish became the dominant language of administration and education, although Finnish recovered its predominance after a 19th century resurgence of Finnish nationalism following the publication of Finland's national epic, the Kalevala.
In 1808, Finland was conquered by the armies of Czar Alexander I and thereafter remained an autonomous Grand Duchy in personal union with the Russian Empire until the end of 1917. On December 6, 1917, shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, Finland declared its independence. In 1918, the country experienced a brief but bitter Civil War that coloured domestic politics for many years. During World War II, Finland fought the Soviet Union twice: in the Winter War of 1939-1940 (with limited support from Sweden) and again in the Continuation War of 1941-1944 (with important support from Germany). This was followed by the Lapland war of 1944-1945, when Finland forced the Germans out of northern Finland.
Treaties signed in 1947 and 1948 with the Soviet Union included obligations and restraints on Finland vis-a-vis the Soviet Union as well as further territorial concessions by Finland (compared to the peace treaty of March 1940). Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Finland was free to follow her own course and joined the European Union in 1995.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Finland
Finland has a primarily parliamentary system, although the president also has some notable powers. Most executive power lies in the cabinet (Council of State) headed by the prime minister chosen by the parliament. The Council of State is made up of the prime minister and ministers for the various departments of the central government as well as an ex-officio member, the Chancellor of Justice.
Constitutionally, the 200-member, unicameral parliament (the Eduskunta) is the supreme authority in Finland. It may alter the constitution, bring about the resignation of the Council of State, and override presidential vetoes; its acts are not subject to judicial review. Legislation may be initiated by the Council of State, or one of the Eduskunta members, who are elected on the basis of proportional representation for a four-year term.
The judicial system is divided between courts with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and special courts with responsibility for litigation between the public and the administrative organs of the state. Finnish law is codified and its court system consists of local courts, regional appellate courts, and a Supreme Court.
Provinces
Main article: Provinces of Finland
Finland consists of 6 provinces (läänit, singular - lääni), following a 1997 redesign that reduced their number from 12:
- Aland Islands (Åland/Ahvenanmaa)
- Eastern Finland (Itä-Suomen Lääni)
- Lapland (Lappi/Sápmi)
- Oulu (Oulun Lääni)
- Southern Finland (Etelä-Suomen Lääni)
- Western Finland (Länsi-Suomen Lääni)
The province of the Aland Islands enjoys a high degree of autonomy.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Finland
Finland is a country of thousands of lakes and islands; 187,888 lakes and 179,584 islands to be precise. The Finnish landscape is mostly flat with few hills and its highest point, the Haltitunturi at 1,328 m, is found in the extreme north of Lapland. Beside the many lakes the landscape is dominated by extensive boreal forests and little arable land. The greater part of the islands are found in southwest, part of the archipelago of the Aland Islands, and along the southern coast in the Gulf of Finland.
The climate is a northern temperate clime, characterised by cold, occasionally severe winters and relatively warm summers. A quarter of Finland's territory lies above the Arctic Circle, and as a consequence the sun does not set for 73 days during summer, and does not rise for up to 51 days during winter.
See also: Cities of Finland
Economy
Main article: Economy of Finland
Finland has a highly industrialised, largely free-market economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, 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.
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 - Finland was one of the 11 countries joining the euro monetary system (EMU) on January 1, 1999 - will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. Growth in 2001 was held back by the global slowdown and will likely be anemic again in 2002.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Finland
There are two official languages in Finland: Finnish, spoken by 93% of Finns, and Swedish, spoken by the Finland-Swedes, who comprise 6% of the population. To the north, in Lapland, are found the Sami, numbering less than 7,000, who like the Finns speak a Finno-Ugric language (Saami). Other small national minorities include Russians, Jews, Roma and Tatars.
Most Finns (89%) are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, with a minority of 1% belonging to the Finnish Orthodox Church (see Eastern Orthodoxy). The remainder consist of relatively small groups of other Protestant denominations, Roman Catholics, Muslims and Jews beside the unaffiliated.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Finland
Holidays
Main article: Holidays in Finland
| Date | English Name | Local Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | Uudenvuodenpäivä | |
| January 6 | Epiphany | Loppiainen | |
| Moveable Friday | Good Friday | Pitkäperjantai | The Friday before Easter Sunday |
| Moveable Sunday | Easter Sunday | Pääsiäispäivä | |
| Moveable Monday | Easter Monday | 2. Pääsiäispäivä | The day after Easter Sunday |
| May 1 | May Day | Vappu | See Walpurgis |
| Moveable Thursday | Ascension Day | Helatorstai | 40 days after Easter |
| Moveable Sunday | Pentecost | Helluintaipäivä | 50 days after Easter |
| Third Friday of June | Midsummer Eve | Juhannusaatto | Non official - however a de facto full holiday |
| Third Saturday of June | Midsummer Day | Juhannuspäivä | |
| First Saturday of November | All Saints Day | Pyhäinpäivä | Moved from November 1 |
| December 6 | Independence day | Itsenäisyyspäivä | |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve | Jouluaatto | Non official - however a de facto full holiday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | Joulupäivä | |
| December 26 | Boxing Day | 2. Joulupäivä or Tapaninpäivä | |
| December 31 | New Year's Eve | Uudenvuodenaatto | Non official - however a de facto full holiday |
| All Sundays | Official holidays - names follow the Liturgical year |
Miscellaneous topics
- Communications in Finland
- Transportation in Finland
- Military of Finland
- Foreign relations of Finland
- Tourism in Finland
International rankings
- worldwide press freedom index Rank 1 out of 139 countries (4 way tie)
External Links
- Virtual Finland - Main portal to Finland
- Government.fi - Official governmental site
- Eduskunta.fi - Official parliamentary site
- Presidentti - Official presidential site
- Diplomatarium Fennicum - Publishing of medieval documents. The National Archives of Finland
European Union:
Austria | Belgium | Denmark | France | Germany | Greece | Ireland | Italy | Luxembourg | Netherlands | Portugal | Spain | Sweden | United Kingdom