Finland

Welcome to Finland

Finland is a country in Northern Europe and shares borders with only three countries: Russia, Norway, and Sweden. These countries do not only define the geographical borders of Finland but also have a great impact on both Finnish culture and history. Henceforth, in the 12th century, Findland was occupied by the Kingdom of Sweden; during this period, this region saw some significant changes, such as the spread of Christianity and the foundation of Swedish law. It remained under Swedish rule until the 19th century, when Sweden handed Finland over to Russia. However, during this age Finland experienced national awakening as the focus was tremendously on Finnish culture, folklore, and language. After that, on December 6, 1917, it declared independence, and since then this country has stayed independent and kept developing. Today Finland is renowned for its high quality of life, excellent education system, and sustainability. Not only that, but it has been chosen as one of the happiest countries in the world multiple times.

Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland and home to over 682K residents. This city was first established in 1550 by the Swedish King Gustav I, then in 1812 became the capital city of Finland. Helsinki is well-known for its design and innovation; this stems from the excellent designs in furniture and buildings, as the works of Aalto and Marimekko are still celebrated. Not only that, but this city is remarkable for its numerous saunas, reflecting the Finnish culture and tradition.

Not to mention Helsinki has so many mesmerizing places to offer visitors, such as the Helsinki Zoo. This is one of the oldest zoos in the world, and it is home to many different kinds of animals. Furthermore, if you are an art lover, you cannot afford to miss out on visiting the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, as it displays a wide variety of current art from both Finnish and international artists. At the same time, you might also want to immerse yourself in the Finnish culture; therefore, Market Square (Kauppatori) is the ideal spot for you. This place is packed with shops for buying souvenirs and local food, as you can try many Finnish cuisines here, including Karjalanpiirakka-Karelian Pasties (these are small pasties full of rice or potato with egg butter). Lohikeitto-Salmon Soup (a creamy soup made with salmon, potato, leeks, and dill served with rye bread) and Mustikkapiirakka-Blueberry Pie (pie made with blueberries served with vanilla sauce or ice cream). 

Interesting Facts About Finland

• Finland has one of the best education system in the world.
• The Finns regard their country as the home of Santa Claus.
• There are approximately 2.2 million saunas in Finland.
• Around 75% of its surface is covered with forests.