FINLAND

                                     A Fascinating Country

      Finland, almost the size of Montana, is 700 miles long and 335 miles east to west. A member of the European Union, its currency is the Euro.  Finland perhaps is best known for its peacefulness and beautiful nature. Vast forests, a unique archipelago and thousands of lakes present a striking mixture of wooded hills and waters. Simplicity and bold primary colors form the dramatic Finnish environment.  In addition to its mystical northern nature, Finland also is a modern Nordic country with a high standard of living and an advanced economy and technology. A place where darkness disappears in the summer, Finland has a culture that is different from either Sweden or Russia. In winter the prevailing west southwest wind moves ice toward Finland’s coast so the use of icebreakers is extensive.

       Finland, less than 600-feet above sea level, has thousands of lakes, numerous rivers and extensive marshlands and has a 682-mile long coastline. Three distinct areas exist: the northern highland, the lake district and the coastal plain.

       The first crusade to Finland, led by the King of Sweden in 1155, started a union with Sweden that lasted 600 years. In 1809 Finland was incorporated into the Russian Empire as a Grand Duchy. Swedish laws were retained and the country was allowed to keep its own currency, mail and railway systems. Helsinki became the capital in 1812, replacing Turku in the south-west. The official national languages were – and still are - Finnish and Swedish. Amid the turmoil of the Russian Revolution, Finland declared independence in 1917, establishing its present constitution and status as a republic in 1919.  Finland does not have a monarchy but a president and during my visit she was a woman who had recently been reelected. The president is elected for a six-year term and can be reelected only one time. The Prime Minister is leader of the winning party and serves a four-year term. The coalition government represents eight parties.

       Neutral during WW II, Finland resisted two Russian attacks and emerged from physical devastation with strong economic and military policies.

       Once a dirt poor country many Finns migrated to northern Minnesota.  Between 1809 and 1917 Finland began to industrialize and most of Helsinki’s great buildings were built during that time.  Since the end of WW II Finland has become a modern country with successful timber, paper and telecommunications industries. When the Soviet Union collapsed, about 20 percent of Finland’s trade disappeared. Finland was ruled by both Sweden and Russia before its independence in 1917.

  Although thought of as a Scandinavian country Finland is really more Nordic. Denmark, Norway and Sweden are constitutional monarchies where Iceland and Finland are republics. One third of the country is above the Arctic Circle. In 1906 Finnish women were the first European women to be given the vote, and now women make up 40 percent of the parliament. The Finnish language, related to Estonian and Hungarian, is a difficult one.

            Helsinki is the smallest city to ever host the Olympics.   Stockmann’s department store is the Finn equivalent of London’s Harrods. Plan on a half a day if you want to wander around the large store.