Republic Of Finland

World Geography |
Republic of Finland |
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Table of Contents

1. General Information 3
2. Localization and boundaries 4
3. Population 4
4. Government 4
5. Economy and Resources 4
6. Transportation 6
7. Energy 6
8. Geography 7
9. Climate 8
10. Biodiversity and Environmental concerns 8
11. History 9
11.1. Prehistory 9
11.2. Swedish era 9
11.3.Russian Empire era 9
11.4. Civil war and early independence 10
11.5. World War II 10
11.6. Cold War 11
11.7. Recent history 11
12. Religion 12
13. Culture and Society 12
14. Education and Science 13
15. Tourism 14
16. Other miscellaneous information 14
17. Bibliography 15

Republic of Finland


1. General InformationCapital and largest city | Helsinki |
Official languages | Finnish, Swedish |
Recognised regional languages | Saami |
Demonym | Finns, Finnish |
Government | Parliamentary republic |
Independence |
Autonomy from Sweden | March 29, 1809  |
Declared from Soviet Russia | December 6, 1917  |
 Recognised | January 4, 1918  |
Area | total: 337,030 km²land: 305,470 km²water: 31,560km² |
Population |
2011 estimate | 5,391,699 |
 Density | 16/km2 |

2. Localization and boundaries
Finland is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east, with Estonia to its south across the Gulf of Finland.

3. Population

Finland has 5.3 million inhabitants and itsofficial languages are Finnish and Swedish. Finland is a European Union member state. The capital of Finland is Helsinki; other major cities include Tampere, Turku and Oulu.

This country has the majority population concentrated in the southern region. It is the eighth largest country in Europe in terms of area and the most sparsely populated country in the European Union.

4. GovernmentFinland is a parliamentary republic with a central government based in Helsinki and local governments in 336 municipalities. The fundamental administrative divisions of the country are the municipalities, which may also call themselves towns or cities. They account for half of public spending. Spending is financed by municipal income tax, state subsidies, and other revenue. There are 336municipalities, and most have fewer than 6,000 residents. People often identify with their municipality.
The Constitution of Finland defines the political system. Finland is a representative democracy that was formerly a semi-presidential parliamentary system, but now is a largely ceremonial non-executive Presidency. Aside from state-level politics, residents use their vote in municipal elections and inthe European Union elections.
The 200-member unicameral Parliament of Finland exercises the supreme legislative authority in Finland. The parliament may alter laws and the constitution, bring about the resignation of the Council of State, and override presidential vetoes. Its acts are not subject to judicial review. Parliament majority decides its composition, and a vote of no confidence can beused to modify it.
Finland is one of the world's least corrupt countries, according to the report on the corruption perception index.
5. Economy and Resources
Finland is an advanced industrial economy: the metal, engineering and electronics industries account for about 60 per cent of export revenues, the forest products industry for about 20 per cent.
Finland was a relative latecomer toindustrialization, remaining a largely agrarian country until the 1950s. Thereafter, economic development was rapid. Finland built an extensive welfare state and balanced between the East and the West in global economics and politics. With the best educational system in Europe, Finland has recently ranked as one of the world's most peaceful, competitive and livable countries.
Finland has a highly...