FINLAND

Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, noted for its forests, thousands of lakes, and high living standards. It borders Sweden to the west, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Baltic Sea to the south. The capital and largest city is Helsinki. The population is about 5.5 million; official languages are Finnish and Swedish, with Sámi languages spoken by Indigenous communities in Lapland.

Finland is a parliamentary republic. The government is led by the prime minister; the president has mainly ceremonial duties. The unicameral Eduskunta has 200 seats. Finland joined the European Union in 1995, adopted the euro in 2002, and became a member of NATO in 2023. It participates in the Schengen Area and the Nordic Council.

The country features extensive boreal forests and a long coastline with archipelagos. Climate ranges from cold winters to mild summers in the south. Finland emphasizes environmental protection, sustainable energy, and a robust welfare state. Its education system is widely regarded as excellent, with high literacy and strong public services. The economy is highly developed, with services and high-tech manufacturing playing major roles.

Historically part of Sweden until 1809, Finland was a Grand Duchy under Russia before gaining independence in 1917. It fought the Winter War (1939–40) and the Continuation War (1941–44) with the Soviet Union. Since the postwar era, Finland has aligned with Western institutions and is noted for design, literature, and sauna culture.