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The Finland Portal

Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, opposite Estonia. Finland covers an area of 338,145 square kilometres (130,559 sq mi) and has a population of 5.6 million. Helsinki is the capital and largest city. The vast majority of the population are ethnic Finns. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, of which 84.9 percent and 5.1 percent of the population speak the first as their mother tongue. Finland's climate varies from humid continental in the south to boreal in the north. The land cover is predominantly boreal forest biome, with more than 180,000 recorded lakes.

Finland was first settled around 9000 BC after the last Ice Age. During the Stone Age, various cultures emerged, distinguished by different styles of ceramics. The Bronze Age and Iron Ages were marked by contacts with other cultures in Fennoscandia and the Baltic region. From the late 13th century, Finland became part of the Swedish Empire as a result of the Northern Crusades. In 1809, as a result of the Finnish War, Finland was captured from Sweden and became a Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous state ruled by the Russian Empire. During this period, Finnish art flourished and the idea of full independence began to take hold. In 1906, Finland became the first European state to grant universal suffrage, and the first in the world to give all adult citizens the right to run for public office. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, Finland declared its full independence. In 1918 the young nation was divided by the Finnish Civil War. During World War II, Finland fought against the Soviet Union in the Winter War and the Continuation War, and later against Nazi Germany in the Lapland War. As a result, it lost parts of its territory but retained its independence. (Full article...)

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The Flag of Finland (Finnish: Suomen lippu, Swedish: Finlands flagga), also called siniristilippu ("Blue Cross Flag"), dates from the beginning of the 20th century. On a white background, it features a blue Nordic cross, which represents Christianity.

The state flag has a coat of arms in the centre, but is otherwise identical to the civil flag. The swallow-tailed state flag is used by the military. The presidential standard is identical to the swallow-tailed state flag but also has in its upper-left corner the Cross of Liberty after the Order of the Cross of Liberty, which has the president of Finland as its grand master. Like Sweden's, Finland's national flag is based on the Nordic cross. It was adopted after independence from Russia, when many patriotic Finns wanted a special flag for their country, but its design dates back to the 19th century. The blue colouring is said to represent the country's thousands of lakes and the sky, with white for the snow that covers the land in winter. This colour combination has also been used over the centuries in various Finnish provincial, military, and town flags. (Full article...)

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Photo credit: commons:User:Tanger
A lakeside smoke sauna ("savusauna") in Kannonkoski.

Did you know (auto-generated)

... that Matti Lehtinen, a baritone of the Finnish National Opera and professor of singing at the Sibelius Academy, was the voice of God at age 93?
... that Charlotte Haining was an International Jury Member for the selection of Finland's 2020 Eurovision Song Contest entry?
... that Kimmo Leinonen helped establish both the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame and the IIHF Hall of Fame?
... that Finnish politician Maija Rask earned a PhD at the age of 61 after a career as a nurse, teacher, member of Parliament, and minister of education?
... that records of transgender people in Finland stretch back to the 19th century?
... that Sodankylä Old Church is one of the oldest preserved wooden churches in Finland?

WikiProjects

You are invited to participate in Finland WikiProject, a WikiProject dedicated to developing and improving articles about Finland.

More did you know - show different entries

...that the Finnish company YIT was responsible for the construction of the Finnish National Opera house, the Helsinki Fair Centre and Cirrus, the tallest high-rise building in Finland?
...that the paintings in the Espoo Cathedral were painted over in the 18th century, as they were thought to be "crude and superstitious'?
...that there are three unilingually Swedish municipalities in one province of mainland Finland?
...that Maria, the Finnish form of Mary, is the most popular Finnish name used during the modern era?
...that Finnish film director Valentin Vaala was reportedly so disappointed with his first film that he dumped the original camera negatives into the sea?

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This is a Good article, an article that meets a core set of high editorial standards.

Razorblade Romance is the second studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM, recorded with producer John Fryer. HIM initially began recording the album with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa, who had helmed the group's 1997 debut album, however these sessions proved unsuccessful, and HIM parted ways with Hiilesmaa, and recruited Fryer. The band, along with Fryer, relocated to Rockfield Studios in Wales to begin recording, and released the album on 24 January 2000. Musically, the album featured a sleeker production and a more melodic sound compared to their debut. The album's lead single "Join Me in Death" would prove to be HIM's breakthrough single, reaching number one in Finland and Germany. The song also found its way on to the soundtrack of the 1999 science fiction film The Thirteenth Floor.

Razorblade Romance received mostly positive reviews from critics, with particular praise being given to the songwriting, while the more polished production received some criticism. The album also charted in six countries, peaking at number one in Finland, Germany and Austria, later going double platinum, triple gold, and gold respectively. Razorblade Romance would also go on to chart in the United States in January 2004, making it the band's first album to chart in the US. HIM also won "Album of the Year" at the 2000 Emma Awards, as well as were awarded at the 2004 IFPI Platinum Europe Awards. Three further singles were released from the album, two of which reached number one in Finland. Razorblade Romance was followed by an intensive supporting tour, which nearly resulted in the band breaking up. The album was also HIM's first to feature drummer Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen, and the only to feature keyboardist Jussi-Mikko "Juska" Salminen. (Full article...)

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General images

The following are images from various Finland-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1People gathered in the Senate Square for a demonstration against the February Manifesto in March 1899. (from History of Finland)
Image 2Badge of the Finnish White/Civil Guard (from History of Finland)
Image 3Kalmar Union in 1400s (from History of Finland)
Image 4Women in sauna with Vihtas
Image 5Winter War Monument in Suomussalmi, Kainuu, Finland (from History of Finland)
Image 6Linus Torvalds, a famous Fennoswede software engineer, best known for initiating the development of the Linux kernel (from Culture of Finland)
Image 7The area controlled by Finland at its largest, in 1942 (from History of Finland)
Image 8Battle of Gangut (Hanko) was part of the Great Northern War during 1700–1721. (from History of Finland)
Image 9Painting of Lalli killing Henry. Painting by C. A. Ekman. (from History of Finland)
Image 10Finland Ostrobothnia regiment uniforms in 1705 (from History of Finland)
Image 11A summer cottage (mökki) on a lake island (from Culture of Finland)
Image 12Lapua Movement supporters beating the "red officer" Eino Nieminen in front of the Vaasa courthouse during the 4 June 1930 riot. (from History of Finland)
Image 13Three Finnish Romani women in Helsinki, Finland, in 1930s (from Culture of Finland)
Image 14An old drawing of the city of Turku in the 18th century (from History of Finland)
Image 15Apocalyptica's Perttu Kivilaakso playing metal music live (from Culture of Finland)
Image 16Mikael Agricola hands over the Finnish Translation of the New Testament to King Gustav Wasa. (from History of Finland)
Image 17Women dressed in Finnish folk costumes (from Culture of Finland)
Image 18A smoke sauna (savusauna) in Enonkoski (from Culture of Finland)
Image 19Turku Cathedral and its surroundings from 1814 (from History of Finland)
Image 20Pieces of the Antrea Net (8,300 BC), the oldest-known fishing net in the world. (from History of Finland)
Image 21Signing the Helsinki Accords are the West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, East Germany's leader Erich Honecker, US president Gerald Ford and the Austrian chancellor Bruno Kreisky (from History of Finland)
Image 22S/S Urania in Hanko harbor in 1893, with 509 emigrants on board on their way to America (from History of Finland)
Image 23Jean Sibelius at work in his study (from History of Finland)
Image 24Erkki Karu, one of the pioneers of the Finnish cinema, with cinematographer Eino Kari in 1927 (from Culture of Finland)
Image 25Marshal of Finland Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim visit in Germany, 1942 (from History of Finland)
Image 26Battle of Valkeala was part of the Russo-Swedish War (1788–1790). (from History of Finland)
Image 27The area of Finland in the years 1920–1940. The 1935 county and municipality division on the map. (from History of Finland)
Image 28Imagery collage of Birger Jarl conquering Häme and the construction of Häme Castle (from History of Finland)
Image 29Kastelli Giant's Church in Pattijoki by Pöljä culture [fi] (from History of Finland)
Image 30Sámi / Laplander family in traditional costumes from Finland. (from Culture of Finland)
Image 31The part of Finland controlled by the Reds at its largest in February–March 1918 (from History of Finland)
Image 322007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen celebrating victory at the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix (from Culture of Finland)
Image 33A group of Finnish soldiers operating a Bofors gun during the Continuation War in 1943 (from History of Finland)
Image 34Alvar Aalto, Viipuri Library (1927–35) (from Culture of Finland)
Image 35In the sauna, by Pekka Halonen, 1925 (from Culture of Finland)
Image 36Pekka Halonen's painting "against persecutors" from 1896 depicts the warfare of the ancient Finns. (from History of Finland)
Image 37(1809 Diet of Porvoo) The sovereign's pledge, printed in Finnish (from History of Finland)
Image 38Prehistoric red ochre painted rock art of moose, human figures, and boats in Astuvansalmi, Finland, from ca. 3800–2200 BC (from Culture of Finland)
Image 39The first government of independent Finland. P. E. Svinhufvud, the first Prime Minister of Finland, sitting at the head of the table. (from History of Finland)
Image 40In the middle is the patron saint of Finland, Saint Henry, on the right side of him is Bishop Konrad Bitz and on the left is Dean Magnus Stjernkors; from Missale Aboense (1488) (from History of Finland)
Image 41President K. J. Ståhlberg in his office in 1919 (from History of Finland)
Image 42Homann's map of the Scandinavian Peninsula and Fennoscandia with their surrounding territories: northern Germany, northern Poland, the Baltic region, Livonia, Belarus, and parts of Northwest Russia. Johann Baptist Homann (1664–1724) was a German geographer and cartographer; map dated around 1730. (from History of Finland)
Image 43Paavo Nurmi at the 1920 Summer Olympics (from Culture of Finland)
Image 44Midsummer bonfire (kokko) in Mäntsälä (from Culture of Finland)
Image 45Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki (from Culture of Finland)
Image 46A reconstruction of a 12th-century Perniö costume (from History of Finland)
Image 47Memorial of the Mannerheim Cross Knights of Parikkala, Finland (from History of Finland)
Image 48Janne Ahonen is considered one of the best and most successful currently active ski jumpers. (from Culture of Finland)
Image 49Finnish folk dancers in a 1907 postcard sent from Mustamäki, Finland (from Culture of Finland)
Image 50Kreeta Haapasalo Playing the Kantele in a Peasant Cottage (1868), by Robert Wilhelm Ekman (from History of Finland)
Image 51The decision of the Soviet of the People's Comissars' to recognise Finnish independence, signed by Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Grigory Petrovsky, Joseph Stalin, Isaac Steinberg, Vladimir Karelin, and Alexander Schlichter (from History of Finland)
Image 52Identification document and tag of a Finnish war child (from History of Finland)
Image 53Stone Age stone axe engraved with human face found from Kiuruvesi. (from History of Finland)
Image 54Students on Helsinki's Esplanadi wearing their caps on Vappu (from Culture of Finland)
Image 55Northern Europe in 814 (from History of Finland)
Image 56Wehrmacht soldiers with a local Sámi reindeer herder, Lappland, Sodankylä, Finland 1942 (from History of Finland)
Image 57The ruins of Vammala burned by the Reds, during the Civil war (from History of Finland)
Image 58Grand Duchy of Finland, 75 kopek assignat (1824) (from History of Finland)
Image 59The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), a significant figure in the history of classical music (from Culture of Finland)
Image 60Eero Järnefelt, Burning the Brushwood, 1893 (from History of Finland)
Image 61In 2011 figure skater Kiira Korpi was ranked 4th in the world. (from Culture of Finland)
Image 62A view of Pohjoisesplanadi in the center of Helsinki in 1891 (from History of Finland)
Image 63President Urho Kekkonen's funeral procession in 1986 (from History of Finland)
Image 64Jussipaita (transl. Jussi sweater); a traditional sweater from the Finnish region of Southern Ostrobothnia (from Culture of Finland)
Image 65A triptych by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, depicting the Aino Story of Kalevala on three panes (from Culture of Finland)
Image 66Ancylus Lake covered major part of Finland (7,500–6,000 BC) (from History of Finland)
Image 67This 1825 map of the Grand Duchy of Finland is from a larger work, geographical atlas of the Russian Empire. (from History of Finland)
Image 68Karjalanpiirakka, a traditional Finnish pastry (from Culture of Finland)
Image 69Finnish Guards' Rifle Battalion, 1850s (from History of Finland)
Image 70Captain Aarne Juutilainen at the front at Kollaa during the Winter War (from History of Finland)
Image 71Stone Age dwelling named Kierikki 5000–3000 BC (from History of Finland)
Image 72A peasant girl and a woman in traditional dress from Ruokolahti, eastern Finland, as depicted by Severin Falkman in 1882 (from Culture of Finland)
Image 73Map of Finnish areas ceded to the Soviet Union in 1944, after the Continuation War (from History of Finland)
Image 74The Swedish empire at its largest. Most of present-day Finland was part of Sweden proper, rike, shown in dark green. (from History of Finland)
Image 75Helsinki Accords Treaty (from History of Finland)
Image 76The Finno-Soviet Treaty (from History of Finland)

In the news

2 April 2024 – Viertola school shooting: A student is killed and two others are injured in a shooting at a school in Vantaa, Uusimaa, Finland. A 12-year-old student is detained. (AP) (Yle)
1 March 2024 – 2024 Finnish presidential election: Alexander Stubb is sworn in as the 13th President of Finland. (Reuters)
11 February 2024 – 2024 Finnish presidential election: Alexander Stubb is elected President of Finland with 51.6% of the vote.(Yle)
27 January 2024 – Israel–Hamas war: The United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Italy, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany suspend humanitarian aid to UNRWA over allegations that some UNRWA staff members were involved in the Hamas-led attack on Israel. (BBC News) (CBS News)
14 December 2023 – Finland–United States relations: Finland announces the creation of a defense cooperation agreement with the United States. The agreement will grant Finland access to American military resources for use in defensive operations, while the US will gain military access to Finland in the event of conflict. (Reuters)
29 November 2023 – Finland–Poland relations, Finland–Russia relations: National Security Bureau chief Jacek Siewiera announces that Poland will send "a team of military advisors" to the Finland–Russia border in response to an official request for allied support. Finland says it was unaware of the Polish offer. Russia warns against the move, viewing the concentration of troops on the border as a threat. (Reuters)

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Panorama of Lake Pielinen from a hill in Koli National Park, Finland

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Albert Edelfelt - Louis Pasteur - 1885
Anefo 932-2378 Keke Rosberg, Zandvoort, 03-07-1982 - Restoration
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FIN-A36b-Finlands Bank-20 Markkaa (1862)
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Helsinki July 2013-14
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Kolmen valtakunnan rajapyykki 27.4.1945
Lutheran Cathedral Helsinki edit
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Neste Oil Rally 2010 - Jari-Matti Latvala in shakedown
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Albert Edelfelt - Louis Pasteur - 1885
Anefo 932-2378 Keke Rosberg, Zandvoort, 03-07-1982 - Restoration
FIN-A36b-Finlands Bank-20 Markkaa (1862)
Hankopan
Helsinki July 2013-14
Helsinki July 2013-27a
Kaleva Church 4
Kolmen valtakunnan rajapyykki 27.4.1945
Lutheran Cathedral Helsinki edit
Makasiinit tulessa
Neste Oil Rally 2010 - Jari-Matti Latvala in shakedown
Nils Torvalds MEP, Strasbourg - Diliff
Peugeot 206 WRC
Rally Finland 2010 - shakedown - Nasser Al-Attiyah 1
Scandinavia.TMO2003050
Silja Serenade in Stockholm
VR Sr1 3015 Kuopio Drawbridge
Vexi Salmi

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