Facts about Finland are on offer today! Our neighbouring country offers everything from fascinating history to world-leading companies and some more unusual phenomena. Did you know this?
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Facts about Finland
Finland shares land borders with its Nordic neighbours Sweden and Norway, where the countries' borders meet at Treriksröset in the north. Finland also shares a land border with Russia and a maritime border with Estonia and Åland.
1. Finnish saunas are recognised worldwide
In Finland, it is normal to have a sauna in the house... and to jump into a lake after the sauna. The number of saunas in Finland is around two million. That's not bad for a population of 5.3 million! There's even a sauna at Burger King and the Ferris wheel in Helsinki.
Finland is famous for its sauna rituals and traditions. Don't be alarmed if your Finnish friend starts gently hitting you with a birch twig, it's their way of improving your circulation. Roll in the snow or plunge into an ice-cold lake afterwards. Welcome to Finland!
2. Finland had a kingdom for two months
After centuries of Swedish and Russian rule, Finland became an independent state in 1917. The Kingdom of Finland was formed shortly afterwards in an attempt to give Finland its own monarchy, but it lasted less than a year due to the Finnish Civil War and the start of World War I. Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse was nominated as Finland's first king, but abdicated the throne after just two months. Finland has since remained a constitutional democracy.
3. Åland belongs to Finland
The self-governing and Swedish-speaking archipelago Åland belongs to Finland. The archipelago is not only beautiful, but also a demilitarised zone, which means there can be no military activity. Åland has its own provincial laws, its own flag, its own stamps, its own licence plates and its own police.
4. Marimekko is from Finland
Marimekko is based in Helsinki and is a textile and clothing design house known globally for its colourful printed fabrics. Armi Ratia, Marimekko's founder, banned floral prints at Marimekko in 1964, as she considered them clichéd and that designers could not depict flowers better than nature.
Maija Isola, then one of the company's lead designers, rebelled and created a whole collection of pop art-inspired floral designs. Ratia couldn't refuse and eventually chose eight designs from Isola's collection, including Unikko, which continues to be printed to this day.
5. Facts about Finland - it has the largest archipelago in the world
It's easy to see why Finns love to head for lakeside cottages and islands, there are so many of them and many are incredibly beautiful. Finland holds the world record for the most lakes in a single country, with around 188,000, and also the world's largest off-shore archipelago Turku with 20 000 beautiful islands to visit.
6. Suomenlinna fell after treason
In 1748, when Finland was part of Sweden, it began to defend itself against the East in the form of the castle Sveaborg. The fortress took 40 years to build and included a church, dry dock, shipyard and prison camp. During the Russian siege of Suomenlinna in 1808, the fortress was defended by around 7,000 men and 2,000 cannons in the 110-ship archipelago fleet. Suomenlinna was impregnable!
The Russian besiegers reached a maximum of 6,500 men with 59 guns, and after a few months of siege and sparse shelling, the intact fortress that was the key to Finland surrendered. The commander of the fortress, Vice Admiral Carl Cronstedt, has gone down in history as one of Sweden's greatest traitors of all time when he opened the doors to the Russians for no reason. Today, the castle is called Suomenlinna (Finland's Castle).
7. the plot lives in Rovaniemi
Despite the prevailing myth that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, his official home is actually Rovaniemi, Lapland. Santa Claus Village is one of Finland's most popular tourist destinations, receiving over half a million visitors every year. The post office receives more than 700,000 children's letters to Santa every Christmas from 198 countries.
The artist Haddon Sundblom (1899-1976), with roots on the island of Åland Föglö, is known for creating images of Father Christmas for Coca-Cola in the 1930s.
8. There is a day for failures in Finland
Finland created a day of failure in 2010. It sounds really odd, but there are points. Many things have evolved because of what was first seen as failure. By reducing the stigma around failure, people can become less afraid and dare to try harder. The day falls every year on 13 October.
9. Liquorice is popular
Finland is known for its 'obsession' with liquorice. For example, you can find chocolate with liquorice filling and liquorice flavoured ice cream. If you like liquorice, Finland is heaven!
10. You will find Different sports in Finland
Finland hosts a whole bunch of quirky competitions such as wife-bearing, mobile phone throwing, mosquito hunting, swamp football, world air guitar championships and rubber boot throwing.
The Wife Carrying World Championship every year in Sonkajärvi is exactly what it sounds like. Husbands carry their wives in one of three accepted positions around an obstacle course in the hope of winning first prize - his wife's weight in beer.
This peculiar Finnish tradition dates back to the 1880s, and all over Finland you'll find men training - yes, training - for this odd sport.
11. the Finnish flag represents snow and water
Author, historian, poet and Finland's fairy-tale uncle Zacharias Topelius was born in 1808, during the time when Russia ruled Finland, and was a strong advocate of Finnish independence. In his old home outside Jakobstad are some of Finland's early suggestions for what a Finnish flag might look like. The white bottom is said to represent snow and the blue cross is said to represent the waters of the Land of a Thousand Lakes.
12. Facts about Finland - there are 7 Unesco World Heritage Sites
Finland boasts seven Unesco World Heritage Sites
- Soumenlinna (Suomenlinna)
- Old Town of Rauma
- Petäjävesi old church
- Verla wood grinding and cardboard factory
- Kvarken archipelago
- Sammallahdenmäki
- Struve meridian arc
13. Iittala glasses come from Finland
The story of Iittala began 140 years ago, when the glassworks was founded in 1881 in the village of Iittala, by the Smålander Petrus Magnus Abramamson. It was there that Iittala's world-famous design history took shape. The factory is still in operation and has worked with artists such as Alvar Aalto, Gunnel Nyman and Tapio Virkkala over the years.
14. Finland was part of Sweden for over 600 years
Finland was part of Sweden for over 600 years, during which time Turku was Sweden's second largest city after Stockholm. Gustav Vasa's son Duke Johan married the Polish Katarina Jagellonica in 1562, and they moved to "a place in eastern Sweden called Finland", specifically to Turku Castle.
Sweden lost Finland in the Battle of Oravais in Ostrobothnia in 1808 to the Russian Empire, which ruled Finland from 1809 to 1917.
15. Moomins are from Finland
Swedish-speaking Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson created the Moomins. The creatures appeared in nine books, as well as picture books, comics, TV series and films. I Naantali keeps the amusement park The Moomin world open daily from mid-June to mid-August. The blueberry-coloured Moominhouse, where guests can explore all five levels, is one of the park's main attractions.
16. Finland breathes rock music
Nightlife in Finland is for those who are a fan of heavy metal music. The country is known worldwide for its great contributions to the heavy metal scene. In fact, several of the genre's most famous bands come from Finland.
16. Sami people live in northern Finland
Finland, along with Sweden, Norway and Russia, is home to Europe's only indigenous people, the Sami. The Sámi live mainly in the northern parts of the country and are traditionally engaged in activities such as reindeer herding. Today, around 10,000 Sámi live in Finland and their national day is celebrated on 6 February.
18. Facts about Finland - the country became independent in 1917
Between 1809 and 1917, the 'Grand Duchy of Finland' was an autonomous entity within the Russian Empire, with the Russian Tsar as head of state. This era ended on 6 December 1917. Russia took its time and recognised Finland's independence on 4 January 1918, meaning Finland has only been independent for just over 100 years.
19. Karelian pasties are the national dish of Finland
Karelian pies (Karjalanpiirakka) are the national dish of Finland and originate from the Karelia region in eastern Finland. They are filled with rice, potatoes or carrots in rye dough and served with a little butter or egg butter.
20. Europe's longest border is in Finland
The border between Finland and Russia is one of Europe's longest between two nations - 1 340 kilometres in total, cutting from north to south through a lot of uninhabited forest. This border divides the traditional region of Karelia into two parts.
21. Finland is known as the happiest country in the world
When the World Happiness Report ranks happiness levels around the world, Finland consistently comes out on top. It is a Nordic welfare state with the world's largest archipelago and 75% of its surface covered by forests. Finland is also known as a safe travelling destination and a test showed that 11 out of 12 lost wallets are returned to their owners.
22. The world's youngest head of government from Finland
Finland made history in 1906 by being the first European country to give women the right to vote. Finland later made headlines for having the youngest prime minister, Sanna Marin. Only 34, she led a coalition government, led women. Sanna was not only the youngest prime minister, she was also the world's youngest head of government.
23. Facts about Finland - Finns are considered silent
Finns may not be the greatest at small talk, and quiet moments in conversation are not considered uncomfortable. However, Finns tend to mean what they say. The country's inhabitants are also known for a certain modesty and self-deprecating humour.
24. There is a fox in Finland that sets the Northern Lights on fire
The Northern Lights can be seen in several northern countries, including Finland. Lapland is one of the best areas to see the Northern Lights, and Kilpisjärvi, for example, is considered a good place.
According to Finnish folklore, the Northern Lights are caused by a mysterious Arctic fox that runs north. He sets the sky on fire by touching the mountains with his fur.
25. Nokia was the world leader in mobile phones
Did you know that Nokia started as a wood grinding company in 1865? In the 1960s, rubber became an attractive product and Nokia started making rubber boots and galoshes. In the 1970s, Nokia helped create the Nordic mobile phone network and the first Mobira phones were released in 1979.
Nokia created the first GSM call in 1991, and the first satellite call in 1994. Throughout the 1990s, Nokia was a world-leading phone manufacturer.
26. Finland is known for its drinking culture
Finland is known for its love of vodka, and the Finns' attitude to alcohol can be summarised in one of their own idioms: "one drop won't kill you and you can't drown in a bucket".
It's hard to believe today, but Finland actually had an alcohol ban from 1919 to 1932. Fittingly, Finns also have a word for drinking alone at home in your underwear with no intention of going out: Kalsarikännit.
27. Facts about Finland - Jusovar Day
Dating back to the Middle Ages, Sleepy Head Day comes from the Finnish superstition that the last person to rise on this day would be lazy for the rest of the year.
On Jusovar Day, 27 July, the last person in the house to get out of bed is thrown into a lake, river or sea. In Naantali, it is a full-fledged event, where a Finnish celebrity is ceremonially thrown into the sea every year.
28. Finland tops the list of best education
Finland has repeatedly topped lists of the best education countries in the world. Most pupils in Finland leave school with at least two languages, Finnish or Swedish and English, and many also choose another European language. Finnish children also have plenty of time to play sports, socialise and learn independent skills.
29. Fazer chocolate comes from Finland
Born in Helsinki in 1866, Karl Fazer had an early dream of changing the flavours of the world. He trained early, and at the age of 25 he opened a pastry shop in Helsinki.
Karl was also a pioneer in advertising back in the 19th century, paying to advertise Fazer on horse-drawn trams in the capital. Today, Fazer has a visitor centre where you can buy Fazer products and also take a guided tour.
30. Facts about Finland - The world's first diving suit is in Finland
"The Old Gentleman of Raahe", is the world's oldest preserved diving suit and can be found in Brahestad in Finland. The diving suit dates from the early 18th century and was made of calfskin, which was waterproofed using pork fat, tar and pitch. You crawled in through a hole in the belly and got air through wooden tubes, which were attached to the top of the head. The diving suit was then used to work on boat hulls, for example.
More interesting facts about Finland
more Mobile games from Finland
- The mobile gaming sensation Angry Birds started in Finland. The game's creator Rovio Entertainment was founded by students in 2003 and went public in 2017 at a valuation of $1 billion.
- Nokia's Snake - arguably the most influential mobile game ever.
- Clash of Clans is also from Finland.
Facts about Finland - Is Finland Nordic or Scandinavian?
A common misconception about Finland is that it is part of Scandinavia. Finland is part of the Nordic region, along with Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. However, it is not part of Scandinavia, which consists only of Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
Good childcare in Finland
According to Visit Finland, all mums can stay at home with their children for a year while receiving full pay or benefits. It is also free to use public transport in most cities if you are travelling with a pram and child. Finns offer the same right to maternity and paternity leave to parents who make their own decisions about bringing up their children.
Finland's largest lake Saimaa with its own seal
With an area of 1 700 square kilometres, Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland. The lake is home to the Saimaa ringed seal, a seal found only in this lake. The seal has lived here for 8,000 years and became isolated from other seal species after the ice age.
Facts about Finland - What are Finland's Swedes?
- Finland Swedes are Finns whose mother tongue is Swedish.
- Around 270 000 people in Finland have Swedish as their mother tongue and 25 000 of them live in Åland.
- Finland-Swedes who do not live in or around Åland often live in the Turku region, the south-west of Finland and in Ostrobothnia.
Bomarsund Fortress in Åland
- Construction of the Bomarsunds fortress in Åland began in 1832, at a time when Åland and Finland were part of Russia. The Russian Empire had envisioned a close outpost to the West, but the fortress was not even completed before it was attacked and destroyed by British-French troops.
- On 10 August 1854, 12,000 men and 80 warships from England and France attacked and took over Bomarsund and blew up the fortress.
Hesburger is Finland's hamburger chain
Hesburger started in 1980 in Turku with its first restaurant. Today, Hesburger has around 490 restaurants, 280 of which are in Finland. Other countries include Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Germany.
Coffee habits in Finland
With an average of 12kg per year, Finns drink more coffee per person than anyone else in the world.
Finland is known for Boatbuilders
Not only are all the usual motor and sailing boats built in Finland, but huge cruise ships like Royal Caribbean are also major customers in Finland. By 2025, the world's largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas, will be completed and then several sister ships will be built in Turku.
The Tikkurila paint group is from Finland
Tikkurila started in 1909 and became Finland's largest paint manufacturer. Over the years, Tikkurila has acquired Alcro-Beckers in Sweden and Tekc in Russia.
Facts about Finland - Good and bad ...
Finland is surprisingly pioneering for a small nation of around 5 million. Some more inventions originating in Finland
- The salvage pool
- The heart rate monitor
- Linux OS
- Skating shoes
- Angry Birds
- Molotov cocktails
Finnish graduates get interesting memories
Instead of the graduation cap and gown, Finnish high school students get a sailor-style cap at their graduation ceremony, a tradition that dates back to 1870. Doctoral students are even luckier; they get a top hat and a sword!
Famous Sports from Finland
- Ice Hockey: The Finnish Lions with several famous players in the NHL such as Teemu Selänne, Jari Kurri, Saku Koivu, Jari Lehtonen, Esa Tikkanen
- Cross-country skiing: Samppa Lajunen
- Athletics: Lasse Virén, Paavo Nurmi
- Rally: Tommi Mäkinen
- Formula 1: Kimi Räikkönen, Keke Rosberg
Facts about Finland - Famous Music Groups from Finland
Here, it is primarily rock that counts ...
- Lordi
- Nightwish
- Him
- Apocalyptica
- The Rasmus
Finland accidentally built a lighthouse on the Swedish side of the border
The Swedish/Finnish border crosses right over a small island called Märket in the Gulf of Bothnia, which is the westernmost point of Finnish territory. In 1885, Finland (then an autonomous part of Russia) accidentally built a lighthouse on the Swedish side of the island. As the island is uninhabited, the mistake was ignored for 100 years. In 1985, the border was officially changed to an unusual S-shape to place the lighthouse on Finnish territory.
Some Michelin-starred restaurants in Finland
- Butter in Turku
- Kaskis in Turku
- Spring in Porvoo
- Restaurant Palace in Helsinki
- Green in Helsinki
Many national parks in Finland
Finland has 41 beautiful national parks to boast about. Get your hiking gear on and head out into the great outdoors!
More facts about Finland
- Population: 5.5 million (2021)
- Language: Finnish and Swedish
- National Day: 6 December (Independence Day 1917)
- Governance: Republic
- Parliament: Parliament (200 seats)
- Membership in the EU: 1 January 1995
- Membership in NATO: 4 April 2023
- Head of State: President
- Head of Government: Prime Minister
- Surface: 338,430 kv2
- Biggest lake: Semen
- Highest mountain: Halde mountain 1 324 m
- National bird: Whooper swan
- Beer varieties: Kahru, Koff, Sandells
- Nationalhelgon: Bishop Henrik
- Nobel laureates: Martti Ahtisaari, Ragnar Granit, Bengt Holmström, Frans Eemil Sillanpää, Artturi Virtanen
- Literature prize winners: Mr Frans Eemil Sillanpää
- Composers: Johan Julius Christian Sibelius 1865-1957
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Helena from Finland says:
Hi there and thanks for the great Finland info! A lot we didn't know😂Want to correct one thing. Our border with Russia is 134 miles. Anyway, it is long. Have a good time 🥰
10 August 2024 - 11:12
Helena says:
Thanks for the correction, fixed it! 🙂 I also changed from "mile" to "kilometre" because mile usually gets wrong at the automatic translation to other languages...!
10 August 2024 - 11:26
Annette says:
Fun and interesting reading! We should adopt the tradition of presenting doctoral students with a sword when they defend their thesis! I'm renting out a small cottage with a storage room, and a man from Finland asked if he could turn the storage room into a sauna, apropos of how much Finns love to sauna! I had heard about the incredible land of lakes and thought that travelling along water through Finland would be very beautiful. I hardly saw a single watercourse. There was always forest between the road and the water. it was a big disappointment. But it was still overall a positive experience 🙂
10 August 2024 - 16:22
Helena says:
Interesting story about the storage room! Yes, probably sauna is popular in our neighbouring country always! 😉 Aha, sorry you didn't get to see the lakes from the road, but nice that it was a good experience anyway!
11 August 2024 - 7:37
Frido says:
Sleepy head day is called Sjusovardagen in Finnish-Swedish.
Thank you for highlighting Finland on your platform!
10 August 2024 - 17:21
Helena says:
Glad you appreciate us highlighting Finland and thanks for the word in Finland Swedish. I have added this now! (Remember they told me about this day when we were in Naantali, but we talked about it in English and have since read about it in English too. Good with the Finland-Swedish word too of course!)
11 August 2024 - 7:39
Anta Snaque says:
Interesting and nice writing about our dear eastern neighbour. But some errors have crept in.
I, a non-Finnish speaker, but living just a couple of hours from the Finnish border (and gifted with a lovely sister-in-law from southern Finland), reacted to the spelling of Suomenlinna. It is not spelt Sou.... Finland is called Suomi in Finnish.
Furthermore, Iittala is spelt with two i's. Maija Isola is not called Marija. And Sibelius is known as Jean, not Johan.
Even more fun to blog-read when it's right. 😉
14 August 2024 - 1:03
Helena says:
Of course, it is nicer with correctly spelt words! Thanks for your keen eye! 🙂 Will fix right away!!!
14 August 2024 - 6:05