- Capital city: Helsinki
- Total area: 338 000 km²
- Population: 5.3 million
- Currency: euro
Finland lies in northern Europe, bordered by Norway, Sweden, Russia and the Baltic Sea. With a density of 16 inhabitants per km2, Finland is sparsely populated. 60 % of the population live in urban areas. A small Lapp population (Sami) lives in the north and takes care of the large herds of reindeers.
The economy of Finland is based on private ownership. Forestry and forestry-related industries such as pulp and paper have been traditionally very important. The biggest growth in recent years has been within the metal industry sector. Telecom, high-tech industries, paper and paper products, wood and articles of wood, motor vehicles and ships are the main export commodities of Finland. The country essentially imports electric and electronic equipment, motor vehicles, mineral fuels and pharmaceuticals.
Finland is a democratic republic with a unicameral parliament of 200 members who are elected for four years. The President is elected for six years. He is responsible for foreign policy and may dissolve the Parliament. He appoints the Prime Minister, who, subject to approval, selects the cabinet members. Finland has 12 Provinces, administered by appointed governors and is divided into 461 municipalities.
Finland
