Geographic Profile of Finland
Finland, officially known as the Republic of Finland, is a country distinguished by its geographical position in Northern Europe and its extensive natural features. It is bordered by Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, Russia to the east, and is flanked by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland. With a total land area of 338,145 square kilometers, Finland is the 65th largest country in the world.
The Finnish landscape is largely flat with some areas rising into low hills. The country’s terrain includes a significant amount of forest and water, with more than 180,000 lakes scattered across its length and breadth, earning it the nickname “Land of a Thousand Lakes.” Finland’s climate is categorized by its division into a humid continental zone in the south and a boreal zone in the north.
Population Insights
With an estimated population of over 5.6 million people as of 2023, Finland ranks as the 114th most populous country globally. Helsinki serves as the capital city and is the most populous urban area, followed by other significant cities such as Espoo, Tampere, Vantaa, and Turku. The Finnish population is composed primarily of ethnic Finns, with Swedish-speaking Finns and other small minority groups making up the rest.
Finnish is the predominant language spoken in Finland, serving as the mother tongue for the vast majority of the population. Swedish is also recognized as an official language and is predominantly spoken by the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland. Additionally, several minority languages are recognized in Finland, including Sami, Karelian, Finnish Kalo, Finnish Sign Language, and Finland-Swedish Sign Language.
The Finnish people predominantly identify with Christianity, with Lutheranism being the largest denomination. A minority adheres to Orthodoxy and other Christian denominations. Notably, a significant portion of the population, approximately 30.6%, associates with no religion, reflecting the secular nature of Finnish society.
Socio-Economic Development
Finland is recognized for its advanced economy and high standard of living. The country has made substantial strides in industrialization, particularly since the end of World War II, and has established a robust welfare system modeled after the Nordic approach. This has enabled Finland to achieve a high level of societal welfare and economic prosperity.
International Relations and Contributions
As a member of the European Union and various other international organizations, Finland has solidified its role on the global stage. It is a contributing member of the United Nations and actively participates in international peacekeeping efforts. Finland’s recent accession to NATO in 2023 further signifies its active engagement in international security affairs.