Finland is renowned for mobile phones, design and Moomins

Finland is called 'the land of the thousand lakes', as inland lakes and rivers make up 10% of the country. The large areas of forest cover almost two thirds of the land mass. Only 6% of Finland is arable.

Finland has a population of 5.5 million, around a million of whom live in the area in and around the capital city, Helsinki.

A significant Swedish-speaking minority lives in Finland, so Finnish and Swedish are both official languages.

Finland is a republic. The president, who is directly elected by the people, has real power over foreign affairs, EU policy and major military decisions. In all other matters, the parliament is the the country's highest authority.

Finland is a member of the EU, and its currency is the euro. The country is not a member of NATO.

The forestry, technology and metal industries are Finland's most important revenue sources. 

GDP per capita is EUR 28,700 (2013).

Total area: 338,430 km2

Land area: 303,890 km2

Lakes and rivers: 34,540 km2

Arable land and horticulture: 22,672 km2

Forests: 227,690 km2

Largest lake: Saimaa 1,377 km2

Highest point: Mount Haltia 1,324 m

Mainland coast line: 6,308 km

Average temperature in Helsinki (1961-1990): January -6.9° C, July 16.6° C

Precipitation in Helsinki (2005): 648 mm

Population (2016): 5,503,297

Population of Helsinki (2016): 1,138,502 including suburbs (1)

National day: 6 December (Independence Day)

Form of government: Republic

Parliament: Eduskunta (200 seats)

EU membership: Since 1 January 1995

NATO membership: No

Head of state (since March 2012): President Sauli Niinistö    

Head of government (since June 2019): Prime Minister Antti Rinne

Currency: Euro

Official website: www.finland.fi

Official language: Finnish and Swedish

1) Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, and Vantaa

Source: Norden