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| 7.1.0.1 Population and Area |
Finland is the sixth largest country in Europe in terms of area - 338,000 sq. kilometres. Finland is also famous for its 188,000 lakes and the 30,000 islands dotting the coastline of 1,100 kilometres.
The population is about 5 million.
The capital city is Helsinki with a population of 539 000 (in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area the population is around 1 million).
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| Parliamentary democracy |
Finland is a parliamentary republic with a multiparty political system. Legislative power lies with Parliament, with 200 members elected by direct proportional vote for a term of 4 years. Supreme executive power is exercised by the President, who is elected for a term of 6 years and may serve a maximum of only two consecutive terms, together with the Government, which must enjoy the confidence of Parliament.
Finland is divided into provinces (administered by the State) and municipalities (with local self government). The municipalities levy their own taxes, manage their own economic affairs and maintain public order. One of the provinces, the Åland Islands (between Finland and Sweden), enjoys a special autonomous status.
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| Private ownership and free enterprise |
Before World War II Finland was predominantly an agricultural country with a rather narrow industrial sector; exports came only from the wood processing industry.
The subsequent development into a complex market economy took place very rapidly after World War II. Alongside the wood industry the main manufacturing areas are now the metal industry, chemicals, textiles and construction. The overall structural change of the economy has brought about a dramatic expansion in the service sector: two thirds of the total output is generated in the service sector.
Certain high tech fields, such as computers and communications equipment, have also grown spectacularly. Finland is a world leader in the development of mobile phones and their networks--and Finns are also avid users of these.
Finnish design, too, is well known: classical examples are Marimekko textiles, Iittala glass and Fiskars scissors. Finland’s main trading partners are Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, the United States and Russia.
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| Economic structure (1998) |
Agriculture and forestry 6.7%
Industry 21.4%
Construction 6.4%
Commerce 14.8%
Transport and communication 7.5%
Financial services 11.5%
Miscellaneous services 31.3%
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| Foreign trade by economic regions (1997) |
Imports Exports
EU and EEA 64.7% 57.2%
Rest of Europe 11.8% 16.2%
Developing countries 6.8% 12.5%
Other countries 16.8% 14.2%
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| Climate |
The climate in Finland is milder than in many other areas of the same latitude, partly because of the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. Clean forests and water are often present in the Finnish landscape, whether rural or urban.
The climate can be harsh in winter, January-February being the coldest months, yet providing all the excitement of winter sports. The spring is long, light and cool. The summer months of June-August are mostly delightful with temperatures between
15-30 centigrade.
During the summer it never gets completely dark, and in the north the sun does not set at all for some time. The early autumn can be very beautiful with its burning colours of bright yellow and red.
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| Banks and money exchange |
Banks are open Monday--Friday from 9.00 or 9.15 to 16.00 or 16.15 (Finland uses the 24 hour clock). Office hours may vary regionally. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Cashpoints (Automatic Teller Machines, pikapankki/bankautomat) are open around the clock every day, and there are plenty of them. All banks have branches throughout the country. Bank services can also be available at some post offices.
There are no restrictions on foreign students or trainees opening a bank account in Finland. You will receive a bank card which will give you access to virtually every cashpoint in the country. Apart from withdrawing cash you can also check your balance and pay bills. If you prefer to pay bills by bank transfer (e.g. for your rent), there is a small charge of 5--10 marks. When arranging such transfers you may need to show proof of identity. You will normally receive a statement of all your transactions, including cashpoint use, once a month.
Money can be changed at any bank in Finland as well as at many currency exchange offices in larger cities. It is worth changing large amounts at a time, to avoid service charges. Foreign currency and traveller’s cheques can also be exchanged at some hotels, and at the currency exchange offices at Katajanokka Harbour in Helsinki (open daily 9.00--18.00 plus during the arrival and departure of ships), and at Helsinki Vantaa Airport (open daily 6.30--23.00). Some banks have also automatic currency exchange machines.
Money transfers to and from abroad require an extra commission fee that depends on the destination. Having a bank account here is not necessary for receiving money; instead of the bank account number, the number of the recipient’s passport is given.
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| Credit cards |
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The major credit cards (Visa, Eurocard, Access, Mastercard, Diner’s Club, American Express) are accepted throughout the country. Automatic cashpoints accept Visa. The Eurocheque is not as popular as it is elsewhere.
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| Currency |
The monetary unit is the Finnish Mark (markka), FIM, divided into 100 pennies. Bank notes are FIM 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Coin denominations are 10p and 50p,
1 mark, 5 mark, and 10 mark.
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| Driving |
Licence holders from countries that have joined the Road Traffic Convention (Geneva 1949 or Vienna 1968) may drive in Finland on their national driving licence for one year from the date of entry into the country. After six months you are eligible for a Finnish licence. For more information, contact the local police station.
In Finland we drive on the right and overtake on the left. Main roads are in good condition throughout the year. Headlights are used even during the day. Wearing seatbelts is compulsory, front and back. Special winter tyres are compulsory from November to March.
Note that driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly forbidden. There is an exact limit of 0.05% for alcohol in the blood. Infringement of this rule nearly always means a penalty in the form of a fine or imprisonment. 0.12% is the limit for heavy penalties.
Petrol sold in Finland is unleaded.
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| Electricity |
The voltage is 230 AC (50 cycles). Plugs are two pin continental sizes.
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| Post offices, mail |
Post offices are open Monday--Friday 9.00--18.00 or 20.00. These opening hours may vary depending on the office. Stamped mail (both national and international) can be dropped in the yellow post boxes for collection. Stamps are available at post offices, some book-shops and paper shops, R kiosks, some railway and bus stations, and stamp machines.
The Helsinki Poste Restante is at the main post office (Mannerheimintie 11 E, 00100 Helsinki). It is open Mon--Fri 7.00--21.00, Sat 9.00--18.00 and Sun 11.00--21.00. There is also a Poste Restante at the main post office in other towns.
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| Shopping |
Most shops are open Monday--Friday from 9.00 or 10.00 to 17.00 or 18.00, and on Saturdays until about 15.00. Some shops (especially grocery shops) and department stores stay open later, till 20.00 or 21.00 on weekdays and 18.00 on Saturdays. In summer, some shops may close an hour earlier and some stay open on Sundays. Small items, sweets, magazines etc. can be bought in kiosks, which stay open later in the evenings.
The Helsinki Railway Station has an underground shopping centre open from 10.00 to 22.00, and from 12.00 to 22.00 on Sundays and holidays.
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| Telephone |
Calls can be made from telephone booths with 1 mark or 5 mark coins. Card phones are on the increase: phone cards are sold by Tele and Finnet shops, post offices, R-kiosks and other sales outlets near card phones. There is usually a card sales service near a card phone.
Area code numbers are listed in the telephone directories. The telephone and fax numbers mentioned in this guide apply when calling from outside Finland. If you call within Finland, leave out the country code (358) and either add the number 0 in front of the area code (when calling to another telecommunication area) or leave out the area code (when calling within the telecommunication area). For instance, +358 3 123 4567 becomes 03 123 4567 in the former case and 123 4567 in the latter.
The code for international calls depends on the telephone company you choose: the alternatives are 00 (common European code), 990 (Tele), 994 (Telivo) and 999 (Finnet). Country Direct calls can also be made in Finland.
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| Pubs and restaurants |
There is no shortage of these. Going out for a drink with friends is very popular: the custom is for everyone to pay for himself or herself.
Closing times vary: some places close at 01.00, some bars and discos remain open until 04.00. About half an hour before closing they flash the lights for the last call and then stop serving.
Serving alcohol is forbidden to minors under 18; if asked, you need to show some proof of your age. Note that the age of 18 is the legal limit; bars and night clubs have the right to set higher age limits for their clients and many do so.
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| Tipping |
Tips are customary only for hotel and restaurant doormen and porters. Prices in restaurants include a service charge; a few extra coins may also be left on the table. Hotel bills include a 15% service charge. Barbers and hairdressers do not expect tips.
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| Churches |
Most Finns (about 86%) are Lutheran; 1% belong to the Orthodox Church. These are the official religions in Finland, which means that they keep local population registers of their members. There are also Catholic, Jewish and Islamic congregations as well as numerous smaller religious communities.
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