Finland, or the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, opposite Estonia. Its capital and largest city is Helsinki. Finland has a population of 5.7 million. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, the mother tongues of 83.5 percent and 5.0 percent of the population, respectively. Finland's climate varies from humid continental in the south to boreal in the north. Its land is predominantly covered by boreal forest, with over 180,000 recorded lakes.
Finland was first settled around 9000 BC after the last Ice Age. During the Stone Age, various cultures emerged, distinguished by different styles of ceramics. The Bronze Age and Iron Ages were marked by contacts with other cultures in Fennoscandia and the Baltic region. From the late 13th century, Finland became part of Sweden following the Northern Crusades. In 1809, as a result of the Finnish War, Finland was captured from Sweden and became an autonomous grand duchy within the Russian Empire. During this period, Finnish art flourished and an independence movement gradually developed. (Full article...)
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The 1952 Summer Olympics (Finnish: Kesรคolympialaiset 1952, Swedish: Olympiska sommarspelen 1952), officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad (Finnish: XV olympiadin kisat, Swedish: Spel i XV Olympiaden) and commonly known as Helsinki 1952, were an international multi-sport event held from 19 July to 3 August 1952 in Helsinki, Finland.
After Japan declared in 1938 that it would be unable to host the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo due to the ongoing Second Sino-Japanese War, Helsinki had been selected to host the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were then cancelled due to World War II. Tokyo eventually hosted the games in 1964. Helsinki is the northernmost city at which a summer Olympic Games have been held. With London hosting the 1948 Olympics, 1952 is the most recent time when two consecutive summer Olympic Games were held entirely in Europe. The 1952 Summer Olympics was the last of the two consecutive Olympics to be held in Northern Europe, following the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. (Full article...)
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Photo credit: Christopher Batt
Juuso Pykรคlistรถ in his Peugeot 206 WRC during the 2003 Swedish Rally.
Did you know (auto-generated)
- ... that the Grand Prix of Finland was held again in 2022 after Russia was banned from hosting international figure skating competitions?
- ... that Finnish-American model Selene Mahri married three millionaires and is credited with inventing the saying "Marriage is a question of give and take. You give. I take"?
- ... that Finland won its first Olympic ice hockey medal under the leadership of Kai Hietarinta?
- ... that Turku remained the largest city in Finland after three quarters of it burned down?
- ... that a 1981 article about the disease of Turku claimed that the city council of Turku was made up of Finnish Freemasons?
- ... that Sodankylรค Old Church is one of the oldest preserved wooden churches in Finland?
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More did you know - show different entries
- ...that the Finnish Communist leader Arvo Tuominen broke with the Soviet Union during the Winter War and ordered the Finnish Communists not to assist the Red Army?
- ...that mobile phone throwing is an international sport in which thrown mobile phones are judged by the distance and choreographics of the throw?
- ...that the self-taught weapon designer Aimo Lahti designed over 50 weapons of all types prior to and during World War II, including the successful Suomi M-31?
- ...that Norse sagas record some Finnish campaigns against Sweden in the mid-8th century?
- ...that Larin Paraske, a Finnish oral poet, could recite over 32,000 verses of poetry?
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Sami Sakari Salo (born 2 September 1974) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman of the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his professional career with TPS of the SM-liiga before being selected by the Ottawa Senators with their last pick in the 1996 NHL entry draft.
He joined the Senators in 1998โ99 and was selected to the NHL All-Rookie Team. In the 2002 off-season, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks with whom he recorded three 30-point campaigns. Prior to the 2012โ13 NHL season he signed with the Lightning as a free agent. Due to the 2004โ05 NHL lockout, Salo played overseas with Frรถlunda HC of the Swedish Elite League and helped the club capture the Le Mat Trophy as league champions. Internationally, Salo has competed for Finland, appearing in two World Championships, three Winter Olympics and one World Cup. He won silver medals at the 2001 World Championships and the 2006 Winter Olympics, as well as a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics. (Full article...)
General images
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President K. J. Stรฅhlberg in his office in 1919 (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 6In 2011 figure skater Kiira Korpi was ranked 4th in the world. (from Culture of Finland)In 2011 figure skater Kiira Korpi was ranked 4th in the world. (from Culture of Finland)
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Kalmar Union in 1400s (from History of Finland)
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Northern Europe in 814 (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 9Prehistoric red ochre painted rock art of moose, human figures, and boats in Astuvansalmi, Finland, from ca. 3800โ2200 BC (from Culture of Finland)Prehistoric red ochre painted rock art of moose, human figures, and boats in Astuvansalmi, Finland, from ca. 3800โ2200 BC (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 10Linus Torvalds, a famous Fennoswede software engineer, best known for initiating the development of the Linux kernel (from Culture of Finland)Linus Torvalds, a famous Fennoswede software engineer, best known for initiating the development of the Linux kernel (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 11Signing the Helsinki Accords are the West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, East Germany's leader Erich Honecker, US president Gerald Ford and the Austrian chancellor Bruno Kreisky (from History of Finland)Signing the Helsinki Accords are the West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, East Germany's leader Erich Honecker, US president Gerald Ford and the Austrian chancellor Bruno Kreisky (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 12Kreeta Haapasalo Playing the Kantele in a Peasant Cottage (1868), by Robert Wilhelm Ekman (from History of Finland)Kreeta Haapasalo Playing the Kantele in a Peasant Cottage (1868), by Robert Wilhelm Ekman (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 13Map of Finnish areas ceded to the Soviet Union in 1944, after the Continuation War (from History of Finland)Map of Finnish areas ceded to the Soviet Union in 1944, after the Continuation War (from History of Finland)
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Badge of the Finnish White/Civil Guard (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 15The public education system founded during earlier Swedish rule resulted the literacy of Grand Duchy of Finland being higher than its host country Russian Empire (map of 1897 census literacy data) (from History of Finland)The public education system founded during earlier Swedish rule resulted the literacy of Grand Duchy of Finland being higher than its host country Russian Empire (map of 1897 census literacy data) (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 16This 1825 map of the Grand Duchy of Finland is from a larger work, geographical atlas of the Russian Empire. (from History of Finland)This 1825 map of the Grand Duchy of Finland is from a larger work, geographical atlas of the Russian Empire. (from History of Finland)
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Grand Duchy of Finland, 75 kopek assignat (1824) (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 18Finnish folk dancers in a 1907 postcard sent from Mustamรคki, Finland (from Culture of Finland)Finnish folk dancers in a 1907 postcard sent from Mustamรคki, Finland (from Culture of Finland)
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Students on Helsinki's Esplanadi wearing their caps on Vappu (from Culture of Finland)
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Helsinki Accords Treaty (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 21Memorial of the Mannerheim Cross Knights of Parikkala, Finland (from History of Finland)Memorial of the Mannerheim Cross Knights of Parikkala, Finland (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 22People gathered in the Senate Square for a demonstration against the February Manifesto in March 1899. (from History of Finland)People gathered in the Senate Square for a demonstration against the February Manifesto in March 1899. (from History of Finland)
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Sรกmi family in traditional costumes from Finland. (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 24Mikael Agricola hands over the Finnish Translation of the New Testament to King Gustav Wasa. (from History of Finland)Mikael Agricola hands over the Finnish Translation of the New Testament to King Gustav Wasa. (from History of Finland)
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Women dressed in Finnish folk costumes (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 26Homann's map of the Scandinavian Peninsula and Fennoscandia with their surrounding territories: northern Germany, northern Poland, the Baltic region, Livonia, Belarus, and parts of Northwest Russia. Johann Baptist Homann (1664โ1724) was a German geographer and cartographer; map dated around 1730. (from History of Finland)Homann's map of the Scandinavian Peninsula and Fennoscandia with their surrounding territories: northern Germany, northern Poland, the Baltic region, Livonia, Belarus, and parts of Northwest Russia. Johann Baptist Homann (1664โ1724) was a German geographer and cartographer; map dated around 1730. (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 27Marshal of Finland Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim visit in Germany, 1942 (from History of Finland)Marshal of Finland Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim visit in Germany, 1942 (from History of Finland)
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Turku Cathedral and its surroundings from 1814 (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 29The part of Finland controlled by the Reds at its largest in FebruaryโMarch 1918 (from History of Finland)The part of Finland controlled by the Reds at its largest in FebruaryโMarch 1918 (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 30Portrait of Finnish poet Elias Lรถnnrot who wrote "the Kalevala" (1802 - 1884) (from History of Finland)Portrait of Finnish poet Elias Lรถnnrot who wrote "the Kalevala" (1802 - 1884) (from History of Finland)
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Midsummer bonfire (kokko) in Mรคntsรคlรค (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 32Battle of Gangut (Hanko) was part of the Great Northern War during 1700โ1721. (from History of Finland)Battle of Gangut (Hanko) was part of the Great Northern War during 1700โ1721. (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 33Pekka Halonen's painting "against persecutors" from 1896 depicts the warfare of the ancient Finns. (from History of Finland)Pekka Halonen's painting "against persecutors" from 1896 depicts the warfare of the ancient Finns. (from History of Finland)
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A smoke sauna (savusauna) in Enonkoski (from Culture of Finland)
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Identification document and tag of a Finnish war child (from History of Finland)
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Finland Ostrobothnia regiment uniforms in 1705 (from History of Finland)
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Women in sauna with Vihtas
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Stone Age dwelling named Kierikki 5000โ3000 BC (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 42Erkki Karu, one of the pioneers of the Finnish cinema, with cinematographer Eino Kari in 1927 (from Culture of Finland)Erkki Karu, one of the pioneers of the Finnish cinema, with cinematographer Eino Kari in 1927 (from Culture of Finland)
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Eero Jรคrnefelt, Burning the Brushwood, 1893 (from History of Finland)
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President Urho Kekkonen's funeral procession in 1986 (from History of Finland)
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Jean Sibelius at work in his study (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 46A group of Finnish soldiers operating a Bofors gun during the Continuation War in 1943 (from History of Finland)A group of Finnish soldiers operating a Bofors gun during the Continuation War in 1943 (from History of Finland)
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An old drawing of the city of Turku in the 18th century (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 48The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865โ1957), a significant figure in the history of classical music (from Culture of Finland)The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865โ1957), a significant figure in the history of classical music (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 49The decision of the Soviet of the People's Comissars' to recognise Finnish independence, signed by Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Grigory Petrovsky, Joseph Stalin, Isaac Steinberg, Vladimir Karelin, and Alexander Schlichter (from History of Finland)The decision of the Soviet of the People's Comissars' to recognise Finnish independence, signed by Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Grigory Petrovsky, Joseph Stalin, Isaac Steinberg, Vladimir Karelin, and Alexander Schlichter (from History of Finland)
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A summer cottage (mรถkki) on a lake island (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 51Lapua Movement supporters beating the "red officer" Eino Nieminen [fi] in front of the Vaasa courthouse during the 4 June 1930 riot. (from History of Finland)Lapua Movement supporters beating the "red officer" Eino Nieminen [fi] in front of the Vaasa courthouse during the 4 June 1930 riot. (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 53The area of Finland in the years 1920โ1940. The 1935 county and municipality division on the map. (from History of Finland)The area of Finland in the years 1920โ1940. The 1935 county and municipality division on the map. (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 54Pieces of the Antrea Net (8,300 BC), the oldest-known fishing net in the world. (from History of Finland)Pieces of the Antrea Net (8,300 BC), the oldest-known fishing net in the world. (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 58(1809 Diet of Porvoo) The sovereign's pledge, printed in Finnish (from History of Finland)(1809 Diet of Porvoo) The sovereign's pledge, printed in Finnish (from History of Finland)
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A reconstruction of a 12th-century Perniรถ costume (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 61Ancylus Lake covered major part of Finland (7,500โ6,000 BC) (from History of Finland)Ancylus Lake covered major part of Finland (7,500โ6,000 BC) (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 62A peasant girl and a woman in traditional dress from Ruokolahti, eastern Finland, as depicted by Severin Falkman in 1882 (from Culture of Finland)A peasant girl and a woman in traditional dress from Ruokolahti, eastern Finland, as depicted by Severin Falkman in 1882 (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 63Imagery collage of Birger Jarl conquering Hรคme and the construction of Hรคme Castle (from History of Finland)Imagery collage of Birger Jarl conquering Hรคme and the construction of Hรคme Castle (from History of Finland)
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Karjalanpiirakka, a traditional Finnish pastry (from Culture of Finland)
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The area controlled by Finland at its largest, in 1942 (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 662007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Rรคikkรถnen celebrating victory at the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix (from Culture of Finland)2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Rรคikkรถnen celebrating victory at the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix (from Culture of Finland)
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Finnish Guards' Rifle Battalion, 1850s (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 68A triptych by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, depicting the Aino Story of Kalevala on three panes (from Culture of Finland)A triptych by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, depicting the Aino Story of Kalevala on three panes (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 69Wehrmacht soldiers with a local Sรกmi reindeer herder, Lappland, Sodankylรค, Finland 1942 (from History of Finland)Wehrmacht soldiers with a local Sรกmi reindeer herder, Lappland, Sodankylรค, Finland 1942 (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 70Jussipaita (transl. Jussi sweater); a traditional sweater from the Finnish region of Southern Ostrobothnia (from Culture of Finland)Jussipaita (transl. Jussi sweater); a traditional sweater from the Finnish region of Southern Ostrobothnia (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 72In the middle is the patron saint of Finland, Saint Henry, on the right side of him is Bishop Konrad Bitz and on the left is Dean Magnus Stjernkors; from Missale Aboense (1488) (from History of Finland)In the middle is the patron saint of Finland, Saint Henry, on the right side of him is Bishop Konrad Bitz and on the left is Dean Magnus Stjernkors; from Missale Aboense (1488) (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 74S/S Urania in Hanko harbor in 1893, with 509 emigrants on board on their way to America (from History of Finland)S/S Urania in Hanko harbor in 1893, with 509 emigrants on board on their way to America (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 75The first government of independent Finland. P. E. Svinhufvud, the first Prime Minister of Finland, sitting at the head of the table. (from History of Finland)The first government of independent Finland. P. E. Svinhufvud, the first Prime Minister of Finland, sitting at the head of the table. (from History of Finland)
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๐ Image 76Janne Ahonen is considered one of the best and most successful currently active ski jumpers. (from Culture of Finland)Janne Ahonen is considered one of the best and most successful currently active ski jumpers. (from Culture of Finland)
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๐ Image 77The Swedish empire at its largest. Most of present-day Finland was part of Sweden proper, rike, shown in dark green. (from History of Finland)The Swedish empire at its largest. Most of present-day Finland was part of Sweden proper, rike, shown in dark green. (from History of Finland)
In the news
- 29 March 2026 โ Russo-Ukrainian war
- Several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are detected across southeastern Finland. One of the UAVs is identified as Ukrainian after it crashes near Kouvola. (Yle)
- 5 February 2026 โ 2026 Winter Olympics
- The match between Finland and Canada in the women's ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics is postponed to February 12 after a norovirus outbreak affected 13 members of the Finnish team. (NBC)
- 21 January 2026 โ Greenland crisis, Tariffs in the second Trump administration
- United States president Donald Trump announces he will cancel the planned tariffs on Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom after reaching an agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for a Greenland framework. He also stated at the World Economic Forum that he has ruled out sending forces amidst invasion fears. (BBC News) (Fortune)
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