Finland
Finland - country of a thousand lakes
Finland is located in the northern part of Europe and is the world's
most northern country. Covering an area of 33.81 million square
kilometers, it has a population of 52l million people, mostly
residents of the Finnish family. 87% of Finns are Lutheran. Finnish
and Swedish are official languages. The currency is the euro.
Helsinki (Helsinki) is the capital.
National Flag
The flag is white with a blue cross. Blue symbolizes lakes, rivers,
oceans, and blue sky; white symbolizes the snow-covered land. The
cross speaks to the history of Finland and other Scandinavian
countries, the close Nordic relationship.
History
Some 9000 years ago, as the glaciers retreated, Finnish ancestors
moved from the south and south-east to this point. In the 14th
century, Finland became a part of Sweden. After the Russian-Swedish
war in 1809, it became the Grand Duchy of Russia. On December 6,
1917, Finland became independent, and in 1910 the republic was
established. From 1939-1940 Finland fought the Fensu war. Finland
was forced to sign a peace treaty with the Soviet Union, ceding the
Fensu territory. From 1941-1944, Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet
Union through Finland (called, in Finland, "the continued war"). In
February 1944, Finland defeated the Soviet Union and other countries
and signed the "Treaty of Paris." In April 1948, it signed the
"Friends of the Good Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Treaty" with
the Soviet Union. In January 1982, it introduced the first direct
presidential elections.
Economic and Cultural Customs
There are more than 80,000 small and large lakes in Finland. There
are 46 lakes with an area of 100 square kilometers or more;
therefore, it is known as the "country of a thousand lakes." In
ancient geological times, the land was covered by glaciers, and when
the ice receded, it left many surface basins. Rivers flowed
together, forming large lakes.
One-third of the Finland's area is located within the Arctic
Circle. However, due to the North Atlantic Drift, the climate is
warmer than the same latitude in Canada, Russia and, other
countries. Generally winter lasts up to six or seven months, and
summer is very short. From May to July, the sun stays in the sky all
day long. In Finland, the longest day and shortest night of the year
is known as "Midsummer."
Wood processing, paper, metallurgy and machine building are the
pillar industries of Finland. As the dominant sector, Finland has a
powerful combination of the world's most important forest industry
equipment producers. Forest industry products total two-fifths of
all exports, and Finland is the world's second largest paper and
cardboard exporter. Finland's agriculture is primarily animal
husbandry, and dairy production accounts for 40% of agricultural
output. Due to climatic conditions, in many parts only grass can
grow, a technical situation that favors dairy production.
San salivary elderly
Finland is the home of Santa Claus. According to historical legend,
to meet Santa Claus, live in Finland. The Soviet Union and Finland,
in 1972, determined to designate "ear Mountain" as the national
boundary between the two countries, leading to the Arctic Ocean.
Gaining inspiration from the fairy king Maerkusi, he said in a radio
story, Santa Claus lives in this "ear Mountain" on precisely because
of the "ears" by which Santa Claus can be heard in the Arctic, the
voice of all the world's children. This is quite a romantic story.
From here on, "ear Mountain" has become the home of Santa Claus.
Finland Post has set up the North Pole Village's "Santa's Post
Office" to deal specifically with children around the world to send
Santa Claus letters at “ears Mountain.”
Sauna
Sauna is said to have more than 2000 years of history. Each
household, during construction, must take the sauna into account.
Hot stones were taken from the sauna. When water is poured on the
stones, the house suddenly fills with steam, at a room temperature
up to or above 50 ℃. Bathers sit in four walls of a wooden ladder
against the wall despite the hot steam and sweating, and, with leafy
birch branches tapping the body, bathing in that environment can be
relaxing. Meanwhile, the steam heats the blood circulation, and the
physical healing is also very good.
Maritime Museum of Finland
This is a museum modeled on the structure of ancient vessels. One
can visit the ancient master room, crew cabin, bedrooms, and other
compartments. In the large exhibition hall, visitors can enjoy many
of the ancient maritime activities and information related to the
model, such as navigational equipment, marine weapons, and crew
supplies. Parked outside the museum, at the pier, is the
British-made, 100 years old, ocean sailing "Pomer number." There is
information that this is the world's last ocean-going yacht.
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