planning a trip to
Finland
Here is what you need to know: Finland Travel Guide
Finland is one of the Nordic countries, often associated with Scandinavia. Located at the northern edge of Europe, it borders Russia and the Baltic Sea, which was what drew us there initially. During a road trip through the Baltic States, we made a memorable one-day trip to Helsinki.
But Finland offers so much more. Its northern region is a stunning wilderness, especially captivating in the winter months, when it becomes a magical and super-cool wonderland.
About
Finland, located in Europe, has a population of approximately 5.5 million people, spread across 338,455 km². Its capital and largest city is Helsinki.
The country shares borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east. To the west lies the Gulf of Bothnia, and to the south, across the Gulf of Finland, is Estonia.
Finland’s history dates back to around 9000 BC, when it was first inhabited after the Last Glacial Period. The Stone Age saw the emergence of various ceramic styles and cultures, while the Bronze Age and Iron Age were marked by extensive interactions with neighboring cultures.
The blue in Finland’s flag is said to represent the country’s thousands of lakes and the vast sky, while the white symbolizes the snow that blankets the land during winter. This iconic color combination has been used for centuries in various Finnish provincial, military, and town flags.
Finland is officially the world’s happiest country!
The Nordic countries frequently dominate the top spots in the UN’s annual World Happiness Report, and in 2020, Finland secured the first place.
The rankings consider various factors, including life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, economic strength, generosity, social support, perceived corruption, and the perspectives of survey respondents. Finland’s strong performance across these areas underscores its exceptional quality of life.
Finns are the world’s biggest coffee drinkers!
While many might assume that Europe’s coffee capital would be Italy or France, it’s actually Finland that takes the crown. Finns consume more coffee per capita than any other country, not just in Europe but in the entire world. Coffee is an integral part of Finnish culture, enjoyed throughout the day and often during traditional coffee breaks known as “kahvitauko”.
The Finnish language is completely different from the Scandinavian languages.
Despite Finland’s geographic and cultural ties to Scandinavia, Finnish belongs to the Uralic language family, making it distinct from the Germanic languages spoken by its Scandinavian neighbors. Interestingly, its closest linguistic relative is Hungarian, rather than Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish.
What to expect?
Language: The official language is Finnish, but English is widely spoken, making it easy for travelers to communicate. The Nordic countries are known for their excellent English proficiency.
Food: Finnish cuisine includes many traditional dishes, often centered around fish and reindeer, though you’ll find a variety of options to suit all tastes.
Transportation: Traveling around Finland is straightforward. Trains are the best option for most journeys, but buses are also reliable. For longer distances or trips between major cities, planes are a convenient choice.
Money: The currency in Finland is the Euro (€).
Plugs: Finland uses type F plugs, with a standard voltage of 220V and a frequency of 50Hz, the same as in most European countries.
Safety: Finland is not only the happiest country in the world but also one of the safest. Crime rates are relatively low, making it an excellent destination for worry-free travel.
Finland Travel Guide
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