Finland, one of the largest European countries, remains greatly uninhabited, with 10 percent of its total land area under water and 65 percent forested. A highly industrialized country, Finland relies on timber, agriculture, and related industries as primary components of the economy. Despite the relatively cool climate, the agricultural industry allows Finland to be self-sufficient in grains, dairy and root crops. Due to its geographic position, Finland is also involved in extensive trading with many European countries, including the UK and Germany. Upon entering the European Union in 1995, Finland began to see improvements in its fiscal state, rising from the recession it experienced in the early 1990s.
The Finnish coast contains an astonishing 30,000 plus islands, primarily located to the south and southwest of the state. Because of its northern location, it has very cold winters. This allows the country to sustain numerous cross-country and downhill ski areas, the main attraction for many visitors. In northern areas, such as Sodankyla, snow covers the ground from mid-October until mid-May. The southern cities, however, have a temperate climate. Travelers will find Helsinki, the capital and international gateway, to be a main center of culture, finance and economic opportunity, with more than 30 art galleries and museums located throughout the city.
Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, but only 6 percent of the total population speaks Swedish. English is the first foreign language taught, and is prevalent in tourist areas.
Transportation within Finland is very well developed, with 23 domestic airports serviced by carriers such as: Finnair, Finncom Airlines, SAS Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, SkyEurope, Air France and British Airways.
There is also an efficient rail, bus, road and taxi systems. Driving is on the right side of the road. Metro and tramway services are available in urban areas like Helsinki. Ferry services are available throughout the country.
Finland has an excellent communications infrastructure, and is highly involved in the telecommunications market.
Prices have been much more reasonable since the economic downturn in the early 1990s. Prior to the downturn, however, Finland was considered the world's most expensive country. There is a large selection of hotels in the cities but fewer choices in the smaller towns and villages.
Finland is relatively secure, though travelers must take common sense precautions to avoid becoming victims of petty theft. The theft of unattended belongings and pickpocketing commonly occurs on train routes and at train stations, particularly at night, in Helsinki and Turku.
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Intelligence Officers at iJET are currently monitoring local conditions in Finland to provide a level of information that surpasses any available from other public sources, including the U.S. State Department. Free from political constraints or concerns, our data provides unfiltered information vital for every traveler.
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