31 Things Finland is Known and Famous For

Are you curious about what Finland is famous for? Whether you’re planning to visit soon or you’re in need of some fun Finnish trivia, we’ve compiled a list of 31 things that Finland is known for.

Finland is famous for being the Happiest Country in the World, as well as having the world’s best education system and cleanest air. Finland is known for its saunas, reindeer, Nokia, and the Santa Claus village. This Nordic utopia is sometimes called the Country of a Thousand Lakes, and it’s got 187,888 of them.

finland flag

Come with us as we explore what Finland is known for!

1. Northern Lights

finland northern lights

Finland is famous for its spectacular views of the Northern Lights.

Of course, you can see them in many countries, but the Aurora Borealis favors Finland in that you get an exceptional amount of privacy while you do it. Lapland is the favorite spot, and the best latitude for seeing them is the Kilpisjärvi region. 

According to Finnish folklore, the northern lights are caused by a mystical arctic fox running north. He causes the skies to ignite by touching the mountains with his fur.

2. Land of the Midnight Sun

The lakes in Finland are a great place to spend the summer holidays with the whole family

While the Northern Lights grace Finland in winter, summertime welcomes another fascinating natural phenomenon known as the midnight sun.

A quarter of Finland’s territory lies within the Arctic Circle, which means that along with portions of Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Canada, Alaska, and Russia, it experiences weeks and weeks of long days that don’t quite turn into night.

Summer in northern Finland means that the sun — or more accurately, daylight — doesn’t go away for over two months. Even in southern Finland, the night sky remains bright. It can be quite disorienting if you’re not from the Arctic but it also means you can do daytime activities even at night!

Finns make the most out of this time with nocturnal swimming and sauna, private retreats by the lake, hiking, fishing, playing golf in the wee hours, and partaking in festivals! Just as with the Northern Lights, Lapland is also a favorite destination as the Midnight Sun Film Festival happens here.

3. Saunas

sauna bucket
Photo Credit: Thomas Wanhoff

If you’re not a Finn, you might think of saunas as a luxury. In Finland however, they are a necessity.

Primitive Finns invented them around 30,000 years ago, and there are more saunas than cars in Finland. There’s even a sauna at the Burger King in Helsinki!

Finland is famous for its sauna rituals and traditions. Don’t be alarmed if your Finnish friend starts gently beating you with a birch twig, it’s their way of improving your circulation. Roll in the snow, throw yourself into an ice-cold lake – I promise you, it’s much nicer than it sounds!

Afterwards, it’s customary to have an after-sauna drink, usually beer or similar.

I was also extremely lucky growing up to have a Finnish-Swedish guardian of my own to also offer me home-cooking after I’d finished baking myself at her lakeside sauna. You’ll never sleep better than after a sauna and refreshment.

Kiitos, (thank you) Eva!

4. Ice hockey

ice hockey

Finland is known for its quirky sports, but one that’s caught on around the rest of the world too is ice hockey.

It’s true that many countries have rivalries with their neighbors, but nothing gets Finns and Swedes riled up like an ice hockey match, especially against each other.

Competition is fierce for gold and in 2019, Finland won the Ice Hockey World Championship for the third time. The national team, nicknamed Leijonat (the lions), is currently ranked third in the world when it comes to ice hockey prowess.

5. Connection with nature

reflection of sky in a beautiful lake in Finland

Finland is known for having gorgeous lakes (more on these later) and forests, and the Finns feel a deep personal connection to the natural world. The Finnish word Metsäsuhde means ‘a part of an individual’s identity and personal relationship with that which evolves through different stages of life. 

Finland opens up its wilderness to tourists and locals by law. The rights of civil access allow anybody to walk, cycle, or ski almost anywhere in the country. This also means you can forage for berries or mushrooms, and even sleep in a tent pretty much wherever you like. 

This comes with a caveat, however, so don’t fish or hunt and leave it just the way you found it. Littering and noise pollution are not welcome in Finland so respect others and the land. It’s a great way to explore Finland on a budget, provided you go at the right time of year!

6. Country of a Thousand Lakes

boy paddling in a canoe through Lake Saimaa

Finland is known for its moniker, “the country of a thousand lakes.” It is a misnomer, however, because Finland has 187,888 lakes!

To put that number into perspective, there’s one lake for every 29 residents. From the northern towns in Lapland to the southern metropolitan zones around Helsinki, you can find lakes of varying sizes. Locals and tourists alike enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, canoeing, sailing, and swimming in these lakes.

The most popular ones are Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland, and the fourth largest natural freshwater lake in Europe. There’s also Lake Päijänne, the second-largest lake in Finland, that supplies drinking water to the Greater Helsinki area.

7. Mämmi

mammi memma
Photo Credit: Stefano Longhi

Mämmi, or memma to Finland-Swedes, might look like a pile of dirt to the untrained eye but to a Finn, it’s an Easter delicacy.

I have it on good authority that it tastes like childhood nostalgia, and everyone I know with Finnish connections begs me to give it a go! 

Traditionally eaten on Good Friday, Mämmi is made of rye flour, malt, and syrup. It has the same consistency as porridge and used to be consumed with milk or cream.

These days, some Finns eat it with custard or vanilla ice cream to sweeten it up a touch.

8. Nokia

nokia boot
My dad’s pair of Nokia boots. Still perfect!

Finland is famous for pioneering technological advancement. For many of us, our first cell phones were made by Finland’s master company, Nokia.

My own Nokia phone survived falling into the ocean, being dropped in snow, and even down a stairwell at my high school. But did you know that Nokia actually started as a paper production company? 

In the 1960s, Nokia gained fame for its iconic rubber boots. To this day, my dad’s pair is still my footwear of choice when walking through the forest. These boots have proved just as indestructible as my trusty Nokia phone.

Nokia is also credited with the first GSM call in 1991, and the first satellite call which was made in 1994. Those Finns know how to make ever-lasting objects!

9. Angry Birds

inside Angry Birds World in Doha Festival City, Qatar
Inside Angry Birds World in Doha Festival City, Qatar | Editorial credit: SLSK Photography / Shutterstock.com

Even if you’re not into video games, you’ve likely heard (and even played a round or two) of Angry Birds. But did you know that this game hails from Finland?

Angry Birds is created by Rovio Entertainment, a Finland-based video game developer. The game focuses on a flock of colorful angry birds who try to save their eggs from green-colored pigs. Players shoot the angry birds into the pigs’ fortresses.

The game was released in 2009 and has since given birth to multiple iterations, books, comics, movies, TV series, toys, and even a line of soft drinks! There are also several Angry Birds-themed amusement parks and rides in Finland and across the world.

10. Directness

girl cover face

There’s a saying in Finland you should know about: “Vain rumat ne vaatteilla koreilee”.

It means “only ugly people need to dress up” and that’s about the level of honesty you can expect from a Finn. 

Finns are often incorrectly labeled as ‘shy’ by tourists, even rude — but to a Finn, you might be embarrassed to find out that you are the rude one. On home turf, being silent is being polite. Not disturbing others is how you show courtesy to your fellows. 

Ask a Finn a question and they’ll tell you no lies, so only ask if you really want to know the answer.

Lastly, only engage a Finn in small talk if you wish them a severe case of Myötähäpeä – second-hand cringe. It’s just not how they operate up there!

11. Drinking

vodka finlandia

Finland is also known for its love of vodka, and the Finns’ attitude to alcohol can be summed up in one of their own idioms: “a drop won’t kill you and you can’t drown in a bucket”.

It’s hard to believe today, but Finland actually had alcohol prohibition in place from 1919 to 1932. 

Celebrations like Christmas and Midsummer in Finland almost always include heavy consumption of vodka or snaps. However, binge drinking isn’t a public affair in Finland, and drinking is mostly done in private or at large gatherings.

Fittingly, the Finns also have a word for drinking alone at home in your underwear with no intention of going out: Kalsarikännit. Well, no one’s perfect!

12. Santa Claus Village

santa claus village dog sled

Speaking of Christmas, Finland is where you’ll find Santa’s hometown!

One of the largest tourist attractions in Finland couldn’t be cozier or more festive. Forget what you’ve been told about the North Pole because Santa’s official hometown is 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) north of Rovaniemi, Lapland. 

You can visit him any day of the year at Santa Claus Village, and while you’re there take husky and reindeer sleigh rides!

Santa’s post office in Rovaniemi receives half a million letters every year – and if you provide your own address he’ll even reply to you.

13. The cleanest air in the world

purple lake

Finland has the cleanest air in the world and the best place to breathe is Lapland.

Studies confirmed by the World Health Organization confirmed that Finland’s impeccable air quality is down to having fewer cars and no large polluting industries nearby.

Around 227,690 square kilometers (22,769,000 hectares) of Finland is woodland, and the trees work overtime to clean the air for its inhabitants.

14. Finnish pancakes

finnish pancake
Photo Credit: Aubree Flink

If you really love something, you give it many nicknames. At least, that’s what the Finns do. Finnish pancakes can be called Lettu, Lätty, Plätty, Ohukainen, or Räiskäle. 

Typically served with raspberry or strawberry jam and whipped cream, a Finnish pancake is thinner and slightly darker than its cousins, the French crêpe or American pancakes. 

Pancakes are traditionally eaten on Thursday in Finland, but these days many Finns have them any day of the week.

Also read: Finnish Food: 24 Most Iconic Dishes to Eat in Finland

15. National Sleepy Head Day

dive into water

Finland is known for its amusing traditions, and this might just be the best yet.

On 27 July, Finns let themselves sleep in. Don’t be the last to rise, however, because the unfortunate Sleepy Head is thrown into the nearest lake by the rest of the family!

In the city of Naantali, they go one step further. A Finnish celebrity is chosen to be thrown into the sea at 7 am, and their identity is only revealed at the last minute. Former President of Finland, Tarja Halonen, saw her husband launched into the chilly Baltic in the name of tradition.

Dating from the Middle Ages, Sleepy Head Day comes from the Finnish superstition that the last to rise on this day would be lazy for the rest of the year.

I’d say an alarm clock is preferable, but it’s a great way to get back at your relatives.

16. The world’s biggest coffee drinkers

coffee beans heart

Somehow, Finland has kept its coffee-craziness under the radar. The average Finn consumes 12 kilos (26.4 lbs) of coffee a year (and you thought your coffee addiction was bad!).

Everything in Finland begins and ends with coffee – and actually, everything in between too.

Finland is the only country in the world to contain two 15-minute coffee breaks in some collective labor agreements. Imagine that, telling your boss they’re legally obliged to let you drink your cup of Joe in peace!

17. The ‘weird’ language

girl read book

There’s nothing actually “weird” about it if you’re Finnish, but to outsiders, it’s a tricky one to learn. Only very weak ties link it to other languages like Estonian, but Finnish is absolutely packed with linguistic gems.

Maybe you found your perfect sofa and don’t know how to describe the exceptional springiness you get from the cushion.

Hyppytyynytyydytys. It literally means “bouncy cushion satisfaction”. 

The Finns love compound nouns even more than the Germans. In fact, you can make up any you like in Finnish and still make sense. The longest official word in Finnish is “epäjärjestelmällistyttämättömyydelläänsäkäänköhän”.

I challenge you to learn what it means and pronounce it!

18. The world’s happiest country

smile friends

Finland is famous for being the Happiest Country in The World, and has been for six years running! Many are surprised when they hear that the chilly North seems to be where all the happy people live, but what makes them so cheery?

Well, in Finland it has a lot to do with community spirit.

It might seem like an oxymoron, that the shy, less extroverted Finns are so willing to help their neighbors, but in Finland, it’s about what you do more than what you say.

Institutions like Nappi Naapuri have been set up to establish local connections to aid those in need of neighborly help. In times of crisis, like the 2020 global pandemic, Finns were more willing to share their economy and workload to minimize the stress of their fellows.

It also helps of course that Finland has the cleanest air, is the safest country in the world, and even has the world’s best education system (more on these things below!).

19. World-class education

school library

Finland, once again, topped the World Best Education Systems list in 2019.

Finland is famous for providing excellent education to children and young people – but what do they do that makes them so successful? Well, there are no standardized tests, there’s minimal homework, and teachers teach happiness.

Yes, happiness

All play and no work goes against what many believe is the golden ticket to top grades, but the Finns prove the opposite.

Most students leave school with at least two languages, Finnish or Swedish and English, and many elect another European language on top of that. Spending just 20 hours in school a week, Finnish children have plenty of time to play sports, socialize and learn independent skills. 

It’s also illegal in Finland for schools to charge tuition, so children rub shoulders regardless of their parents’ income.

Two words can sum up Finland’s education approach: community and equality.

20. Saimaa Ringed Seal

saimaa ringed seal
Photo Credit: Timo Seppäläinen

Finland is also home to one of the only freshwater seals in the world. This particular species, the Saimaa Ringed Seal, can only be found in lake Saimaa.

Unfortunately, this species is also one of the world’s most endangered and rare. 

They’ve lived in lake Saimaa for 8,000 years and became isolated from other species of seals after the Ice Age.

The Saimaa Ringed Seal is one of the most intelligent and playful species of seals. You can spot them playing with floating objects in the lake or see pups pestering their moms.

21. Getting naked

girl towel swim lake

It’s hard for non-Nordics to understand, but nudity and sexuality are very separate in this part of the world.

Finland is famous for its easygoing approach to being naked in the company of others, especially in a sauna. This is because Finns in particular view nudity as the most honest and hygienic way to be.

I’ve heard it said by my Finnish-Swedish relatives that you should “behave in the sauna as you would at church”. It’s less about admiring the bodies of others than taking care of your own.

It might make you blush for a few minutes, but it sure is a way to bond with people.

I have anecdotal proof that the short-term embarrassment is much worse than being berated for being the only one to keep a swimsuit on!

22. Finnish folklore

santa elves

If you do happen to misbehave in a sauna, it’s not just angry locals you should beware of. Elves frequently dominate Finnish folklore, and the Finns have an elf or tonttu to guard over all areas of life.

The saunatonttu lives in the sauna and his job is to punish anyone who acts up in there. You can placate him by acting accordingly and by giving him an offering of rice porridge at Christmas — a tradition that many Finnish families still practice with their children.

Other elves include the home elf, kotitonttu, and the forest elf, metsätonttu. Finland is also famous for having an elf who guards the castle in Turku, called linnatonttu.

23. Lappish / Sámi People

lappish tent

Finland is also known for being home to Europe’s only indigenous group of people, the Sámis. Sometimes called Lappish people, the Sámis also live in the northernmost parts of Norway, Russia, and Sweden. 

10,500 Sámis live in Finland today, and their national day is celebrated on 6 February every year. Sámis are famous for their expert reindeer herding, handcrafted goods, and connection to the land.

The Finnish Sámi parliament is located in Inari, and is one step on a long journey to undoing the persecution the Sámis have experienced. 

You can learn more about the history of Sámi people at Siida Museum, Lapland.

24. Reindeer

reindeer

Reindeer are an integral part of the Sámi peoples’ lives, and Finnish Lapland is home to 200,000 reindeer. To put that into perspective, there are 20,000 fewer people living in Lapland than reindeer! 

Reindeer herds are managed by Sámi people for food and their fur, and of course, you can take sleigh rides with the semi-domesticated ones found on some farms. 

They might look cuddly but don’t get too close to these creatures unless you’re granted permission by a herder or in an enclosure. They can be aggressive, especially around mating season, and startling reindeer can cost herders their livelihood.

25. Wife-carrying competition

man carry woman

Finland is also famous for its bizarre sports, and this one really is an antidote to marriage counseling. Every year in Sonkajärvi, Finland, husbands compete for their wife’s weight in beer.

Seriously.

The wife-carrying world championship is exactly what it sounds like. Husbands carry their wives in one of three accepted positions around an obstacle course hoping to win first prize – his wife’s weight in beer. 

This peculiar Finnish tradition goes back to the 1880s, and all over Finland you’ll find men training – yes, training – for this hilarious sport.

Sadly, the Finns haven’t won their own competition since 2017, with last year’s winners being a couple from Lithuania. Better luck next year, Finland.

26. The Moomins

moomin mug
Photo Credit: Johan Wistbacka

You may have come across these adorable, snuggly creatures on TV or read the books as a kid. For those who don’t know, the Moomins live in Moominvalley, and are the protagonists of Finland-Swede Tove Jansson’s children’s novels. 

In recent years, a so-called “Moomin-Boom” saw worldwide interest in these Finnish favorites. Japan in particular took a liking to them, using Moomins as the official mascots at a chain of shopping malls.

27. Finland-Swedes

aland house

Finland also has a population of Finland-Swedes. The term Finland-Swedes describes a group of people who are officially Finnish but speak Swedish due to their heritage.

The Finnish authorities allow parents to make the choice of declaring their child either Swedish or Finnish speaking at birth, although in reality, many children are bilingual. 

Some 270,000 people in Finland have Swedish as their mother tongue, and 25,000 of those people live on the islands of Åland, an archipelago between Sweden and Finland.

Finland-Swedes who don’t live on or around Åland tend to live in the Turku region, the southwestern side of Finland. Turku is actually the world’s biggest archipelago, containing roughly 20,000 islands.

28. Women’s rights

women rights

Finland is also famous for being one of the forerunners of gender equality.

Finland made history when, in 1906, it was the first European country to give women the right to vote. More recently, however, Finland made headlines for having the youngest prime minister, Sanna Marin. Only 34, she leads a coalition government that is led entirely by women.

As if that wasn’t enough, Sanna isn’t just the youngest prime minister, she’s also the youngest head of government in the world. Finns also offer equal maternity and paternity leave rights to parents who make their own decisions about raising their children.

29. Safest country in the world

black wallet

Finland held the title of Safest Country in the World in 2017 and has remained among the safest in the world since then, and there’s data to back it up.

Along with its low crime rates, Finns are also some of the most honest people. 11 out of 12 wallets were returned to their owners in Finland according to a recent poll, so if you have a habit of dropping stuff Finland is the place to be! 

Of course, in the country with the title of Most Independent Judicial System, it follows that Finland also has the highest trust in its police force.

30. Licorice lovers

salmiakki
Photo Credit: Mahmut

This might be the first piece of bad news, depending on how you see things. Finland is famous for its borderline obsession with salt licorice, so if you have a sweet tooth, watch out!

Chocolate in Finland frequently comes with a licorice filling, and the Finns even have licorice-flavored ice cream.

If you didn’t grow up eating it as I did, you might want to steer clear of this particular national delicacy. You’ll have a hard time finding candy in Finland that doesn’t include licorice, but if you like it then all the more for you!

31. Marimekko

Inside a Marimekko store in Copenhagen
Editorial credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

We have Finland (specifically Marimekko’s Maija Isola) to thank for this now-ubiquitous unikko (Finnish for poppy) pattern that we see in clothes, bags, accessories, home decor, bedding, tablecloths, and more!

Based in Helsinki, Marimekko is a Finnish textile and clothing design house that’s globally known for its brightly-colored printed fabrics. The most iconic one is the Unikko, which was borne out of Maija Isola’s rebellion.

Armi Ratia, Marimekko’s founder, banned flower patterns at Marimekko in 1964, believing that florals were cliché and that designers couldn’t depict flowers better than nature. Isola, then one of the head designers, rebelled and painted a whole collection of pop-art-inspired floral fabrics.

Ratia couldn’t say no and ended up choosing eight designs from Isola’s collection, including the Unikko, which continues to be printed to this day.

Conclusion

hensinki boat

Next time you make the trip to Finland, you’ll be able to impress friends and locals with your knowledge about the Country of a Thousand Lakes. If there’s anything to add about what Finland is famous for, share it in the comment box!

Have fun exploring and check out other Nordic countries in our series: Iceland, Norway, Denmark & Finland. And for more Finnish trivia, read this next article on fun facts about Finland.

What is Finland famous for? – Pin it!

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45 thoughts on “31 Things Finland is Known and Famous For”

  1. People have often said I am Scandanavian. I often find myself humming Finlandia. I am american. I wish when I was younger, I would have visited Finland. I feel so drawn there.

    Reply
  2. I too have Scandinavian blood lines as both sets of my Grandparents are from Finland. The culture has always been fascinating to me I wanted to learn more about it. This article was very interesting.

    Reply
  3. Terve! Currently learning Finnish language , Been twice now and travelled to many hot countries however Finland has a place in my heart! Suomi on kaunis maa!

    Reply
    • I’m so glad you enjoyed the article, Emma! Finland has a very special place in my heart too. How can you not love a culture where pancakes aren’t just for breakfast? Suomi sydämessäni!

      Reply
  4. I loved it and laughed my head off while recognising our peculiarities as cultural inheritance in the rapid development from an agrarian country to a modern one.

    Reply
  5. Have you ever lived in Finland? Visited much?
    I’ve lived here more than 2 decades.
    Never saw a reindeer.
    Don’t sauna.
    Nobody goes to Santa’s village other than German tourists.
    There is corruption in the police force.
    Neighbors ignore each other.
    People don’t seem that happy. They might just pretend to be happy if you ask them.
    The educational system is overrated.
    People struggle, drink to forget their problems.
    Salaries are low. Taxes are high. Booze is expensive.
    Public health service costs some money, and long waits to get non-urgent care (at least 6 months).
    The winters are dark and gloomy.
    The summers can be nice but very short.
    Finns have been practicing social distancing for a very long time.

    What’s there to like?
    The water
    The air
    Forests walks are pleasant but boring. There are no mountains or deserts.
    Lapland is horrible in the summer. If you don’t know why, you haven’t been there.

    Reply
    • Well John, me myself am a finnish person born and raised here. I could list a dozen reasons from memory of what there is to like about finland. I don’t have any complains. I feel like you’re exaggerating your experiences a bit. But I mean you can leave if you don’t like it here, I get that Finland isn’t for everyone.

      Reply
    • Do you steal candy from children also. Burst my bubble with your reply. Everyone appreciates things differently. You know how it is since you lived there. Their are many of us that would dream of visiting it. I would love to experience this for myself. I do appreciate your honesty. One thing about Finns there is no shades of grey.

      Reply
    • So where else did you live, so can compare? Please let us know except if you where born in Finland and you are 20-30 years old ,so no way to compare.
      I am curious…

      Reply
    • Dear John,

      Have you ever lived in Finland? Visited much?
      I’ve lived here more than 2 decades.
      * I live in Finland. 🇫🇮

      Never saw a reindeer.
      *Me neither. Deer, yes. 🙈

      Don’t sauna.
      *Sauna is wonderful. 🏠

      Nobody goes to Santa’s village other than German tourists.
      *Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Singaporean tourists………………..🎅.😍

      There is corruption in the police force.
      *Not in Finland.✔

      Neighbors ignore each other.
      *Finns are so willing to help their neighbors, but in Finland, it’s about what you do more than what you say.🏠🏡

      People don’t seem that happy. They might just pretend to be happy if you ask them.
      *Finland is the happiest nation in the world according to The World Happiness Report.😁

      The educational system is overrated.
      *Finland’s schools are publicly funded. The people in the government agencies running them, from national officials to local authorities, are educators rather than business people or politicians.📒📔📕

      People struggle, drink to forget their problems.
      *This is done elsewhere as well.🥂

      Salaries are low. Taxes are high. Booze is expensive.
      *True – no problem.💰

      Public health service costs some money, and long waits to get non-urgent care (at least 6 months).
      *The Finnish healthcare system is based on public healthcare services to which everyone residing in the country is entitled.🩺💉

      The winters are dark and gloomy.
      *Finnish winter can be dark and cold, but it is also incredibly atmospheric, magical and beautiful !❄🌨☃

      The summers can be nice but very short.
      *After a cold winter, Finns celebrate their summer passionately.🌞🏊‍♀⛵👙

      Finns have been practicing social distancing for a very long time.
      *The Finns are a bit shy.🤔

      What’s there to like?
      The water
      *Finland- the land of the thousand lakes💦
      The air
      *According to the information published by the WHO, air quality in Finland is the third best in the world. One of the cleanest corners of the world is located in the Finnish Lapland.🌬

      Forests walks are pleasant but boring. There are no mountains or deserts.
      Lapland is horrible in the summer. If you don’t know why, you haven’t been there.
      *Even a short walk in nature increases positive feelings and reduces negativity, such as irritability, depression and anxiety. You feel vital and energetic.🌲🌳🌱🌿

      Pirjo

      Reply
  6. Interesting article.

    I think a key point that is missing – relating to social cohesion – is that Finland is one of the world’s leading welfare states.

    Reply
    • Was leading welfare states, not For atleast a decade now. More of an guardianship country and a mega byroslavia. Not saying things are Bad and i love My country from My heart, and definetly Agree most pointouts from The article. What i am saying is that The 1980-2002 golden age is lightyears from this age of hipocresy and ignorance of The real issues, (Our government debht just growing 24/7 at an alarmig Rate, From allrdy alarming and biggest debth in Our history, while The income is basically 0.) That Said, still very very very beautiful and maby Even bit “magical” country and landscape. U couldnt Ask better education system than what we have, healthcare have had a little dip lately but IS still one of The best in The world 🤔 Strongly recommend visiting here. U know “Land of a thousend Lake” saying? Its Tens of thousends of lakes and isles and Amazing summer nights 😍

      Reply
  7. A great article Anna-Karin, thank you I enjoyed reading it. As a motorsports enthusiast, I would add just one more point. There are more formula 1 world drivers per head than any other country and there is also a moniker in motorsports “If you want to win, hire a finn”.

    Reply
    • I’m so glad you enjoyed reading the article, Aaron! You’re also quite right, how could I forget that?! Very topical, what with Räikkönen’s departure from the sport last weekend. I haven’t heard that moniker before but I will be sure to remember it!

      Reply
  8. I thoroughly enjoyed this article. My maiden name is Reinders…. and I suppose that it derive from the Reindeers from Finland. I am South African born and my forefathers are from Northern Europe. I really hope to visit Finland one day.

    Reply
    • Thank you so much, Hettie! I might be wrong but I think Reinders possibly hails from Dutch originally, although as you know these names end up traveling all over Europe. Finland will welcome you with warm arms but probably cold weather when you can make the trip!

      Reply
  9. My overall impression is that

    Reply
  10. Hi john, really got fascinated after reading Annas article and I really enjoyed it ,even read all the comments but FYI I should say that once you get out of your country everything seems to be good and fresh for you from the outside, once you get into the system you will feel all is the same and may be want to go back also , am from India ,I do a lot of travelling and really want to settle somewhere else but just like what I said earlier once you start to live out of your country you will start facing other problems, there is no place without problems, only thing is you have to face them rather than complaining, you were telling what is there to like right ! water, air SERIOUSLY?? Dude I should say that there are places where people don’t even get water for drinking and for their basic necessities, you should be happy you are not facing that so better cherish with what you have.
    Thanks Anna for this wonderful article, I am getting a chance to visit kotka in Finland hope gets something to cherish in my memory.

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  11. I’ve never been to Finland but I grew up in Northeastern Ontario Canada and had many friends whose parents had immigrated to Canada from Finland.They all seemed to be great athletes, intelligent and happy people who enjoyed the forests and outdoors as I did. Thank you for the wonderful article about Finland!

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    • Thank you, Mike, for reading – I’m so glad you enjoyed the article! Ontario is on my list of places I’d love to visit. I’d also say your experiences of Finnish people matches perfectly with mine; the outdoors is wonderful for connecting people.

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    • Hi Mike – are you speaking of Sudbury? I grew up in the country (Beaver Lake) in an area surrounded by Finlanders! Some of the best people I’ve ever known! I frequently traded anything in my lunch for some homemade finnbun 😀

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  12. Me and my wife aged around 80/75, both US citizens, intend visiting India by Finn Air in Nov and Dec 22. We intend to stay in Helsinki for about 7/10 days. We shall appreciate your help. Thanks

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  13. Finland has a very special place in my heart. Finland is full of mysteries and beauty. I have been there in 2013, I’m so in love with Finland and I wish I would go back there

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  14. I am 75 and visited Finland in 2004 with my mother, staying with relatives we had never met. Found out later. that am actually 37 % Finnish thru DNA sample. Wonderful country….so clean, no police in sight, friendly people! I experienced many of the things you spoke of…would go back.

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