22/01/2025
15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Finland
1. Finland is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," but in reality, it has around 188,000 lakes, making it one of the most lake-dense countries in the world.
2. The Finnish language is part of the Uralic language family, making it very different from most other European languages, with no relation to English, French, or German.
3. Finland is the home of the sauna, and there are approximately 2 million saunas in a country of just over 5 million people, meaning there’s about one sauna for every 2.5 people.
4. Finland consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world according to the World Happiness Report, thanks to its high standard of living, excellent education system, and strong social safety nets.
5. Finland’s education system is internationally recognized for its excellence, with no standardized tests until the age of 16 and a focus on collaborative learning rather than competition.
6. Finland is the birthplace of the popular mobile game "Angry Birds," which was created by Finnish game developer Rovio Entertainment and became a global sensation.
7. The country is known for its long winters, but many people embrace the cold by participating in activities such as ice swimming and ice fishing, often followed by a sauna session to warm up.
8. Finland has more forested land than any other European country, with forests covering about 75% of its total land area, making it a haven for nature lovers and outdoor activities.
9. The Finnish tradition of "sisu" is a unique concept that represents determination, resilience, and the ability to persevere through tough challenges, even in the face of adversity.
10. Finland is home to Santa Claus, who resides in Lapland, a northern region of the country. The Santa Claus Village, located near Rovaniemi, is a popular tourist destination year-round.
11. Finland has a strong coffee culture, and it has one of the highest per capita coffee consumption rates in the world, with the average Finn drinking about 12 kg (around 26 pounds) of coffee per year.
12. Finland is the birthplace of the sport of pesäpallo, which is a form of baseball and is considered the national sport of the country.
13. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are often visible in Finland, especially in Lapland, making it one of the best places in the world to witness this stunning natural phenomenon.
14. Finland boasts a large number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the old wooden town of Porvoo and the beautiful Kvarken Archipelago, which is located in the Gulf of Bothnia.
15. Finland has a unique legal system that includes the concept of "everyman's right," which allows people to roam freely in nature, pick berries, mushrooms, and enjoy outdoor activities, regardless of land ownership.