Portal:Finland

The Finland Portal

Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, opposite Estonia. Its capital and largest city is Helsinki. Finland has a population of 5.7 million. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, the mother tongues of 83.5 percent and 5.0 percent of the population, respectively. Finland's climate varies from humid continental in the south to boreal in the north. Its land is predominantly covered by boreal forest, with over 180,000 recorded lakes.

Finland was first settled around 9000 BC after the last Ice Age. During the Stone Age, various cultures emerged, distinguished by different styles of ceramics. The Bronze Age and Iron Ages were marked by contacts with other cultures in Fennoscandia and the Baltic region. From the late 13th century, Finland became part of Sweden following the Northern Crusades. In 1809, as a result of the Finnish War, Finland was captured from Sweden and became an autonomous grand duchy within the Russian Empire. During this period, Finnish art flourished and an independence movement gradually developed. (Full article...)

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Soviet prisoners of war in Finland during World War II were captured in two Soviet-Finnish conflicts of that period: the Winter War and the Continuation War. The Finns took about 5,700 POWs during the Winter War, and due to the short length of the war they survived relatively well. However, during the Continuation War the Finns took 64,000 POWs, of whom almost 30 percent died. (Full article...)

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Helsinki Cathedral

Photograph credit: Joaquim Alves Gaspar

Helsinki Cathedral is an Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, located in the centre of Helsinki, Finland. Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel to form the focal point of Senate Square, it was built from 1830 to 1852 in the Neoclassical style. The church's plan forms a Greek cross (a square centre and four equilateral arms), symmetrical in each of the four cardinal directions. The cathedral is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki, with more than half a million visitors in 2018.

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Did you know (auto-generated)

... that the 1972 Finnish film The Sheep Eaters gathered more than a million viewers opposite the 1975 Ice Hockey World Championships match between Finland and the Soviet Union?
... that a book about a Finnish Santa figure sold particularly well in Germany and Japan?
... that the Grand Prix of Finland was held again in 2022 after Russia was banned from hosting international figure skating competitions?
... that Turku remained the largest city in Finland after three quarters of it burned down?
... that Finland won its first Olympic ice hockey medal under the leadership of Kai Hietarinta?
... that Sodankylä Old Church is one of the oldest preserved wooden churches in Finland?

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You are invited to participate in Finland WikiProject, a WikiProject dedicated to developing and improving articles about Finland.

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...that the prototypes for the WW II German U-boat fleet (Type II pictured) were designed by a Dutch company and built in Finland at the Crichton-Vulcan shipyard?
...that while repelling Soviet advances across the frozen Lake Suvanto, Finland managed to capture 12 anti-tank guns, 140 machine guns, 200 light machine guns and 1500 rifles in the Battle of Kelja in 1939?
...that Major Carl Mothander, the leader of Swedish volunteers in the Estonian War of Independence, later wrote books on Estonian politics that were banned in Finland?
...that the Korpela movement was a short-lived cult during the 1930s in Northern Sweden and Finland whose controversial sexual rituals eventually led to the arrest of 60 followers?
...that in 1745, Daniel Juslenius, a Finnish Fennoman, finished the first formal Finnish dictionary?

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Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, Chapters 1–13 is the seventh studio album by Finnish rock band HIM. Released on 8 February 2010, the album was recorded at The Lair Studios and NRG Studios in Los Angeles with producer Matt Squire. Following his time in rehab, Screamworks was the first HIM album vocalist Ville Valo worked on completely sober. This resulted in the band rehearsing the material more than ever before, as Valo had set out to prove himself and the band following his new-found sobriety. Musically Screamworks featured a more accessible and straightforward sound than many of its predecessor, reminiscent of the music of the 1980s. Much of the album's material was inspired by Valo's relationship with an undisclosed partner, whom he referred to as his muse for the record.

Screamworks received generally positive reviews from critics. Valo's vocals and songwriting received praise, although the "lighter" tone of the album received mixed opinions. Screamworks charted in eleven countries, including the top ten in Finland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, eventually being certified gold in the band's home country. Two singles were also released, with "Heartkiller" peaking at number five in Finland. The release of Screamworks was followed by a world tour, starting with several European dates and a tour of Australia as a part of the Soundwave Festival. This was then followed-up by several dates throughout the UK and the US in 2010. In December 2010, HIM released a companion album to Screamworks, titled SWRMXS, featuring remixes done by various different artists, such as Tiësto and Morgan Page. (Full article...)

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General images

The following are images from various Finland-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1Apocalyptica's Perttu Kivilaakso playing metal music live (from Culture of Finland)
Image 2In the sauna, by Pekka Halonen, 1925 (from Culture of Finland)
Image 3Homann's map of the Scandinavian Peninsula and Fennoscandia with their surrounding territories: northern Germany, northern Poland, the Baltic region, Livonia, Belarus, and parts of Northwest Russia. Johann Baptist Homann (1664–1724) was a German geographer and cartographer; map dated around 1730. (from History of Finland)
Image 4Janne Ahonen is considered one of the best and most successful currently active ski jumpers. (from Culture of Finland)
Image 5The part of Finland controlled by the Reds at its largest in February–March 1918 (from History of Finland)
Image 6The first government of independent Finland. P. E. Svinhufvud, the first Prime Minister of Finland, sitting at the head of the table. (from History of Finland)
Image 7The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), a significant figure in the history of classical music (from Culture of Finland)
Image 8Three Finnish Romani women in Helsinki, Finland, in 1930s (from Culture of Finland)
Image 9The decision of the Soviet of the People's Comissars' to recognise Finnish independence, signed by Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Grigory Petrovsky, Joseph Stalin, Isaac Steinberg, Vladimir Karelin, and Alexander Schlichter (from History of Finland)
Image 10Karjalanpiirakka, a traditional Finnish pastry (from Culture of Finland)
Image 11Stone Age dwelling named Kierikki 5000–3000 BC (from History of Finland)
Image 12Painting of Lalli killing Henry. Painting by C. A. Ekman. (from History of Finland)
Image 13Lapua Movement supporters beating the "red officer" Eino Nieminen [fi] in front of the Vaasa courthouse during the 4 June 1930 riot. (from History of Finland)
Image 14Memorial of the Mannerheim Cross Knights of Parikkala, Finland (from History of Finland)
Image 15The ruins of Vammala burned by the Reds, during the Civil war (from History of Finland)
Image 16Battle of Valkeala was part of the Russo-Swedish War (1788–1790). (from History of Finland)
Image 17In the middle is the patron saint of Finland, Saint Henry, on the right side of him is Bishop Konrad Bitz and on the left is Dean Magnus Stjernkors; from Missale Aboense (1488) (from History of Finland)
Image 18(1809 Diet of Porvoo) The sovereign's pledge, printed in Finnish (from History of Finland)
Image 19Grand Duchy of Finland, 75 kopek assignat (1824) (from History of Finland)
Image 20President Urho Kekkonen's funeral procession in 1986 (from History of Finland)
Image 21Map of Finnish areas ceded to the Soviet Union in 1944, after the Continuation War (from History of Finland)
Image 22Battle of Gangut (Hanko) was part of the Great Northern War during 1700–1721. (from History of Finland)
Image 23Women in sauna with Vihtas
Image 24Marshal of Finland Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim visit in Germany, 1942 (from History of Finland)
Image 25Kastelli Giant's Church in Pattijoki by Pöljä culture [fi] (from History of Finland)
Image 26A view of Pohjoisesplanadi in the center of Helsinki in 1891 (from History of Finland)
Image 27Erkki Karu, one of the pioneers of the Finnish cinema, with cinematographer Eino Kari in 1927 (from Culture of Finland)
Image 28Finnish Guards' Rifle Battalion, 1850s (from History of Finland)
Image 29The area of Finland in the years 1920–1940. The 1935 county and municipality division on the map. (from History of Finland)
Image 30In 2011 figure skater Kiira Korpi was ranked 4th in the world. (from Culture of Finland)
Image 31Captain Aarne Juutilainen at the front at Kollaa during the Winter War (from History of Finland)
Image 32People gathered in the Senate Square for a demonstration against the February Manifesto in March 1899. (from History of Finland)
Image 33Badge of the Finnish White/Civil Guard (from History of Finland)
Image 34The area controlled by Finland at its largest, in 1942 (from History of Finland)
Image 35S/S Urania in Hanko harbor in 1893, with 509 emigrants on board on their way to America (from History of Finland)
Image 36Pieces of the Antrea Net (8,300 BC), the oldest-known fishing net in the world. (from History of Finland)
Image 37Winter War Monument in Suomussalmi, Kainuu, Finland (from History of Finland)
Image 38Mikael Agricola hands over the Finnish Translation of the New Testament to King Gustav Wasa. (from History of Finland)
Image 39Identification document and tag of a Finnish war child (from History of Finland)
Image 40The Finno-Soviet Treaty (from History of Finland)
Image 41Alvar Aalto, Viipuri Library (1927–35) (from Culture of Finland)
Image 42Pekka Halonen's painting "against persecutors" from 1896 depicts the warfare of the ancient Finns. (from History of Finland)
Image 43A summer cottage (mökki) on a lake island (from Culture of Finland)
Image 44Portrait of Finnish poet Elias Lönnrot who wrote "the Kalevala" (1802 - 1884) (from History of Finland)
Image 45An old drawing of the city of Turku in the 18th century (from History of Finland)
Image 46Finnish folk dancers in a 1907 postcard sent from Mustamäki, Finland (from Culture of Finland)
Image 47Ancylus Lake covered major part of Finland (7,500–6,000 BC) (from History of Finland)
Image 48A smoke sauna (savusauna) in Enonkoski (from Culture of Finland)
Image 49Paavo Nurmi at the 1920 Summer Olympics (from Culture of Finland)
Image 50Women dressed in Finnish folk costumes (from Culture of Finland)
Image 51The public education system founded during earlier Swedish rule resulted the literacy of Grand Duchy of Finland being higher than its host country Russian Empire (map of 1897 census literacy data) (from History of Finland)
Image 52Jean Sibelius at work in his study (from History of Finland)
Image 53Signing the Helsinki Accords are the West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, East Germany's leader Erich Honecker, US president Gerald Ford and the Austrian chancellor Bruno Kreisky (from History of Finland)
Image 54Kreeta Haapasalo Playing the Kantele in a Peasant Cottage (1868), by Robert Wilhelm Ekman (from History of Finland)
Image 55Eero Järnefelt, Burning the Brushwood, 1893 (from History of Finland)
Image 56The Swedish empire at its largest. Most of present-day Finland was part of Sweden proper, rike, shown in dark green. (from History of Finland)
Image 57Finland Ostrobothnia regiment uniforms in 1705 (from History of Finland)
Image 58A reconstruction of a 12th-century Perniö costume (from History of Finland)
Image 59Prehistoric red ochre painted rock art of moose, human figures, and boats in Astuvansalmi, Finland, from ca. 3800–2200 BC (from Culture of Finland)
Image 60Imagery collage of Birger Jarl conquering Häme and the construction of Häme Castle (from History of Finland)
Image 61Students on Helsinki's Esplanadi wearing their caps on Vappu (from Culture of Finland)
Image 62Linus Torvalds, a famous Fennoswede software engineer, best known for initiating the development of the Linux kernel (from Culture of Finland)
Image 632007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen celebrating victory at the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix (from Culture of Finland)
Image 64Jussipaita (transl. Jussi sweater); a traditional sweater from the Finnish region of Southern Ostrobothnia (from Culture of Finland)
Image 65Turku Cathedral and its surroundings from 1814 (from History of Finland)
Image 66Sámi family in traditional costumes from Finland. (from Culture of Finland)
Image 67President K. J. Ståhlberg in his office in 1919 (from History of Finland)
Image 68A peasant girl and a woman in traditional dress from Ruokolahti, eastern Finland, as depicted by Severin Falkman in 1882 (from Culture of Finland)
Image 69A triptych by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, depicting the Aino Story of Kalevala on three panes (from Culture of Finland)
Image 70Northern Europe in 814 (from History of Finland)
Image 71Wehrmacht soldiers with a local Sámi reindeer herder, Lappland, Sodankylä, Finland 1942 (from History of Finland)
Image 72Midsummer bonfire (kokko) in Mäntsälä (from Culture of Finland)
Image 73A group of Finnish soldiers operating a Bofors gun during the Continuation War in 1943 (from History of Finland)
Image 74Stone Age stone axe engraved with human face found from Kiuruvesi. (from History of Finland)
Image 75Helsinki Accords Treaty (from History of Finland)
Image 76This 1825 map of the Grand Duchy of Finland is from a larger work, geographical atlas of the Russian Empire. (from History of Finland)
Image 77Kalmar Union in 1400s (from History of Finland)

In the news

8 June 2026 – Human trafficking in Finland: A Finnish court sentences former Polarica [fi] chief executive Jukka Kristo to two and a half years' imprisonment for human trafficking after finding that dozens of Thai berry pickers were subjected to forced labour and exploitative working conditions in Finland. (AFP via CNA)
29 April 2026 –: Finnish elevator manufacturer Kone announces the acquisition of its German competitor, TK Elevator, in a €29.4 billion (US$34.4 billion) deal, described by Bloomberg L.P. as one of Europe's largest private equity-related takeovers and the largest corporate acquisition in Finland. (AFP via Barron's) (Bloomberg)
29 March 2026 – Russo-Ukrainian war: Several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are detected across southeastern Finland. One of the UAVs is identified as Ukrainian after it crashes near Kouvola. (Yle)
5 February 2026 – 2026 Winter Olympics: The match between Finland and Canada in the women's ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics is postponed to February 12 after a norovirus outbreak affected 13 members of the Finnish team. (NBC)
21 January 2026 – Greenland crisis, Tariffs in the second Trump administration: United States president Donald Trump announces he will cancel the planned tariffs on Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom after reaching an agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for a Greenland framework. He also stated at the World Economic Forum that he has ruled out sending forces amidst invasion fears. (BBC News) (Fortune)

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View from the water tower in Hanko, Finland

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Panoramic photo shot from the water tower in Hanko, Finland

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