Reasons to love Finland

There are many reasons to fall in love with Finland and the Finns (who are in fact the happiest people in the world). As it would be impossible to list them all we decided to just make a random list of some interesting and fun facts – hope you enjoy it!

THE BEST PLACE TO SPOT – THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Some of world’s best Northern Lights can be spotted in Finnish Lapland.
The Aurora Borealis – as they are also called – can appear more than 200 nights a year. That’s pretty much every winter night.

MORE FOREST AND WATER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN EUROPE
You may have heard that Finland is the “Land of a Thousand Lakes”. Well, it is also a land of thousands of forests. Over 70 % of Finland is taken over by beautiful forest – more than any other European country and an area larger than UK or Italy!

The 188 000 lakes of Finland, on the other hand, are so vast that Finland has most water in relation to land mass of all the countries in the world. This water is also some of the cleanest.

FREEDOM TO ROAM THE LAND: EVERYMAN’S RIGHT
A Finnish term “Everyman’s right” (Jokamiehen Oikeus) means you can walk freely in the nature, anywhere you want. Forests offer us mushrooms, berries and wonderful fresh air as we take in the smells, sounds and tastes of one of Europe’s last wilderness regions.

THE MOST CREATIVE FOOD SCENE
Did you know Restaurant Day – a day when anyone can set up a restaurant of their choice, anywhere they want – is a Finnish invention? And would you have imagined that Helsinki has one of the most vibrant food scenes in Europe?

THE ONE AND ONLY SANTA CLAUS
Finland is the only place in the world to meet the real Santa Claus. Although originally from Korvatunturi, the man in red now resides in Rovaniemi, Lapland, where he greets visitors all year round.

THE BEST PLACE FOR SKIING
In Finland the skiing season can last way over 6 months – from late October all the way until May. During the darkest winter days the ski slopes are lit and in the spring the sun shines until late at night.

If you fancy going cross-country, there are hundreds and hundreds of kilometres worth of ski tracks in Finnish Lapland. For example, Ylläs’ 330km of tracks are more than any one place has to offer in Europe.

THE CLEANEST AIR
Did you know that Helsinki has some of the cleanest tap water of all big cities in the world and that Kilpisjärvi in Lapland has the cleanest air in Europe?

3+ MILLION SAUNAS – MOST PER CAPITA
This is a category where Finland truly sets itself apart from the rest of the world. Finns are the unquestioned champions of sauna – we have over 3 million of them, which is more than one sauna for every other citizen. Add the hundreds of thousands of small lakeside cottages and cabins to this – peace and quiet guaranteed.

THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD
Finland is one of the few countries in the world where lost wallets and mobile phones get returned to their rightful owner*. People feel safe walking alone in city parks or use public transport regardless of the hour.

*11 out of 12 wallets deliberately left abandoned around Helsinki were returned according to a Reader’s Digest global test on honesty.

MOST COFFEE LOVERS
Perhaps it has something to do with the coldness of winters – the Finns just LOVE their coffee. Finnish people consume more coffee per person than does any other nation in the world. This obviously means that there are quite many amazing coffee shops and cafes around the country!

THE ONE AND ONLY MIDNIGHT SUN FILM FESTIVAL
When the sun stays up for over two consecutive months in the northernmost parts of the country it is time to be festive. Perhaps the most iconic of summer events is the Midnight Sun Film Festival in Sodankylä, Lapland. 2015 marked the event’s 30th anniversary, inviting tens of thousands of international movie buffs to watch films under the never-setting sun.

THE ANGRIEST BIRDS
You didn’t know the Angry Birds were a Finnish invention, did you now? Clash of Clans also comes from Finland, as do most of the greatest mobile phone games ever invented. In fact, per capita, Finland has produced more successful games than any other country in the world.

THE HOME OF THE MOOMINS
As if Santa Claus wasn’t enough, Finland is also home to the mysterious little creatures called the Moomins. Created by the talented Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson, the Moomins’ presence can be felt and seen – both metaphorically in the surrounding nature and for “real” in places such as the Naantali Moomin World or the Tampere Moomin Museum.

THE BOLDEST DESIGN
Finland is a true design nation. Some of the world’s most imitated and admired designers and architects come from Finland. From Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair as James Bond’s favorite seat to Marimekko Poppies worn by Jackie O, Finland has been setting trends for decades.

THE GREATEST HEAVY METAL BANDS
Apocalyptica, HIM, Nightwish, Amorphis…these are just some of the names that will get those metal-loving hearts racing all around the world. Finland’s heavy metal bands are in a league of their own – there is nothing to rival them. See for yourself in the great Tuska open air metal festival in June!

THE CRAZIEST EVENTS
Ever heard of the Wife Carrying, Air Guitar Playing or Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships? Finns are a bit crazy when it comes to contests and events. Whether an event “makes sense” or not, does not matter. What’s important is that you let yourself go and have fun!

THE BEST PLACE TO BE A MOTHER – OR A CHILD
Did you know that many Finnish newborns sleep in cardboard boxes? Since 1938 Finnish state has provided all expectant mothers with a beautiful, durable box with clothes, sheets, nappies, toys and a mattress – making it an excellent bed for a tiny newcomer.

All mothers get to stay at home with their baby for almost a year with full salary or excellent benefits. When a parent with a child in a buggy uses public transport, they travel free of charge in most cities.

When the children grow older, their luck continues – Finland has held first place in OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for several years, ranking our education system as one of the world’s best.

This means that the Finnish school – also free of charge – is a good place for a child and that they are happy.

THE LARGEST ARCHIPELAGO
Finland’s coast boasts the world’s largest archipelago. It is difficult to get an exact number, but there are at least 70,000 islands, with over 20,000 of those being large enough for a small cabin or summer house. On some, you can also find beautiful old lighthouses, converted into tiny hotels.

THE RAREST SEAL IN THE WORLD
Cute, huh? The Saimaa ringed seal is one of the few living freshwater seals in the world. This endangered seal has a total population of only about 310 individuals and they can only be found in Lake Saimaa – the largest lake in Finland.

THE WEIRDEST LANGUAGE
Doubt it? Try pronouncing Äkäslompolo and you’ll soon see. The longest word is: “epäjärjestelmällistyttämättömyydelläänsäkäänköhän” – quite a tongue twister for some – but not us Finns!

*Any Finnish noun can have over 200 different forms

HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
Fans of Northern Lights, sauna and Santa Claus won’t be surprised to hear Finland has been named the happiest place to live. This year Finland topped the World Happiness Report, in which 156 countries were ranked by happiness levels, based on factors such as life expectancy, social support and corruption.

AND OF COURSE – THE WORLD’S MOST MODEST PEOPLE
After such a list of “facts”, don’t you agree?
Pst! Finns love to take things to the extreme – like swimming in icy water (pictured) or racing in the world’s toughest competitions (think of Kimi Räikkönen and Formula 1), just to point out two.

Why not experience it all yourself?