FINLAND

Finland is part of northern Europe. Nestled between Sweden and Russia. Although it is considered subarctic, the climate tends to be mild due to the North Atlantic Current, the Baltic Sea and the more than 60,000 lakes. Where in the World? factbook/geos/fi.html

THE PEOPLE OF FINLAND ARE MOSTLY FINNS. 93% OF THE POPULATION IS MADE UP OF FINNS, WHILE ALMOST 6% ARE OF SWEDISH DECENT AND THE OTHER 1% IS MADE UP OF RUSSIANS, ESTONIANS, ROMAS, AND SAMI. Religion: The Luthern church makes up 82% of the population, while 15% belong to no organized religion

GOVERNMENT Finland is a parliamentary democracy. They have a Prime minister, who is like the USA’s president. They have a president who is the Head of State, much like England has a Queen. It has a multiple party system, where the parties tend to work together for the greater good of the country. Prime Minister: Jyrki Katainen (since 22 June 2011) President: Sauli Ninisto (since 1 March 2012) Presidential elections occur every six years. The president can serve two terms. After the election of the president, the parliament votes on a prime minister and he or she is then appointed by the president. factbook/geos/fi.html n=2&culture=en-US

ECONOMICS Major Industries: Metals, electronics and wood. Export: Mobil phones is a one of their biggest exports. Exports take care of over 1/3 the GDP. This means all of the goods and services produced per capita in a given year. Imports: Food stuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, and chemicals. investforest.cominvestforest.com, world-factbook/geos/fi.html

LIFESTYLE

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE Entertainment is diverse in Finland. There are outdoor sports such as skiing, hiking, and fishing are just some of the many things that the people of Finland enjoy. Video games and shopping help out on cold, wintery days and nights. Much like the US, night clubs and restaurants offer the Finns a place to meet and relax. The Finnish people have used saunas for over two thousand years. Most families sauna weekly, some everyday, and even today many babies are born in the sterile environment of a sauna. Finns are so serious about the sauna, that no matter where they travel they build saunas. During war times and the Olympics, saunas are constructed.

FOOD Leipäjuusto (bread cheese). Vispipuuro (whipped lingonberry porridge). Lohikeitto (salmon soup). Kaalikääryleet (cabbage rolls). Piparkakku (gingerbread cookies). Kalakukko (fish pie)

ART bjws.blogspot.combjws.blogspot.com, ninainvorm.punt.nl, ninainvorm.punt.nlwww.flickr.com Finnish Art is as diverse as any country that includes, paintings in many different mediums, weaving and textile, pottery and other untraditional materials.

HOUSING jaymartinwrites.wordpress.com

HOLIDAYS WednesdayJan 1New Year's DayNational holiday MondayJan 6EpiphanyNational holiday FridayApr 18Good FridayNational holiday SundayApr 20Easter DayNational holiday MondayApr 21Easter MondayNational holiday ThursdayMay 1May DayNational holiday SundayMay 11Mother's DayDe facto holiday ThursdayMay 29Ascension DayNational holiday SundayJun 8Whit SundayNational holiday FridayJun 20Midsummer EveDe facto holiday SaturdayJun 21MidsummerNational holiday SaturdayNov 1All Saints' DayNational holiday SundayNov 9Father's DayDe facto holiday SaturdayDec 6Independence DayNational holiday WednesdayDec 24Christmas EveDe facto holiday ThursdayDec 25Christmas DayNational holiday FridayDec 26St. Stephen's DayNational holiday

CREATED AND RESEARCHED BY MRS. KELSO I would like to thank my husband for helping guide me in the right direction.