1. LANGUAGE

2. official languages are Finnish and Swedish Finnish is the native tongue of 94% of the population and Swedish is the native tongue of 5% of the population the only official minority language is Sami other common languages are Russia and Estonia

3. Language has a special significance in the development of one’s culture and identity. Mikael Agricola created the Finnish standard language with quill and ink. The year 2007 will mark the 450th anniversary of Mikael Agricola’s death

4.  Agricola’s first published works were Abckiria 1543 the most important work of Agricola is his translation of the New Testament into Finnish