Finland — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Finland: capital Helsinki, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Finland is in Europe. Its capital is Helsinki.

Climate

Cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild due to the moderating influence of the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic Current

Mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills; heavily forested

Finland has more saunas than cars - about 3.3 million saunas for 5.5 million people.

Finland's education system is consistently ranked among the best in the world, with no standardized tests until age 16.

Finland has about 188,000 lakes, earning it the nickname "Land of a Thousand Lakes."

1155: Swedish crusade to Finland begins Swedish rule

1809: Finland becomes autonomous Grand Duchy of Russia

1917: Finland declares independence from Russia

1939: Winter War against Soviet Union begins

1995: Finland joins the European Union

2023: Finland joins NATO