What is the first thing that comes to mind when you are talking about Finland? It could be maybe the mystical Northern lights, everlasting woods, or maybe serene lakes that run beyond the horizon. But no one can tell only about the postcard beauty, there is a country, which is rich in surprises, innovative, and inalienable to nature. Well, in this blog, we will find out the geographical location of Finland, what is so unique, and why it has been dubbed as one of the happiest and most unusual nations in the world. Geography and time zone, languages of Finland, currency, and large cities, among other things, we embark on a tourist trip in this Nordic marvel.
Finland is a country in Northern Europe, bordered by Sweden to the West, Norway to the north, Russia to the east, and the Baltic Sea to the south. Such a geographical location provides it with a combination of Scandinavian appeal, Eastern influence, and a special identity of its own.
To a traveller who glances at the map, Finland may appear to be some distance off, somewhere in the north east of Europe; however, it is much closer to the rest of the continent than one would have initially thought. The capital city, Helsinki, is only a few hours by ferry boat from Tallinn in Estonia and a brief flight from Stockholm or Copenhagen.
It is a much-asked question--is Finland in Scandinavia? Technically, the answer is no, but it is frequently united with Scandinavian countries due to cultural as well as geographical factors. Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are traditionally known as Scandinavia. Nonetheless, Finland belongs to the larger Nordic region that covers Iceland and the Scandinavian trio.
Finnish language and culture are very different in relation to its neighbors, which are Scandinavian, and more so, the fact that Finnish language is not a Germanic language like Swedish or Danish. Nevertheless, Finland is very Nordic, with many common features, including a good welfare state, a good quality of living, and respect for nature.
Geographically and culturally, Finland sits at a crossroads between East and West. You can see traces of both Western European and Russian influences in its architecture, cuisine.
Although the nation has very strong Western-oriented values and governance, it is proud of its varied origins. The combination of these makes Finland seem familiar and distinctively different at the same time.
Also read: Discovering Lapland: A Magical Winter Wonderland Adventure
Knowledge about the time zone in Finland is very imperative, particularly among travelers or other people holding business dealings with Finnish people. Finland follows Eastern European Time (EET), which is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2).
In the winter, between the last March and the last day of October, the country transitions into the Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3).
Another way of making the time in Finland even more magical is the extreme daylight changes in the country. In the northern poles, the sun does not set for a couple of weeks in summer- a natural miracle called the Midnight Sun.
The endlessly long days give locals the opportunity to enjoy festivals, outdoor sports, and late-night swims. Alternatively, winter also has in store the Polar Night, when the sun hardly comes up, as opposed to providing the long dark, warm months when candles and saunas are ideal, and even the magical glow of the Northern Lights.
Finland has drastically varied weather depending on the seasons, and it has been a significant factor in the way of life and lifestyles of the Finnish people.
Summers in Finland are not long, and yet they are absolutely gorgeous. The temperatures are between 60 o to 75 o F and daylight time is even more unfathomable. Beautiful lakes are the order of the day, and people start going to summer cottages.
Winters, however, make Finland a snowy paradise. The temperatures are usually below the freezing point, particularly in Lapland, the north.
The cold notwithstanding, Finns take the season as a cause to rejoice, and this is seen through skiing, ice skating, and the celebration of Christmas markets in lighted markets. It’s also the best time to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
Spring brings renewal as snow melts and the countryside bursts with greenery. Autumn, known locally as ruska, paints the forests in stunning shades of orange and gold, making it one of the most picturesque times to visit.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the country is the languages of Finland. The nation has two official languages—Finnish and Swedish—and a few recognized minority languages, including Sami, spoken by the indigenous people of Lapland.
Finnish, or Suomi, is unlike most European languages. It belongs to the Finno-Ugric family, which also includes Estonian and Hungarian. Its vocabulary and grammar are distinct and challenging to learn, yet incredibly poetic and expressive.
The other language is Swedish, which is spoken mostly on the west coast and the South coast. Finnish and Swedish signs, along with government offices, are also shown on the street, addressing the bilingual culture of this country.
The capital of Finland is Helsinki, the city of design and seashores, Tampere, the city of creativity with its lakes, Turku, the childhood of the capital, with the medieval roots, Oulu, the northernmost and innovative city, and Rovaniemi, the magic Arctic city and the home of Santa Claus. The cities are the best places to see in terms of diversification and attractiveness of Finland, as they present a different mixture of culture, nature, and modern life.
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It is better to learn about the currency of Finland before making a trip. Finland is a member of the European Union, and its official currency is the Euro (E). There are extended ATMs, and the majority of stores accept credit and debit cards.
Finland is also a little more costly than other nations in Europe, particularly in the large cities such as Helsinki. Nevertheless, the cost is compensated by the quality of life, high standards of infrastructure, and the highest quality of education and care systems. Tourists have found that the money is well spent when visiting Finland, where a quiet lake sauna or sled ride with husky dogs can be experienced.
Now that you understand why it is so special where Finland is, there is no difficulty in understanding how this Nordic country can get hearts all over the world. With its tranquil lakes to its inventive cities, with its traditions as well as modern lifestyle- Filifestyle land where calmness meets new developments. Finland has anything to offer, be it to see the Northern Lights, to learn about its languages and culture, or to enjoy a sauna by a lake; it is a place of serenity and beauty that is difficult to discover elsewhere.
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