Finland is the sixth largest country in Europe in terms of area. To the west lies Sweden, to the north Norway, to the east Russia and to the south Estonia, making Finland the easternmost of the Nordic countries. After Iceland and Norway, Finland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe with only 17 inhabitants per square km. Up to 67 per cent of the five million people live in urban areas.
Finland is traditionally known for its high level of technology and outstanding architecture and design. Successful Finnish businesses such as Nokia, Marimekko and Wärtsilä are known all over the world, but you might also be familiar with other successful Finnish phenomena, like the highly original films by Aki Kaurismäki, music from Sibelius to The Rasmus, Lordi and HIM, or distinctive sports figures like the Formula 1 driver Kimi Räikkönen.
A good source of information about all the different aspects of Finland is, for example, the This is Finland website or Life in Finland guide.
