FinlandBy: Holley Hickman and Emily Price

Finland

FinlandEighth largest European country but most sparsely

populated in the European Union (5.4 mil)

Was a part of Sweden from 12th-19th century

Finland was a part of Russia in WWI until they declared independence on December 6, 1917Presidential republic

One of the world’s wealthiest nationsAlso has the best educational system in Europe, most

peaceful and economically competitive country, and has the highest quality of life.

WWIIFinland fought the Soviet Union twice until they reached

an armistice in summer of 1944

Forced Germans out of Finland

For 872, Finland had control of some areas around Leningrad during the Siege of Leningrad, but refused to fight Germany or let them use their areas to attack

Was never occupied by the Soviet Union

Trade with western countries boosted Finland from an agrarian economy to an industrialised one Western countries wanted to preserve Finland’s

indeprendence

Cold War (1945-1960s)Neutral

YYA Treaty with the Soviets“Finno-Soviet Pact of Friendship, Cooperation and

Mutual assistance”Urho Kekkonen had a monopoly on Soviet relationsNever acted anti-Soviet“Finlandization”

Russia demanded anti-Soviet censorship in Finland

Cold War (1960s-1989)People from the baby boom were entering work,

but the economy was not creating or giving enough jobs so many immigrated to Sweden (69-70)

By 1975, the economy was growing rapidly and its GDP per capita was the 15th highest in the world

By 1980, Finland had built one of the most extensive welfare states in the world

Finland post-1989 Loss of trade with the Soviet Union and an economic downward spiral

created a deep recession in the early 1990s Ended in 1993 and Finland’s economy saw steady growth for ten years

The median age is 42.7 which makes Finland one of the oldest countries

The mobile company Nokia was founded in Finland

Broadcast news in Latin

Donald Duck cartoons were banned because he doesn’t wear pants

Finnish athletes have won more Summer Olympic medals per capita than any other country (55.9 medals for every million people)

Santa has an office in Northern Finland

World’s biggest coffee drinkers (2x more than Italians, 3x Americans, 4x Brits)

The president is a woman as are 12 of the 20 government ministers

Fun stuffhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOE8pYjHa80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=uye4yT95uwM&feature=fvwp