FROM THE VIKING AGE TO TODAY
Finland’s history is characterized by constant changes in the rulers. Both Sweden and Russia claimed the country for themselves for centuries. Despite these adversities, Finland has developed into a modern and democratic state. Learn more about Finland’s exciting past.
FINLAND UNDER SWEDISH INFLUENCE
After several crusades rocked the country, the Swedes claimed the western part of Finland. The eastern part of Karelia was assigned to Russia. In the early 14th century Finland joined Sweden, which established Christianity as the dominant power in the country. Over the course of several centuries, Sweden lost its claim and had to cede parts of Finland to Russia due to lost wars.
RUSSIA’S RULE
In 1809 Finland received the status of a Grand Duchy with extensive autonomy from Russia. However, this was severely restricted by Tsar Nicholas II, which led to political and social tensions in the country. This would last until the First World War and plunge the country into a crisis.
FINLAND’S INDEPENDENCE
The rule of the Russian tsars was ended by the February Revolution, so that Finland finally achieved independence on December 6th. December 6th is still the Finnish national holiday today. The uncertainty about the newly introduced democratic order led to conflicts between left and right groups. Government troops defeated the insurgents and Finland finally became a republic in 1919.
PERIOD OF WORLD WAR II AND AFTER
Finland’s independence was put to a severe test during World War II. Parts of Karelia again fell to Russia. After the war ended, Finland joined the UN and the Nordic Council. Despite great efforts, Finland was still struggling with the sometimes great influence of Russia in economic and social terms.
EU ACCESSION AND SOVEREIGNTY
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Finland finally saw itself in a position to open up further to other countries as well. After neighboring Sweden submitted an application to join the EU, the pressure on the government increased to join the confederation as well. According to countryaah, Finland became a member of the EU in 1995 and introduced the euro as its currency in 2002.
LANDMARKS OF FINLAND
Short for FIN by abbreviationfinder, Finland is almost as big as Germany and there are no fewer sights to discover in the far north. Get inspiration for your next trip here.
HELSINKI CATHEDRAL
The Helsini Cathedral is rather untypical for Scandinavian countries, because its classical style is rarely found in the north. The cross-domed church was built by Carl Ludwig Engel from 1820 to 1850. A visit is especially worthwhile in summer when the Krypta Café is open.
SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
A dream for all children, because you can meet Santa Claus here every day. In Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus personally welcomes his guests. In addition, you can leave your wish list exclusively at Santa’s post office and find out about the various festive traditions from around the world.
NAANTALI
Beautifully situated near Turku is one of the oldest cities in Finland, Naantali. The town’s landmarks are the picturesque wooden houses and the archipelago landscape outside the city gates. Don’t miss the Naantali Church, built at the end of the 15th century.
RAUMA
Experience the third oldest city, Rauma, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its numerous wooden buildings. More than 600 houses have been preserved since the 17th century. It is also worth taking a detour to the Bronze Age cemetery in Sammallahdenmäki, also a world heritage site.
PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR THE TRIP TO FINLAND
Before you start your trip to Finland, there is a lot of information that should be clarified. How do I get there, what is the tip policy in Finland or do I have to take a power socket with me? Find out at a glance what you need to know before a holiday in Finland. We are happy to answer any further questions you may have.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN BRIEF
Drive
The Finnish road network is well developed. In the north, where some roads are not tarred, bumps can appear after long periods of rain, despite good maintenance. In winter even these roads are mostly cleared of snow. Be considerate of cyclists and watch out for suddenly appearing reindeer (in the north) and moose. If you run into an animal, call the nearest police station immediately via the 112 emergency number. It is mandatory to drive with dipped headlights and wear belts during the day. Unless otherwise stated, there is a speed limit of 50 km / h in urban areas and 80 km / h on country roads. Where nothing else is signposted, 100 km / h on country roads and 120 km / h on motorways (100 km / h in winter) apply. On the Åland Islands, 70 or 90 km / h applies on country roads. Many petrol stations are open around the clock. (Warning: foreign credit cards are not accepted everywhere.)
