Located in Northern Europe, Finland has borders with Russia,
Norway, and Sweden. Because of its location, it attracts people
from all over the world, especially the ones who like the ocean
and Scandinavian countries. The country has a hazy history, with
the Romans and even the Vikings not wanting to mess with the
local people of the area. Over the years, Finland became a
distinct country in the region. Unlike some other countries in
the area, it didn't fall under Soviet control after World War
II, which made a difference in the history of the country in the
late 20th century. Today, as mentioned, many people travel to
Finland to have a beautiful adventure that's not too exotic but
different enough to be exciting.
The country is mainly low lying, flat fields, unlike neighboring
Sweden with its cliffs. There are many small and medium sized
lakes all over Finland, making it a great place for those who
love fishing. You'll want to check with local laws before you
throw your line in the water, however. If fishing isn't your
thing, don't worry as there are many other activities that you
can get into all over the country.
Things to do in Finland
Holidays - Festivals and
events are a really big deal all over Finland. Depending on
the time of year you visit, there may be one or more different
events going on in different places. Easter and the Midsummer
Festival are two of the big ones.
Skiing - There are some
great slopes to Ski in Finland, with many great resorts to
stay at even if you don't want to ski. Sometimes it's all
about taking in the beautiful scenery.
Castles - If castles are
your thing, there are quite a few historical sites in Finland
that will literally take your breath away.
Places to Visit in Finland
Helsinki - The largest city
in Finland, this is the place most people come for their first
visit to the country.
Kuopio - If you want to see
the local university life, this is the city to travel to
first.
Vaasa - Near to this city
is the Kvarken Archipelago, which you may want to see before
something happens to the area. It is a protected area, but you
can still see the area.
Oulu - If you are into
technology in any way, this may be the city you want to stay
in during your trip to Finland.
Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages of
Finland, but the overwhelming majority of people speak Finnish.
If you didn't know, Finnish is different than other Scandinavian
languages, different than English and even Russian. For this
reason, even many people from Europe find it difficult to learn
Finnish or even read the signs. That said, if you are a tourist
who speaks English, there is a very good chance you're going to
find someone who speaks English no matter where you go in the
country. Also, many younger people in the country now speak
English as well as Finnish.
As with other Scandinavian countries, the cuisine is very much
centered around the many lakes in and the ocean surrounding the
country. If you like seafood and fish, you're in for a treat. If
not, there are still options that are more international in
flavor. Finland is also similar in that they're really big into
festivals and large, city-wide events. For tourists, these can
make a normal trip to Finland a very special event if some big
festival is going on when you're there.
