Welcome to the land of a thousand lakes, the home of Angry Birds, and the origin of the mobile phone! This is Finland, a country that is as fascinating as it is unique. But how much do you really know about this Nordic nation? Sure, you might be aware of its love for coffee, its breathtaking Northern Lights, and its unbeatable education system. But there’s so much more to discover! Get ready to discover 18 facts you probably didn’t know about Finland.
#1 Finland Is the Leader in Environmental Sustainability
Finland is a leader in environmental sustainability. It is often ranked as one of the greenest and most environmentally friendly countries in the world. Finland has made significant investments in renewable energy, and more than 40% of its energy consumption comes from renewable sources (Source: State Treasury of Finland).
#2 In Finland, Men Compete in Who Can Carry Their Wives the Fastest
Finland is the home of the annual Wife Carrying World Championships. This unique sport involves male competitors carrying their female partners through an obstacle course. The event attracts participants from all over the world and has gained international recognition.
#3 Finland – the Land of 188,000 Lakes
Finland is known as the “Land of a Thousand Lakes,” but in reality, it has even more than that. There are approximately 188,000 lakes in the country, ranging in size from small ponds to larger bodies of water like Lake Saimaa, which is the fourth largest lake in Europe (Source: This is Finland).
#4 Finland Has Extremely Low Infant Mortality Rates
Finland has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, at just 1.422 deaths per 1,000 live births (Source: Macro Trends and Statista).
#5 Absurdly High Coffee Consumption Keeps Finns Going
In 2020, Finland, known for its deep-rooted coffee culture, ranked second in global coffee consumption per capita at 7.8 kg per person. This longstanding practice had kept Finland at the top in coffee consumption for years until Norway surpassed it. Finns typically drink three to five cups of coffee daily, mostly in homes or workplaces. (Source: Statista 1 and Statista 2).
#6 Finland Has the World’s Largest Archipelago
Finland is home to the world’s largest archipelago, with over 80,000 islands (Source: Visit Finland).
#7 Finland Is Europe’s Most Forested Country
Finland is Europe’s most forested country with over 73% of its land covered in forests. The forests are growing, with the amount of new trees exceeding the ones cut down by 30% each year. Despite the fact that more wood is being cut, the number of trees in Finnish forests has been increasing over the last 50 years (Source: The World Bank & Finnish Forest Industries).
#8 Finland Gives Everyone “Everyman’s Rights”
Finland has a unique concept called “Everyman’s Right” (Jokamiehenoikeus), which allows people to freely enjoy nature and roam the countryside, regardless of land ownership. This means that anyone can explore forests, pick berries and mushrooms, and camp on public and private lands, as long as they show respect for the environment and private properties. (Source: Nationalparks.fi)
#9 You Can See Northern Lights in Finland
Finland is one of the few countries where the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are commonly seen during the Northern Lights season. The northern parts of Finland, especially in Finnish Lapland, offer excellent opportunities to witness this breathtaking natural phenomenon during the winter months.
Have you ever heard about kaamos, Polar Night in Finland?
#10 The Wireless EKG Heart Rate Monitor Was Invented in Finland
Finland has produced many notable inventions and innovations. Among the most famous Finnish inventions is the wireless EKG heart rate monitor, invented in 1977 by Polar Electro to aid the Finnish Cross Country Ski Team.
#11 Finns Love Saunas. A Lot.
Finnish people have a deep-rooted love for saunas, evident in their regular usage and the high number of saunas in the country. Statistics vary, but between 60 and 90 percent of Finns use a sauna at least once a week. This cultural affinity is highlighted by the fact that there are approximately 3.3 million saunas in Finland, outnumbering cars, in a nation with a population of about 5.5 million. Saunas in Finland are more than just a place for relaxation and socializing; they are also seen as essential for enhancing both physical and mental health (Source: International Sauna Association).
#12 Moomins Come From Finland
Finland is home to the Moomins, beloved characters created by Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson. The Moomins are a family of white, roundish trolls with large snouts, and they have gained international recognition through books, comics, and two animated TV series.
#13 Santa Claus Lives in Finland
Finland is home to Santa Claus. You can find Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa Claus in Santa Claus Village, located in Rovaniemi, Lapland. It is a popular tourist destination, especially during the Christmas season, where visitors can meet Santa Claus, cross the Arctic Circle, and experience the enchanting atmosphere of the holiday season.
Have you ever hear a heart-warming story about the first ever letter that was sent to Santa Claus in Finland?
#14 Finland Is One of the Least Densely Populated Countries in Europe
Finland is one of the least densely populated countries in Europe, with only 18.2 people per square kilometer (Source: Eurostat 2022).
#15 Literacy Rate in Finland Is 100%
Finland is one of the few countries in the world with a literacy rate among adults at 100%, reflecting its highly effective education system and strong emphasis on reading and writing skills from an early age. (Source: Wisevoter 2023).
#16 Finland Is Safe
Finland is one of the safest countries in the world. It consistently ranks among the lowest in crime rates and is known for its high level of safety and security. Finland is often considered a peaceful and stable country to live in (Source: The Times).
The information in this article has been fact-checked by the Life in Finland team to our best capacity in November 2023. Which of these sixteen facts surprised you the most? Leave a comment below.
#17 The Longest Place Name in Finland Has 35 Letters
There’s a bog region in the municipality of Savukoski in Lapland called Äteritsiputeritsipuolilautatsijänkä. The meaning is not totally understood, but the words are Samic and Taarna Valtonen thinks that the whole name could mean “The bog on which the storage hut standing on a single pillar and belonging to ‘Paul’, the son of ‘Peter’, the son of ‘Andrew’, stands/stood on” according to Wiktionary. The 35 letters makes it Europe’s third longest place name!
#18 Almost 200 Lakes in Finland Share the Same Name
The name Saarijärvi (literally “island lake”) is the most popular lake name in Finland – 198 lakes have this exact name. No wonder, considering how many lakes with small islands there are in Finland.
What’s one the most fascinating fact you have learned about Finland?