Finland

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

23 (2000)

Internet country code

.fi

Internet users

2.27 million (2000)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

7.7 million (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system with excellent service domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and an extensive cellular net provide domestic needs international: 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)

Telephones - main lines in use

2.861 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2,162,574 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

130 (plus 385 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

3.2 million (1997)

Agriculture - products

cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish

Budget

revenues: $36.1 billion expenditures: $31 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)

Currency

markka (FIM); euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Finland at a fixed rate of 5.94573 markkaa per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002

Currency code

FIM; EUR

Debt - external

$30 billion (December 1993)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $379 million (1997)

Economy - overview

Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important, with exports equaling more than one-third of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe - Finland was one of the 11 countries joining the euro monetary system (EMU) on 1 January 1999 - will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. Growth in 2001 will be bolstered by strong private consumption, yet may be 1 or 2 points lower than in 2000, largely because of a weakening in export demand.

Electricity - consumption

81.611 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

232 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

11.356 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

75.792 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 41.88% hydro: 16.77% nuclear: 28.82% other: 12.53% (1999)

Exchange rates

euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); markkaa per US dollar - 5.3441 (1998), 5.1914 (1997), 4.5936 (1996)

Exports

$44.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp

Exports - partners

EU 58% (Germany 13%, Sweden 10%, UK 9%, France 5%, Netherlands 4%), US 8%, Russia, Japan (1999)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $118.3 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 3.5% industry: 29% services: 67.5% (1999)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $22,900 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.6% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991)

Imports

$32.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains

Imports - partners

EU 60% (Germany 15%, Sweden 11%, UK 7%), US 8%, Russia 7%, Japan 6% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate

7.5% (2000)

Industries

metal products, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.4% (2000 est.)

Labor force

2.6 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

public services 32%, industry 22%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, agriculture and forestry 8%, transport and communications 8%, construction 6%

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

9.8% (2000 est.)

Area

total: 337,030 sq km land: 305,470 sq km water: 31,560 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Montana

Climate

cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Coastline

1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates

64 00 N, 26 00 E

Geography - note

long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain

Irrigated land

640 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 2,628 km border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km

Land use

arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 76% other: 16% (1993 est.)

Location

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 12 NM (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 NM)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver

Terrain

mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills

Administrative divisions

6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani

Capital

Helsinki

Constitution

17 July 1919

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form: Suomen Tasavalta local short form: Suomi

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Carol VAN VOORST embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, FIN-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 171931

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jaakko Tapani LAAJAVA chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800

Executive branch

chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 6 February 2000 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed from the majority party by the president after parliamentary elections election results: Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esco AHO (Kesk) 48.4% note: government coalition - SDP, Kok, Leftist Alliance (People's Democratic Union and Democratic Alternative), SFP, and Green Union

FAX

[1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

FAX

[358] (9) 174681

Flag description

white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Government type

republic

Independence

6 December 1917 (from Russia)

International organization participation

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)

Legal system

civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 21 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - SDP 22.9%, Kesk 22.5%, Kok 21.0%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.9%, SFP 5.1%, Green Union 7.2%, SKL 4.2%; seats by party - SDP 51, Kesk 48, Kok 46, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 20, SFP 11, Green Union 11, SKL 10, other 3

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

Political parties and leaders

Center Party or Kesk [Esko AHO]; Finnish Christian Union or SKL [C. P. Bjarne KALLIS]; Green Union [Satu HASSI]; Leftist Alliance (Communist) composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative [Suvi-Anne SIIMES]; National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Sauli NIINISTO]; Reform Group [Risto KUISMA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Paavo LIPPONEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Jan-Erik ENESTAM]; True Finns [Timo SOINI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Communist Workers Party [Timo LAHDENMAKI]; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Communist Party-Unity [Yrjo HAKANEN]; Finnish Pensioners Party

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Ruled by Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and by Russia from 1809, Finland finally won its independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and fend off invasions by the Soviet Union and Germany. In the subsequent half century, the Finns have made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now on par with Western Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes Sea Guard)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$1.8 billion (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2% (FY98)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 1,251,700 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 1,033,188 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

17 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 33,883 (2001 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18% (male 474,967; female 456,584) 15-64 years: 66.97% (male 1,750,660; female 1,715,358) 65 years and over: 15.03% (male 300,569; female 477,645) (2001 est.)

Birth rate

10.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate

9.75 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups

Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.05% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,100 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate

3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages

Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.58 years male: 73.92 years female: 81.36 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA%

Nationality

noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish

Net migration rate

0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population

5,175,783 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate

0.16% (2001 est.)

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.7 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

159 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 69 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 10 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 90 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 84 (2000 est.)

Highways

total: 77,796 km paved: 49,789 km (including 444 km of expressways) unpaved: 28,042 km (1999)

Merchant marine

total: 98 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,172,808 GRT/1,138,175 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 23, chemical tanker 5, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 11, railcar carrier 1, roll on/roll off 37, short-sea passenger 11 (2000 est.)

Pipelines

natural gas 580 km

Ports and harbors

Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus

Railways

total: 5,865 km broad gauge: 5,865 km 1.524-m gauge (2,192 km electrified; 480 km double or multiple track) (1998)

Waterways

6,675 km note: includes Saimaa Canal; 3,700 km suitable for large ships