Whatever tourist destination you are planning to visit, it is always important to have information about the place, its customs, its traditions, the language or the main attractions worth knowing.
If visiting Finland catches your eye, here are some interesting facts about this Nordic country, famous for its Northern Lights.
1. If you go to Finland, you can celebrate the New Year twice.
It would be enough to cross the border with Sweden, since the time difference between these two countries is 60 minutes.
2. The Finnish had an important contribution in the cinema.
The writer J.R.R. Tolkien was inspired by the mythical Finnish novel "El Kevala" to create the High Elvish language in his famous work "The Lord of the Rings."
3. Finland declared its independence 100 years ago.
It was in the year 1917, previously it was under the rule of Russia and Sweden.
4. In Finland, October 13 is celebrated as International Failure Day.
Honoring the words of physicist Albert Einsten: "A person who never made a mistake, never tried something new," mistakes in life are thus commemorated as a path to success.
5. "Sauna" is a Finnish word.
And preserving its phonetics, this is how it is known throughout the world.
6. In Finland there are approximately 2 million saunas.
Well, they consider it a fundamental piece in homes.
7. The Finnish language has the longest palindrome in the world.
This is the word: "Saippuakivikauppias", used to describe a merchant.
8. Finnish is one of the ten most complex languages to learn and translate.
An example of this is that a name can have more than 200 forms and the longest word is "epäjärjestelmällistyttämättömyydellänsäkään".
9. The Parliament of Finland has a sauna in which all its officials can debate.
In all the diplomatic buildings of the world they also have a luxury one.
10. In Finland the phenomenon of "The Midnight Sun" takes place.
This consists of the fact that in the months of June and July the Sun remains on the horizon, shedding clear light even at midnight.
11. Lapland is home to the Sami, the only indigenous community in Scandinavia recognized by the European Union.
These are engaged in coastal fishing and reindeer herding activities. They have their own language that is in danger of disappearing.
12. Each year the Aurora Borealis appears more than 200 times in Finnish Lapland.
It is the ideal place to admire this natural phenomenon.
13. There is a population of 320 seals in Lake Saimaa.
It has become the place where these mammals are most threatened.
14. To explore Finnish Lapland, you can do it using a sleigh pulled by huskies or reindeer.
15. More than 70% of Finland's territory is made up of forests, which makes it an incredibly green country.
16. TheHeavy metal has a strong presence in Finland.
There are those who consider it the best in the world, so much so that there is a band of dinosaurs from Heavy metal for children where they are encouraged to stay in school, do their homework, or eat well.
17. Finland has the highest water mass to land ratio in the world with 188 thousand lakes.
18. In Finland there are historical neighborhoods with wooden houses that are still preserved and give them a special charm.
They were built over the centuries with available natural resources.
19. Finland is home to the longest archipelago in the world with more than 70 thousand islands that make it up.
20. The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is among the 10 cities in the world with the best air quality.
21. Finland offers the best postnatal care for families.
The government grants him cardboard cribs with toys, clothes and others; Moms can stay a full year with the baby receiving their salary with all benefits and, if they use public transport with a stroller, they travel for free.
22. Education in Finland is among the best in the world.
Children do not go to school until they are 7 years old, and institutions are not required to deliver grades until second year of high school.
23. The Finnish press is ranked among the top five in the world.
24. The term "Molotov Bombs" was adapted in Finland.
It was used to describe the incendiary bombs with which they defended themselves against the Russians during World War II, referring to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vyacheslav Molotov. These weapons are said to have arisen during the Spanish Civil War to fight against tanks.
25. Every year Finland increases part of its territory.
The reason is that it is still recovering from ice age glaciers that with their weight sank part of the land.
Fancy traveling to Finland? Now that you know a little more about its culture, go ahead and plan your next trip to this Scandinavian country where there is much more to know!
See also:
- The 15 Best Destinations In Europe
- 15 Cheapest Destinations To Travel In Europe
- How Much Does It Cost To Travel To Europe: Budget To Go Backpacking
