» Facts & Figures

This page opens the door to a comprehensive repository of information about Finland.

» Politics & Society

What's life like in Finland? What's the political system, for a start? If you're curious to know, read here about many of the components that make up this northernmost member state of the European Union.

» History

Independent since 1917 and now a member of the European Union, Finland was part of the Swedish realm for some 600 years up to 1809 and then attached to the Russian empire for just over a century.

» The Economy

Considering that Finland has developed from an agrarian outpost to its present position as a beacon of high technology, the economy is quite a success story.

» Foreign Policy

Active in most of the world community's principal non-military organisations, Finland gets along well with virtually everybody.

» Media

All branches technically advanced and available nationwide.

» Education & Research

Two leading priorities in this post-industrial society where educational standards are among the world's highest.

» People: Famous Finns

Some of them are famous only in Finland. The ones known outside used to be mainly involved in sport. That still applies but there is a wider spread now. Today's list includes high-tech wizards and industrial designers plus big names in music and the movies.

» People: Way of life

An orderly, peaceful, functioning society where most people see sense in developing their minds.

» Arts & Entertainment

Music and architecture are arguably Finland's highest art forms that are recognised abroad.

» Nature & the Environment

Despite the continuing urbanisation of life in Finland, most Finns maintain links with the land, some concrete, some abstract. Conservation and other green values have wide support.

» Events/What's on

Fairs and festivals galore are mainly what's on, year-round – at every cultural level – from grand opera to sailing boats to bog football.

» Travel

It should be fairly obvious by now, but perhaps it's still worth repeating that you can get to the land of the midnight sun easily by land, sea or air.

» Picture Book

Finland may be a post-industrial, go-ahead, knowledge-based society but where both the natural and built-up environments are concerned there is also tradition and continuity, as our picture book shows.

» Featured Sites

Virtual Finland's Featured Sites showcases a wide array of resources - products, events, personalities, organisations - in any area we feel readers might enjoy visiting. The common criterion is that each site offers something created or happening in Finland.

» News Room

Here you'll find daily news about Finland, plus political and economic analyses, sport, the arts and a feedback facility for your comments.