FINLAND

Map of Finland Helsinki is the capital city. Jyväskylä Leppävesi, Laukaa

In the Second World War Finland fought against Russia many times. Finland stayed independent but it had to give away parts of the country. There are many books and films about this war, for example Talvisota (Winter War). Finnish history Sweden ruled in Finland in about 1150 – In 1808 Sweden- Finland lost the war to Russia. After this Russia reigned in Finland. Finland became independent in After this there was a civil war between the government and the rebells against the government in Finland.

Population 5.4 million We used to have our own mark as our currancy. We started to use euro in January in The Finnish president Sauli Niinistö Area: km² Official languages: Finnish and Swedish Biggest cities: Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, Vantaa, Turku, Capital: Helsinki Finnish flag

Finnish Animals Bear Bear is the biggest carnivore in Europe living on the ground. In the winter it hibernates – it sleeps in a nest. Bear eats mainly vegeterian food. It usually avoids people. Reindeer Reindeer lives in the north of Finland. It has horns and it eats lichen, twigs, mushrooms and hay. It survives the cold winters with the help of its thick fur. It usually wants to avoid people. LYNX Lynx is a middle size cat animal. It eats meat. It moves in the dark and at nights. It has a short tail and bobbles at the top of its ears. Elk Elk is a big mammal used to live in northern conditions. Its fur is dark brown and grey. Swan Swan lives in the water. It has a long neck and white feathers.

Famous places Helsinki is the capital and largest city on Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city proper of Helsinki is 601,035 (31 August 2012),3 making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland.3 Korvatunturi Korvatunturi is a 468 high mountain or fell on the Finnish east border in the community of Savukoski. The fell Korvatunturi has three tops and the border between Finland and Russia goes through the middle one. Father Christmas with his wife and elves lives in Korvatunturi. Turku archipelago Turku archipelago consists of about islands from Särkisalo to Hiittinen in Saaristomeri in south- west coast of Finland. A road called Saariston rengastie connects the islands. Ylläs The mountain or fell Ylläs is 719,3 m high and is situated in the western Lapland in the community of Kolari. Ylläs is a popular skiing center. There are two villages called Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi there mainly for tourists.

Famous Finnish people The Duudsons a group of four Finnish men (Jarno, HP, Jukka and Jarppi) known for a television show with wild stunts and practical jokes Teemu Selänne Born on (42 years old) Right winger Nickname: The Finnish Flash Played in NHL in Anaheim Ducks, Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche Winner of Stanley Cup in in Anaheim Ducks Has achieved 1400 points (goals and assists) in NHL KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN Kimi-Matias Räikkönen is a Finnish formula driver and the World Champion in Now he drives in Lotus F1 Team. In 2010 he was a rally driver in team Citroen with C4 WRC-car.

Finland is known for Father Christmas or Santa Claus lives in Korvatunturi in Finland. Nokia a Finnish mobile company Sauna a Finnish invention. Lakes Finland in known as a country of thousands of lakes. Saimaa is the biggest lake in Finland. Moomins are very popular in Finland. Tove Jansson is the writer of the Moomin stories.

Sport in Finland The Finnish baseball is also a popular sport. The most popular game in Finland is ice hockey. Every Finn watches it at least sometimes. Kyykkä is a Finnish game. You throw wooden sticks with a bat similar to a baseball bat. Leppäveden Leppä is our own football team that was the winner of the area this year with boys born in 2000.