Wayzata World Factbook 1996/The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso/mac/TEXT/backgrd/FINLAND.BKG

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US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
BACKGROUND NOTES:  FINLAND

OFFICIAL NAME:  Republic of Finland

PROFILE
Geography
Area: 337,113 sq. km. (130,160 sq. mi.); about the size of New
England, New Jersey, and New York combined. Cities:
Capital-Helsinki (pop. 484,399). Other cities-Tampere (167,335),
Turku (163,655). Terrain: Low but hilly, more than 70% forested, with
more than 60,000 lakes. Climate: Cool; mean annual temperature in
Helsinki (1977-86) +5 C (41 F); July +17  C (63 F); January -6 C (21 F).

People
Nationality: Noun-Finn(s). Adjective-Finnish. Population (1989):
4,971,844. Annual growth rate (1989): 0.4%. Ethnic groups: Finns,
Swedes, Lapps, Gypsies, Tartars. Religions (1987): Lutheran 88.7%,
Orthodox 1.1%. Languages: Finnish 93.6%, Swedish 6%. Education:
Years compulsory-9. Attendance-almost 100%. Literacy-almost 100%.
Health (1989):  Infant mortality rate-6/1,000. Life expectancy-males
71 yrs., females 79 yrs. Work force (1989, 2,559,000):
Agriculture-8.7%. Industry, commerce, and finance-53.3%. Services
(public and personal)-24.7%.  Government-5.4%.  Transport (storage
and communication)-7.1%.


Government
Type: Constitutional republic. Constitution: July 17, 1919.
Independence: December 6, 1917.

Branches: Executive-president (chief of state), prime minister (head
of government), Council of State (cabinet).  Legislative-Unicameral
parliament.  Judicial-Supreme Court, regional appellate courts, local
courts.
Subdivisions: 12 provinces, provincial self-rule for the Aland Islands.

Political parties: Four largest, in order: Social Democratic Party
(SDP), National Coalition (Conservative) Party, Center Party, Leftist
Alliance.
Central government budget (1989): $28.91 billion.

Defense (1989): 1.4% of GDP.

Flag: Light blue cross on a white field.

Economy
GDP (1989): $114.9 billion.  Annual growth rate: 5% (GDP).  Per
capita income (1989 est.): $23,153.  Inflation rate (1989): 6.6%.
Natural resources: Forests, minerals (copper, zinc, iron), farmland.
Agriculture (3% of GDP): Products-meat (pork and beef), grain
(wheat, rye, barley, oats), dairy products, potatoes, rapeseed.
Industry (27% of GDP): Types-metal and steel, forest, foodstuffs,
textile and clothing.
Trade (1989): Exports-$23.2 billion: paper and paperboard,
machinery and equipment, ships, lumber, woodpulp, chemicals.
Major markets-USSR 14.5%, Sweden 14.4%, UK 12%, FRG 10%, US
6.4%.  Imports-$24.6 billion: fuels and lubricants, machinery and
equipment, including motor vehicles, basic manufactures, chemicals;
foodstuffs.  Major suppliers-FRG 17.3%, Sweden 13.6%, USSR
11.4%, US 6.3%.
Official exchange rate (1989): 4.295 Finnmarks=US$1.

Fiscal year: Calendar year.

Membership in International Organizations
UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, including the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD),
International Monetary Fund (IMF), General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International
Development Association (IDA); Bank for International Settlements
(BIS); Asian Development Bank; Inter-American Development Bank
(IDB); Council of Europe; Nordic Council; European Free Trade
Association (EFTA); European Community (EC)-free trade
agreement; Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD); INTELSAT.


PEOPLE
The origins of the Finnish people are still a matter of conjecture,
although most scholars agree that their original home was in what is
now west-central Siberia. The Finns arrived in their present territory
thousands of years ago, pushing the indigenous Lapps into the more
remote northern regions.
The Finnish language is Finno-Ugric, of the Uralic language family (of
which Hungarian and Estonian also are a part) and not
Indo-European. Lappish, the language of the small Lapp minority,
also is Finno-Ugric.
Swedish became the dominant language following Finland's
incorporation into Sweden in the 12th century. Finnish recovered its
predominance after a resurgence of Finnish nationalism in the 19th
century. Today, although 94% of the people speak Finnish as a first
language, both Finnish and Swedish are official languages.

The population is ethnically homogeneous with no sizable immigrant
population.  Few tensions exist between the Finnish-speaking
majority and the Swedish-speaking minority.

Finns are highly literate, and poetry has played a key role in Finnish
history. Publication in 1835 of the Finnish national epic, The Kalevala,
a collection of traditional myths and legends, first stirred the
nationalism that led to independence in 1917.

An important theme in Finnish literature is humanity's unity with
nature, which identifies human fate with impersonal forces and which
gives Finnish literature a somber, sometimes tragic, sometimes
heroic, tone. Another theme is the importance of the common
people-the Finnish folk. One of the country's major writers, Frans
Emil Sillanpaa, received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1939.

Finland is one of the most active publishing countries in the world.
Although major literary works have been translated into English,
Finnish
music, because it does not require translation, is better known.  This
is especially true of the works of Jean Sibelius who, along with many
other Finnish artists, was profoundly influenced by The Kalevala.

Finns also are outstanding in other artistic fields; their jewelry, textile,
glass, and furniture designs have gained prominence throughout the
world.

Finland enjoys complete religious freedom as well as free education
through the university level. An extensive social welfare system,
constituting about one-fifth of the national income, includes a variety
of pension and assistance programs and a comprehensive health
insurance program.

 In the mid-1970s, the educational system was reformed with the
goal of equalizing educational opportunities. Beginning at age 7, all
Finnish children are required to attend a "basic school" of nine grade
levels. After this, they may elect to continue along an academic
(lukio) or vocational (ammattikoulu) line. However, most pursue
vocational studies. About one child in four receives a higher
education in this highly competitive system.  The number of openings
in higher educational institutions is less than the demand.

HISTORY
Finland's nearly 700-year association with the  Kingdom of Sweden
began in 1154 with the introduction of Christianity by Sweden's King
Eric. During the ensuing centuries, Finland played an important role
in the political life of the Swedish-Finnish realm, and Finnish soldiers
often predominated in Swedish armies. Finns also formed a
significant proportion of the first "Swedish" settlers in 17th-century
America.

In 1809, Finland was conquered by the armies of Czar  Alexander I
and thereafter remained an autonomous grand duchy connected with
the Russian Empire until the end of 1917. On December 6, 1917,
shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, Finland declared its
independence. In 1918, Finland experienced a brief but bitter civil war
that colored domestic politics for many years.

During World War II, Finland fought the Soviet Union twice-in the
Winter War of 1939-40 and again in the Continuation War of 1941-44.
This was followed by the Lapland War from 1944-45 when Finland
fought against the Germans as they withdrew their forces from
northern Finland.

The Treaty of Peace, signed at Paris on February 10, 1947, limited
the size of Finland's defense forces and provided for the cession to
the Soviet Union of the Petsamo area on the Arctic coast, the
Karelian Isthmus in southeastern Finland, and other territory along
the former eastern border. Another provision, terminated in 1956,
leased the Porkkala area near Helsinki to the USSR. for use as a
naval base and gave free access to this area across Finnish territory.
The peace treaty also called for Finland to pay to the Soviet Union
reparations of 300 million gold dollars (amounting to an estimated
$570 million in 1952, the year the payments ended). The United
States was not a signatory to the treaty because it had not been at
war with Finland.


GOVERNMENT
Under the Finnish constitution, political power is divided between the
Eduskunta (parliament) and the president of the republic, with the
highest executive power vested in the president.

Elected for a 6-year term, the president:
-- Handles foreign policy, except for certain international agreements
and decisions of peace or war, which must be submitted to
parliament;
-- Is commander in chief of the armed forces and has wide decree
and appointive powers;
--  May initiate legislation, block legislation by pocket veto, and call
extraordinary parliamentary sessions; and
-- Appoints the cabinet.


The Council of State is made up of the prime minister and ministers
for the various departments of the central government as well as an
ex-officio member, the Chancellor of Justice. Ministers are not
obliged to be members of the Eduskunta and need not be formally
identified with any political party.

Constitutionally, the 200-member, unicameral Eduskunta is the
supreme authority in Finland.  It may alter the constitution, bring
about the resignation of the Council of State, and override
presidential vetoes; its acts are not subject to judicial review.
Legislation may be initiated by the president, the Council of State, or
one of the Eduskunta members.

The Eduskunta is elected on the basis of proportional representation.
All persons 18 or older, except military personnel on active duty and
a few high judicial officials, are eligible for election. The regular
parliamentary term is 4 years; however, the president may dissolve
the Eduskunta and order new elections at any time.

The judicial system is divided between courts with regular civil and
criminal jurisdiction and special courts with responsibility for litigation
between the public and the administrative organs of the state. Finnish
law is codified. Although there is no writ of habeas corpus or bail, the
maximum period of pre-trial detention was recently reduced to 4
days. The Finnish court system consists of local courts, regional
appellate courts, and a supreme court.

Finland's 12 provinces are divided into cities, townships, and
communes administered by municipal and communal councils
elected by proportional representation once every 4 years. The 11
mainland provinces are administered by provincial boards composed
of civil servants and each headed by a presidentially appointed
governor. The boards are responsible to the Ministry of the Interior
and play a supervisory and coordinating role within the provinces.

The island province of Aaland is located near the 60th parallel
between Sweden and Finland. It enjoys local autonomy by virtue of
an international convention of 1921, implemented most recently by
the Act on Aaland Self-Government of 1951. The islands are further
distinguished by the fact that they are entirely Swedish speaking.
Government is vested in the provincial council, which consists of 30
delegates elected directly by Aaland's citizens.


Principal Government Officials
President-Mauno Koivisto
Prime Minister- Harri Holkeri
Foreign Minister-Pertti Paasio
Ambassador to the United States-Jukka Valtasaari
Ambassador to the United Nations-Klaus Tornudd

Finland maintains an embassy in the United States at 3216 New
Mexico Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016 (tel. [phone]).


POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Finland's proportional representation system encourages a multitude
of political parties and has resulted in many coalition governments.
Political activity by communists was legalized in 1944. Although four
major parties have dominated the postwar political arena, none has
a majority position. The largest is the Social Democratic Party (SDP),
which commands the support of nearly 25% of the electorate, mainly
among the urban working class but also with some support among
small farmers, white-collar workers, and professionals. The SDP's
rival on the left is the Leftist Alliance, formed in May 1990, which
replaces the People's Democratic League (SKDL), the parliamentary
group in the Eduskunta that represented the Finnish Communist
Party. The SKDL's parliamentary effectiveness and potential
participation in government were impaired, however, by the deep
split in the Communist Party between its "moderate" majority and
"hardline" minority.

The two other major parties are the Center Party, traditionally
representing rural interests, and the Conservative Party, which draws
its major support from the business community and urban
professionals.

In the February 1988 election, President Koivisto won a new 6-year
term.  Parliamentary elections in March 1987 led to the formation of
a "red-blue" coalition government that includes both the SDP and the
National Coalition (Conservative) Party.


ECONOMY
Finland has a dynamic industrial economy based on abundant forest
resources, capital investments, and technology. In the 1980s,
Finland's economic growth rate was one of the highest of
industrialized countries.  Exports contribute more than 20% of the
gross domestic product (GDP); combined exports of goods and
services amount to about 25% of GDP.  Exports and imports of
goods total about 40% of GDP.  Timber and steel are the main
industries, but other industries produce manufactured goods ranging
from electronics to motor vehicles.  Finnish-designed consumer
products such as textiles, porcelain, and glassware are world
famous.

Finland is self-sufficient in dairy products and meats, as well as in
grains in good harvest years, but it imports large amounts of fruits
and vegetables.  Farms tend to be small, but sizable timber stands
are harvested for supplementary income in winter.

Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imported
raw materials, energy, and some components for its manufactured
products.  Traditionally, Finland is a net importer of capital to finance
industrial growth.

Finland imported 70% of its energy in 1989.  Oil imports met 31% of
Finnish requirements while nuclear power provided 15%, coal 11%,
and natural gas 6%.  Domestic energy sources include hydroelectric
power, peat, and wood products.


DEFENSE
Finland's active duty defense forces are limited by the 1947 Treaty
of Peace to 41,900 troops (army 34,400, navy 4,500, air force 3,000).
The country has military conscription under which all young men
serve from 8 to 11 months. A reserve force of about 700,000 ensures
readiness as one means of deterring involvement in war. The basic
tenet of Finnish security policy is that, while foreign policy is
important, the nation's ability to defend itself is a prerequisite for a
successful policy of neutrality.


FOREIGN RELATIONS
Finland's basic foreign policy goal since 1944 has been to avoid
great-power conflicts and to build mutual confidence with the Soviet
Union.  Although the country is culturally, socially, and politically
Western, Finns realize they must live in peace with the USSR and
take no action that might be interpreted as a security threat.

The principal architect of the post-1944 foreign policy was J.K.
Paasikivi, who was president from 1946 to 1956.  Urho Kekkonen,
president from 1956 until 1981, further developed this policy,
stressing that Finland should be an active rather than a passive
neutral. This policy is now popularly known as the
"Paasikivi-Kekkonen Line."
In April 1948, Finland signed an Agreement of Friendship,
Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union, under
which Finland is obligated (with the aid of the Soviet Union, if
necessary) to resist armed attacks by Germany or its allies against
Finland, or against the USSR through Finland. At the same time, the
agreement recognizes Finland's desire to remain outside great-power
conflicts. This agreement was renewed for 20 years in 1955, again
in 1970, and most recently in 1983 to the year 2003.

Finland joined the United Nations and the Nordic Council in 1955, is
a full member of the European Free Trade Association, and in 1973
signed a free trade agreement with the European Community. It also
has entered into free trade agreements with Czechoslovakia,
Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and the German Democratic Republic; a
15-year economic cooperation agreement with the Soviet Union, last
extended in 1980; and a cooperation agreement with the Council for
Mutual Economic Assistance.

Finland also emphasizes cooperation with the other Scandinavian
countries and has been a member of the Nordic Council since 1955.
Under the council's auspices, the Nordic countries have created a
common labor market and
have abolished immigration controls among themselves. The council
also serves to coordinate social and cultural policies of the
participating countries and has promoted increased cooperation in
many fields.

In recent years, Finland has emphasized its participation in
international organizations. In proportion to its population, Finland is
well represented in the UN civil service. Finnish troops have
participated in UN peacekeeping activities since 1956 and Finns now
serve with UN forces in the Middle East and with the UN good
offices mission in Afghanistan.

Finland has hosted major international meetings such as the first and
final stages of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in
Europe (CSCE). The summit-level CSCE meeting in July and August
1975 brought 35 heads of state from Europe and North America to
Helsinki for a conference unique in diplomatic history.  Finland also
hosted a 10th anniversary CSCE commemorative meeting in the
summer of 1985 and will host the next CSCE review meeting in 1992.


US-FINNISH RELATIONS
Relations between Finland and the United States are cordial. It has
been longstanding US policy to support Finnish neutrality while
maintaining and reinforcing Finland's historic, cultural, and economic
ties with the West. Economic and trade relations between Finland
and the United States are active.  President Reagan proclaimed 1988
the Year of US-Finnish Friendship.

The US educational exchange program in Finland, comparatively
large for a West European country of Finland's size, is financed in
part from a trust fund established in 1976 from Finland's final
repayment of a US loan made in the aftermath of World War I.

Principal US Officials
Ambassador-John Giffen Weinmann
Deputy Chief of Mission-Max N. Robinson
Public Affairs Officer-William P. Kiehl
Chief, Political Section-William Kushlis
Chief, Administrative Section-William J. Burke, Jr.

Defense and Air Attache-William A.J. Mackie
Chief, Economic Section-Lawrence E. Butler
Commercial Attache-Donald G. Plants (Acting)
Consul-Robert O. Tatge
The US Embassy in Finland is at Itainen Puistotie 14 B, Helsinki 14
(tel. 171931). The public affairs section is located at Kaivokatu 10 A,
Helsinki 10 (tel. 176599).


TRAVEL NOTES:
Climate and clothing: Helsinki's winter climate is similar to Boston's;
summer temperatures rarely exceed +24 C (75 F). Northern and
parts of interior southern Finland sometimes experience Arctic
conditions in mid-winter. Buildings are well-heated. Bring warm
outdoor clothing during late autumn, winter, and early spring.
Sweaters and raincoats are recommended for other seasons.

Health: Public health standards are similar to those in the United
States.  Tapwater is potable. Medical facilities are good.
Telecommunications: Telephone and telegraph services are efficient
and available to most parts of Finland and the world. Helsinki is
seven time zones ahead of eastern standard time.

Transportation: Bus and taxi service is available in most cities as well
as tram and subway service in Helsinki. At least one US carrier
provides US-Finland flights 5 days a week. Finnair flies to New York
daily and offers flights to Los Angeles several days a week. Flights
to many European cities depart Helsinki daily. Finland's domestic air
network is one of the best in Europe. The country also has efficient
rail and long-distance bus service. Roads are well maintained; nearly
all major highways ,and most important secondary roads are paved.

Tourist attractions: With many islands and lakes, evergreen forests,
and granite outcroppings, Finland's countryside is striking. Many
tourists enjoy cruises on stately historic steamers that travel on
Finland's biggest lake, Saimaa. Lapland, with its flora and reindeer,
also is popular.


Available from the Superintendent of Documents, US
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402:
American University. Area Handbook for Finland. 1974.

US Department of Commerce. "Finland." Foreign Economic
Trends and Their Implications for the United States. International
Marketing Information Series: Published annually.


Political Parties (In order of respective seating placement)
Leftist Alliance  - 16
Social Democrats - 56
Rural Party - 8
Free Democrats  - 1
Center Party - 40
National Coalition Party - 53
Swedish People's Party - 13
Greens  - 4
Christian League - 5

Published by the United States Department of State --  Bureau of
Public Affairs  -- Office of  Public Communication --  Editorial Division
--  Washington, DC -- August 1990 -- Editor:  Juanita Adams
Department of State Publication 8262 -- Background Notes Series
-- This material is
in the public domain and may  be reprinted without permission;
citation of this source
is appreciated.

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, US Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC  20402.