Finland has topped world happiness rankings for years, yet most of us know very little about it. Our documentary focused especially on the pioneering role of women in Finnish society; in this article we’ve gathered that story together with the country’s other surprising sides in 13 points. You can see Finland’s most beautiful places in the videos on our Finland page.
Quiet revolutions
1. The first European country to give women full political rights. In 1906, Finland became the first country in Europe to grant women both the right to vote and the right to run for office. A year later, in the 1907 elections, women entered parliament, a world first.
2. Women’s participation in the workforce is high. Finland is among the countries with high female workforce participation, and it has been led several times by women presidents and prime ministers.
3. The baby box tradition. Since 1938, the state has offered expectant mothers a “maternity package” full of baby clothes and care supplies. The box itself can double as the baby’s first bed.
Land of saunas and lakes
4. Millions of saunas. The country of about 5.5 million people is estimated to have millions of saunas, roughly one for nearly every household. Finnish sauna culture is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
For travelers: People usually go into the sauna naked, with separate sessions for men and women; in mixed public saunas, swimsuits are worn. Check the rules at the entrance.
5. Land of a thousand lakes. Finland is estimated to have about 188,000 lakes. While the origin of the country’s Finnish name, “Suomi,” is debated, lakes are an inseparable part of Finnish identity.
6. Forests cover most of the country. Finland is one of the most heavily forested countries in Europe.
7. Everyman’s right. Thanks to the principle of “jokamiehenoikeus,” you can roam freely in nature and, following the rules, pick wild berries and mushrooms.
Language and culture
8. Finnish is unlike most European languages. Finnish belongs not to the Indo-European family but to the Uralic family; it’s closely related to Estonian and distantly related to Hungarian.
9. Silence is a form of communication. It’s often said that Finns aren’t bothered by long silences and dislike unnecessary small talk. That’s a sign of respect, not coldness.
10. The most heavy metal bands per capita. Finland is often cited as the country with the most heavy metal bands relative to its population.
Everyday curiosities
11. The Wife Carrying World Championships. In the world championship held every summer in the town of Sonkajärvi, contestants carry their partners on their backs through an obstacle course.
12. The creator of Linux is Finnish. Linux, the world’s most widely used open-source operating system kernel, was started by Linus Torvalds while he was a student at the University of Helsinki.
13. Santa’s official address. Rovaniemi in Lapland draws huge numbers of visitors every year with its Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle.
For travelers: The best time to see the northern lights is from late September to late March; in summer, the sun never sets in Lapland.
Final word
Finland’s strength lies not in showiness but in a quiet, stable social order. When you visit, you’ll feel that calm in the forests, on the lakeshores and in the warmth of a sauna.
Frequently asked questions
How can I experience Finnish sauna culture?
Modern public saunas in Helsinki and lakeside summer cottages (mökki) are the easiest options. Jumping into a lake or rolling in the snow after the sauna is part of the tradition.
Where is Santa Claus Village?
It’s in Rovaniemi, Lapland, right on the Arctic Circle, and you can visit year-round.
