Country in Focus

Independence:
Finland gained independence from Russia on December 6, 1917. Before that, it was under Russian rule (1809-1917) and was previously part of Sweden for several centuries.

Government:
Finland is a parliamentary democracy and a republic. The country has a multi-party system and is a member of the European Union (since 1995). The current President is Sauli Niinistö, but notably, Alexander Stubb won the 2024 presidential election and will become the next president. However, since this is after my last knowledge update, I encourage you to verify this information.

The Finnish parliament (Eduskunta) has 200 members elected every four years. The Prime Minister is the head of government, while the President is the head of state with responsibilities primarily in foreign policy and military affairs.

Population:
Finland has approximately 5.5 million people, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. The majority of the population lives in the southern part of the country, particularly around the capital city Helsinki.

Land Area and Geography:
- Total area: 338,455 square kilometers (130,679 square miles)
- Known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" (actually has about 188,000 lakes)
- Forests cover about 75% of the land area
- Shares borders with Sweden (west), Norway (north), and Russia (east)
- Capital city: Helsinki

Natural Resources:
- Timber (primary resource)
- Copper
- Iron ore
- Zinc
- Silver
- Gold
- Nickel
- Chromite
- Fresh water resources
- Arable land

Natural Disasters:
Finland is one of the countries least affected by natural disasters due to its geographical location and climate. However, it can experience:
- Severe winter storms
- Spring floods from melting snow
- Forest fires (though relatively rare)
- Minor earthquakes (very rare and usually not destructive)

Notable Features:
1. Education: Known for its excellent education system, consistently ranking among the world's best
2. Quality of Life: Regularly rated as one of the happiest countries in the world
3. Climate: Has four distinct seasons; winters are long and dark, while summers feature the "Midnight Sun" in the north
4. Technology: Home to companies like Nokia and is a leader in telecommunications
5. Social Policy: Known for its comprehensive welfare state and social services

Culture:
- Official languages: Finnish and Swedish
- Strong traditions in design, architecture, and music
- Famous for sauna culture (there are over 3 million saunas in Finland)
- Strong emphasis on equality and environmental sustainability

Economy:
- Highly industrialized, free-market economy
- Major sectors include services, manufacturing, and refining
- Strong focus on technology and innovation
- Uses the Euro as currency (since 1999/2002)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BOOK REVIEW "The psychology of money"

Image
"The psychology of money"by Morgan Housel        The book is a captivating exploration of the complex relationship between our minds and money. Housel brings to limelight the psychological biases and behaviors that influence our financial decisions, offering insights that are both practical and profound. He discusses how our emotions, instincts, and past experiences shape our attitudes towards money, often leading to irrational choices and unexpected outcomes.      One key theme in the book is the importance of understanding the difference between being rich and being wealthy. Housel argues that true wealth is not just about having a large bank account, but rather about achieving financial security and freedom. He emphasizes the value of investing in experiences, relationships, and personal growth, rather than just accumulating material possessions.       Another highlight is Housel's exploration of the concept of risk and uncertainty in...
Read more

Stages all OAU International relations students can't deny

Image
Lawal Shereef  Being a student of International relations at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University is a flex on its own but it has some hidden behind the scenes feelings and headaches that comes with it but is usually ignored. Join us on this adventure to uncover them; When you searching for schools offering International relations before JAMB When you are finally admitted When you resume and everyone is hyping your course You in part 1 You after taking courses in the humanities/Faculty of Arts You wondering how OAU exams will be for the first time READ MORE!!;  10 ways to identify an OAU International relations student Your friends at home when you start bragging about OAU and you being a Diplomat in the making in the only public Uni that offers pure IR in Nigeria You when your friend hails you but you just calculated your GP After facing the Almighty Social Scienc...
Read more

10 Ways to identify an OAU International relations student

 By Lawal Shereef The noble department of International relations in OAU has long been a hotbed for future diplomats in Nigeria as it is one of the few departments which offers pure International relations in the country. The department which produces Graduates trained to take on 'internationally' designated posts/jobs can boast of producing countless numbers of now-successful  men/women in their respective fields. Meanwhile,successive sets of students have evolved an image for the department,setting trends which are now consistent with that of the discipline itself.  We will be discussing these tendencies which can be easily attested to by both past and current students of the department; They ' hate ' mathematics   This might be the most glaring trait of an OAU International relations student. IR students are OAU-wide renowned for their dislike for Social sciences courses,SSC 105 & 106. This can be noticed in their deliberate absence in 'SSC' classes,their...
Read more