10 things you never knew about FINLAND

Finland has only been independent since 1918

THE Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, whose music such as the suites Karelia and Finlandia helped establish Finland's national identity, was born 150 years ago today on December 8, 1865.

 

1. Since 2011, December 8 has been a flag day in Finland known as "The Day Of Finnish Music".

2. Finland has only been independent since 1918. Before that, Sweden and Russia took turns in owning it.

3. Finns drink more coffee per head of population than any other country.

Since 2011, December 8 has been a flag day in Finland known as "The Day Of Finnish Music"

 

4. With only 41 people per square mile, Finland is the most sparsely inhabited country in the EU.

5. The address of the Santa Claus Post Office is Santa Claus Village, FIN-96930, Arctic Circle.

6. There are 179,584 islands within the territory of Finland. No other country has as many.

Finland are one of the two nations that have earned medals at every Olympic Games

7. There are 187,888 lakes larger than 500 square metres in Finland. That's a record too.

8. Finland and Sweden are the only nations that have earned medals at every Olympic Games (including both summer and winter) since 1908.

Traffic fines in Finland are based on the driver's income as well as severity of the offence

 9. Traffic fines in Finland are based on the driver's income as well as the severity of the offence.

10. In 1936 an asteroid was discovered by Finnish astronomer Yrjö Väisälä. It was given the name 1405 Sibelius.