Finland, Nordic country in Northern Europe.
Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe with more than 180,000 lakes, expansive coniferous forests, and numerous islands along the Baltic Sea coastline. The landscape ranges from Arctic tundra in the north to temperate coastal areas in the south, with roughly 70 percent of the territory consisting of forested land.
After centuries under Swedish rule, the territory became an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire in 1809. Independence was declared on December 6, 1917, following the Russian Revolution, leading to a brief civil war in 1918.
Society here maintains a close connection to nature through hiking, foraging for berries and mushrooms, and the traditional right of public access allowing free passage through forests along lakeshores. Sauna culture remains central to social life, with about 3 million saunas found throughout the territory.
The country maintains an extensive public transport network of trains, buses, and ferries connecting urban and rural areas. Best travel times vary by activity: summer months for outdoor pursuits, winter for snow sports and northern lights viewing.
During winter months above the Arctic Circle, the sun disappears entirely for several weeks, while summer brings continuous daylight for 24 hours. The country holds the highest per capita concentration of heavy metal bands globally and hosts numerous music festivals dedicated to this genre annually.
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