The
Republic of Finland is one of the most northern countries with 25% of the area above the Arctic Circle. Most Fins live in the
southern part where temperatures are a bit moderated by the Gulfstream.The north is mainly tundra,
the south is all about lakes and
timber.
Hunter-gatherers arrived 11000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, hunting reindeer where the glaciers
receded and tundra appeared.
Later agriculture was adopted in the south while the Sami in Lapland to the north continued
a more pastoral lifestyle based on loosely herding reindeer.
In the 18th century Sweden and Russia fought several wars but in 1809 Finland became part of the
Russian Empire.
Following the 1917 Russian Revolution Finland declared independence. After a short but bloody civil war the
country became a presidential republic in 1918.
Finland is a member of the EU and the Eurozone. Officially it follows a
neutral policy but it maintains cozy relations with NATO, much to the chagrin of Russia.
Despite the recent recession
Finland maintains a high standard of living.