Finland’s four seasons - a thousand new experiences
Finland has a clear Nordic identity, but offers the best of both East and West. Its unspoilt natural environment is the perfect
setting for all kinds of activity, whether you are seeking excitement or relaxation.
Finland has a vibrant cultural life, with a busy calendar of festivals and events to suit every taste.
Population
Inhabitants: 5.300.000.
Capital: Helsinki, population 590.000.
Population density: 17 people/km². 65% live in towns or urban areas, 35% in rural areas
1,035,000 people live in the Helsinki Metropolitan area consisting of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. Other major cities are Tampere, Turku, Oulu and Lahti.
Finland has a Sami population of 6500, of which 4000 live in Lapland (Inari, Enontekiö, Utsjoki and Southern Sodankylä municipalities).
Communications
Car holidays
Traffic in Finland is not very different from other parts of Europe. Roads are well maintained and generally tarmacked. Traffic signs are the same as in the neighbouring countries. Roads and towns are clearly signposted, and it is normally easy to find your way. Warning signs for elk and reindeer have been placed in those places where these animals are known to cross the road. There are plenty of elk and reindeer, and in Lapland the reindeer often walk along the roads, especially in summertime.
Outside urban areas speed limits vary between 60-100 km/h. In towns the limit is 30-60 km/h and on motorways 100-120 km/h. The general speed limit outside urban areas is 80 km/h.
All vehicles are required to keep their headlights on at all times and all passengers must wear a seat beat, also those sitting in the back seat. You should also remember to put a sign with your country code on the car.
More information about traffic, road works, distances and the routes can be found on the web site of the Finnish Road Administration.
Petrol stations
Petrol are not far in between in Finland, especially in the southern part of the country. Many have self-service facilities which take banknotes and credit cards.Most petrol stations also offer a range of other items and sometimes serve food. They normally also provide lavatories and a nursing room.
Public transports
Trains and buses are of a high standard in Finland. By train you can quickly reach all parts of the country, and buses depart frequently. A plane journey across the whole of Finland takes about 2 hours.
All transport companies offer special child and family discounts. There are also a variety of ticket packages, especially in summertime, which give you unlimited travelling during a certain time or round trips between specific towns.
Average temperature and seasons
As regards temperature, Finland is more favoured than most countries in the same latitudes. Consequently, the difference in temperature between Finland and other countries between 60° and 70° N ranges from 2-4° C in January and 12-14°C in July. The Great Lakes of America, for example, have exactly the same mean temperature for the coldest months as Finland does. In July southern Finland is as warm as England, Holland and Belgium.
Owing to the dry climate, it always feels warmer than the thermometer indicates around the year. During the summer there is less rain than in the countries mentioned. Southern Finland enjoys actual sunshine for more than half the period. At Midsummer the sun is about half way between the zenith and the horizon at noon, passing across southern Finland for 19-20 hours, but never setting for days on end in northern Finland.
Lake and sea temperatures: The water in the lakes is rather warm in summer because they are shallow and broken up. To some extent this also applies to the sea. Thus in July the temperature of the water in the larger lakes is from 18° to 20°C in southern Finland and from 16° to 18°C in the north, while the smaller lakes are even warmer. Around the inner islands and the lakes in southern Finland the water is as warm as on the northern coast of Spain, and around the outer islands and in the lakes of northern Finland the same as on the coasts of Cornwall, Kent and Holland.
Wind conditions at sea: The mean wind velocity in summer is about 12 knots (Beaufort 4) during the day and about 8-10 knots (Beaufort 3) at night. Winds stronger than 22 knots (Beaufort 6) occur in 5 per cent of the whole summer time. (For the sake of comparison, the corresponding frequency is to 7-11 per cent in the North Sea.) In autumn the frequency is close on 20 per cent.
Seasons in Finland
Spring: March-May
There are also many bookstores and map shops in bigger cities all around Europe, where you can buy a map of Finland.
Banks and post offices
Banks and post offices are usually open weekdays from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., some of them longer. Banks and currency exchange offices offer currency exchange services. You can withdraw euros using your credit card at automatic teller machines. The most common credit/charge cards are Access, American Express, Diner’s Club, Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa.
See also exchange rates.
Emergencies and medical services
Emergencies: Dial 112. Other emergency numbers and instructions can be found in telephone booths and directories, or ask the hotel porter.
Medical services: Medicines are sold at pharmacies (apteekki). Note that chemists (kemikaalio) only sell cosmetics. Some pharmacies have late opening hours. In Helsinki, the pharmacy at Mannerheimintie 96, tel. 4178 0300, fax 4178 0350, has 24-hour service and the ones in the city centre are open until midnight. All hospitals have doctors on duty round the clock. In emergencies patients should be directed to a health centre or hospital emergency unit. Otherwise patients are required to present a doctor’s referral. Generally also a written statement confirming that they will pay the hospital bill/health centre bill is required.
Before leaving on a journey, travellers should enquire of sickness insurance authorities in their own country whether that country has concluded a social security agreement with Finland that includes health care during a temporary stay and, if it has, what the procedure is for obtaining compensation.
If the traveller comes from a country with which Finland has a bilateral or multilateral agreement providing for urgent medical care during a temporary stay and he can prove his entitlement to treatment as required in the agreement, he will be liable for the same charges as persons resident in Finland. The relevant countries (on June 1, 2003) Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Estonia and Latvia.
Maps
Basic road and city maps are available in bookstores all over Finland. Sea and boating charts are for sale in the main ports, in most large bookshops and ship’s chandlers in Finland.
The following maps are available from Genimap Oy, the biggest company in map business in Finland:
ALL NAUTICAL CHARTS OF FINLAND, ROAD MAP OF FINLAND, GT ROAD ATLAS, CITY ATLAS, MOTORING ROAD MAP, GENERAL ROAD MAP, OUTDOOR MAPS, TOURING MAPS, TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS, IN-CAR NAVIGATION, MOBILE MAPS: If you have Benefon ESC! GPS+GSM phone you can load maps to your phone from Genimap.com. (English, Deutsch, Francais)
Sale of Maps and Charts:
Karttakeskus, Helsinki (Map Shop)
Genimap Corp., Map Shop Karttakeskus
Vuorikatu 14
FIN-00100, Finland
Phone: +358 201 340 580, Fax: +358 201 340 589
The shop is open on Mon-Fri from 10 to 18 (in wintertime 20.9.03 -> closed)
Pets
Cats and dogs must have valid vaccination certificates for rabies provided by a vet. No certificates are required for rabbits, rodents, turtles/tortoises and reptiles. Further information about bringing other animals into the country can be obtained from the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry’s department of veterinary care and food control.
Tel. +358 (0)9 160 3387
It may be worth checking with your hotel etc. if pets are allowed. Pets may be transported (on a leash, in a carry case or box) on public transport, but at restaurants, museums and other public places, pets are generally not allowed.
Mosquitoes
During the summer season there may be many mosquitoes in rural areas, especially in the north of Finland. In cities and there are almost no mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are not dangerous and do not carry diseases. You can protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing clothing that covers your skin and using mosquito repellent, which is available in shops and at kiosks.
Sauna
All over the world the sauna is known to be one of the best forms of relaxation. Nowadays saunas are found in almost every country but they are never quite the same as in Finland, where there are about 1.6 million saunas - approximately one for every three inhabitants. The sauna is a wood lined room with benches at different heights, containing a special sauna stove. On top of the heater there is a layer of heat-retaining stones. When water is thrown onto them a wave of löyly or steam is given off which starts the perspiration. To increase the perspiration a bunch of soft fragrant birch twigs can be used to lightly beat the body.
A good stove, however, is not enough. Air circulation and humidity must also be correct. For most people a temperature range of 80°-100°C (170°-212°F) measured at the bather’s head is best. The ventilation, too, must be good. The air in the hot room should change at least six times per hour. Research shows that sufficient humidity and moderate heat are much more healthy than hot, dry sauna air.
The ideal way to cool off is to go for a swim. Saunas in the countryside are often built close to water. In winter when lakes are frozen, avanto, a hole is sometimes made in the ice, through which the really keen take a dip in the water. In town a shower and a swim in a pool have to suffice. After a wash and a gradual cooling-off period comes a feeling of complete relaxation and well-being.
The Finnish Sauna
Finnish Sauna Society
Independent activities for the whole family
Excursions into nature
Finland’s forests, lakes and rivers present incomparable surroundings in which to relax and enjoy the fresh air. The everyman’s right allows you to camp, fish, hike, swim or sunbathe within reason. Remember, though, not to harm plants and animals, not to deface trees, damage property, or cause a disturbance (e.g. make a loud noise). Nature hikes should begin at the nature centres that are connected with the national parks and hiking areas. The nature centres can provide you with necessary information about the regional nature and available backpacking services as well as providing you an opportunity to view their interesting exhibitions.
For more information on the everyman’s right, see www.vyh.fi/eng
See also Hiking Pages.
Berries, mushrooms
You can pick wild berries and mushrooms quite freely, with the exception of cloudberries in parts of Lapland. Picking berries and mushrooms is also restricted in protected areas.
Fishing
Over 180,000 lakes, a long coastline and numerous rivers are at your disposal, even on short notice. With a few exceptions, no permit is required for basic angling with a hook and line. For more sophisticated fishing, you will need a permit, but obtaining one is very simple. You can find information on fishing opportunities and fishing guides at the nearest tourist information office or your own lodgings.
For more information on fishing licenses and fishing in Finland, please visit the Fishing Finland web site: www.ahven.net
Food and beverages
In Finland, as well as the local cuisine, you can enjoy food from around the world of every possible flavour and style. Everything from pizza to hamburgers and all sorts of specialities from different countries. There are plenty of places to stop and eat along the main roads, in towns and cities. Service stations have restaurants that are often open 24 hours. Jars of baby food are available in shops, at service stations and at kiosks. Lunch in a restaurant costs around € 8. Cheaper lunches are served at cafés and bars.
A can of beer costs 1 - 3 € depending on the size and label.