About Finland

Finland in Figures

Finland’s population is 5.2 million. The country covers an area 338,000 square kilometers. There are two official languages: 92,1 % of the population speaks Finnish and 5,6 % Swedish as their native language. Russian, Lappish and other languages is spoken by 2,28 % of the population.

Finland is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional republic. Finland declared her independence from Russia on December 6, 1917.

The president of the Republic, Ms. Tarja Halonen was elected for a six-year term on February 2000. The parliament, comprising 200 members, is elected by universal suffrage for a period of four years. Following the parliamentary elections held in 2003, the seats of the parties are distributed as follows: Center Party 55, Social Democratic Party 53, National Coalition Party 40, Left Alliance 19, Swedish People’s party 8, Green League 14, Christian League 7 and others 4.

The present government is formed of the Center Party (8 cabinet ministers), the Social Democratic Party (8 cabinet ministers) and the Swedish People’s Party (2 cabinet ministers). Mr. Matti Vanhanen, Prime Minister, represents the Center Party.

Finland has been a member of GATT/WTO since 1950, UN since 1955, OECD since 1969 and the European Council since 1989. Finland became and associated member of EFTA in 1961 and a full-fledged member in 1986. Finland made a free trade agreement with EEC in 1974. On January 1, 1995, Finland became a member of the European Union.

• Finland’s GDP (160 Kb) - To read this article you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

• Finland’s Exports and Imports by end use of goods (160 Kb) - To read this article you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

• Trade between Australia and Finland (180 Kb) - To read this article you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.