Finland is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe between Sweden and Russia. It has over 187,000 lakes and a varied landscape from coastal areas to forests. Finland has four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and mild summers. The economy relies on industries like forestry, technology, and electronics. Socially, Finns value personal space and independence, and the population density is low. Education is highly valued, with a comprehensive school system followed by high school, vocational school, or university. Work culture emphasizes flexibility, punctuality, and equality between employers and employees.

1. LIFE IN FINLAND … GENERAL

2. FINLAND IN GENERAL GEOGRAPHICAL CLIMATIC ECONOMICAL SOCIAL FINNISH FAMILY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WORKING LIFE

3. GEOGRAPHICAL POINT OF VIEW Nordic country Area 338 419,31 km² 1160 km from south to north 540 km from west to east Haltitunturi 1 324 m 5,3 mill. inhabitant Lakes 187 888

4. CLIMATIC POINT OF VIEW 4 SEASONS MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE +25 + 30 (+35,5) MINIMUM TEMPERATURE –25 –40 (-51) AVERAGE TEMPERATURE +5,5 (-2) DARKNESS, COLD, WINDY, RAINY MIDSUMMER – WITHOUT NIGHT People are unhappy, depressed, psychical problems, many suicides

5. ECONOMICAL POINT OF VIEW AGRICULTURE 3,3 % SERVICE SECTOR 66,5 % INDUSTRY 30,2 %: wood (paper), forestry, metal, technology, IT, electronic Nokia 65 000 employees Stora Enso (biggest paper manufacture in the world) UPM-Kymmene , Metsäliitto Neste Oil Kone – lifts, elevators Wärtsilä Finnair

6. SOCIAL POINT OF VIEW ISOLATED AREA POPULATIN DENSITY 1/17 KM2 Finns like personal space/time (distance 1 – 2 m) URALIC LANGUAGE NOT VERY TALKATIVE VERY POOR BODY LANGUAGE QUIET TEMPERAMENT ALCOLHOLISM IMMIGRANTS 2,7 %: Finns 97,3 %, Russians 0,51 %, Estonians 0,42 %, Swedes 0,16 %

7. FINNISH FAMILY MOTHER + FATHER + 2 CHILDREN + DOG divorced 27,6 % Maternity leave max 3 years Mothers like working Child care Elderly homes

8. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM PRESCHOOL 6 – 7 YEARS (1 y) COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL 1 – 9 classes HIGH SCHOOL/VOCATIONAL SCHOOL UNIVESTITY/POLYTECHNIC LIFE LONG LEARNING

9. WORKING LIFE work is most important (to have work) flexible work time (all time if need) very important to be on right time in place equality between employer and employees unemployment 7,6 % (28.2.2009) Bully in work place: psychological problems