Finland is one of the northernmost countries in the world and is located between the 60th and 70th parallel. With its 5.5 million inhabitants and a land area of 338,472 sq. km (Germany 357,588 sq. km), Finland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe; of this, 35,524 sq. km are inland waters. Most of the population lives in the capital Helsinki and in the major cities of Espoo, Vantaa, Turku and Tampere.
The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, with 88.7% of the population Finnish-speaking and 5.3% Swedish-speaking. Finland was the first country in Europe to introduce women’s suffrage in 1906, making it the first country in the world to introduce universal and equal suffrage for all women. Politically, Finland fell into dependency with Sweden and Russia in the past. The October Revolution of 1917 enabled Finland to break away from Russia from 6.12.1917. Since 1995 Finland is a member of the EU.
Finland is also known worldwide for its design (furniture, porcelain, glass, textiles, etc.) and architecture (Aalto, Revell, Saarinen, Engel, Suomalainen, etc.). Finland has also made a name for itself with some sportsmen: Paavo Nurmi, Mika Häkinen, Lasse Viren and several greats in winter sports.
German-Finnish relations at the state level can be described as excellent for over 100 years; cultural, scientific and economic relations have existed for centuries. For Finland, Germany is the largest trading partner and has been since 2014. Good relations have existed between Finland and Germany for decades. This is also demonstrated by the two private friendship societies Suomi-S aksa Yhdistysten Liitto ry (SSYL) with about 4,000 members in Finland and the Deutsch-Finnische Gesellschaft e.V. with nearly 8,000 members in Germany.
There are also over 60 municipal partnerships between the two countries. In 2023, the Finns were once again voted the nation with the happiest people. This is certainly due to the overwhelming nature, the lakes, the sauna, the vast forests and the enchanting Lapland in winter with its many winter sports opportunities and the Aurora Borealis, the northern lights. There are already some club partnerships between German and Finnish Rotary clubs, and I am happy to offer my support in making the first contact.
Districts in Finland
District 1385 – 61 clubs – approx. 1677 members (extends approximately from Kristiinankaupunki south of Vaasa east through Seinäjoki, Alajärvi, Pyhäjärvi, to Kuhmo, to the very north of Finland).
District 1390 – 51 clubs – approx. 1657 members (central to southern Finland).
District 1410 – 56 clubs – ca. 1832 members + 2 clubs Aland Islands , ca. 124 members (southwest part of Finland and Aland Islands).
District 1420 – 53 clubs – approx. 1974 members + 20 clubs in Estonia – approx. 591 members, Southern Finland around Helsinki and Estonia).
District 1430 – 37 clubs – approx. 1048 members (Southern/Eastern Finland/Karelia).
Transport connections Germany (D) - Finland (FIN)
By plane:
LUFTHANSA:
Munich/Frankfurt – Helsinki approx. 2 hrs. 30 min. direct.
Feeder flights Berlin/Düsseldorf/Stuttgart via. Munich, Hamburg via. Frankfurt (approx. 4 to 7 hrs.).
Other airlines with intermediate stops from Germany:
Air Baltic, SAS, KLM, Eurowings, Ryan Air, Austrian Airlines, Air France, etc.
FINNAIR:
Munich/Frankfurt/Berlin/Hamburg/Düsseldorf/Stuttgart – Helsinki approx. 1 hr. 50 min. to 2 hrs: 30 min.
By ship:
Travemünde – Helsinki, direct, approx. 30 hrs > Finnlines shipping company.
By land and ship:
Puttgarden – Rödby, Helsingör – Helsingborg (alternative : Öresund bridge), Stockholm – Helsinki/Turku or Kapellskär – Naantali (Turku) > shipping companies Viking Lines, Tallink/Silja, Finnlines.
Domestic flights Finland:
from Helsinki/Vantaa > FINNAIR :
Ivalo, Kittilä, Kuusamo, Rovaniemi, Kemi, Kokkola-Pietarsaari, Kajaani, Kuopio, Vaasa, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Joensuu, Tampere, Turku, Mariehamn (Alands islands).
Finnish State Railways:
Very well developed network, viewable via www.vr.fi > English > EN