Finland
Finland (Suomi in Finnish) is the seventh largest country in Europe in area (338,000 sq km) with a population of 5.3 million. Population density is 16 persons per sq km. Finns account for 92% of the population, Swedes for 6%. Other ethnic groups include Russians, Saami and Tatars. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the county's largest denomination; about 1% of the population are Orthodox believers.
Finland is a unitary state (the mainly Swedish-populated Aland Islands enjoy autonomy). The capital Helsinki has a population of about 500,000. Finland is a parliamentary republic with a strong presidency. The country declared independence on December 6, 1917. From 1809, it enjoyed broad autonomy as the Grand Duchy of Finland in the Russian Empire.
The chief executive is the president elected in a general poll for a term of six years with a possible second term. In January 2006 Tarja Halonen, the first woman president in Finland's history, a member of the Social Democratic Party, was elected for a second term. She has been president since March 2000.
The parliament is unicameral, consisting of 200 deputies elected once every four years. It is the legislative branch of power that approves the candidacy of the prime minister. As a result of March 2007 elections eight parties have seats in parliament.
The government is formed based on the results of parliamentary elections through negotiations among the parties. As a rule, the prime minister is the chairman of the winning political party. The present government, in addition to the prime minister, includesf 19 ministers distributed among 12 ministries.
Finland is 15th in the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) in terms of per capita GDP (about $31,000). It is a net exporter of capital and has an advanced innovation development system. Its economy has been recognized as one of the most competitive in the world. Finland pursues a vigorous scientific and technical policy spending over 3.3% of its GDP on research and development. The country actively works at developing new forms of innovative products and services.
Over 60% of the GDP is generated in service, 28% in industry and less than 4% in agriculture and forestry industries. Finland's industrial production is based in machine and instrument manufacturing, metal-working (50% of all output) as well as the pulp and paper industry (18%). Finland specialises in the production of telecommunications technology, paper and cardboard, equipment for the pulp and paper industry, hoisting and transport machines, specialised steel commodities and non-ferrous metals.
Finland's foreign and security policies are based on the principle of non-participation in military alliances. In its bilateral ties, Finland emphasises building relations with its neighbour countries in Northern Europe and the Baltics as well as with Russia.
Finland is a member of the UN, most universal international organisations and an ardent champion of human rights. Finland has been a member of the European Union since 1995. It works actively for the cohesion of that organisation, for the equality of its members and for acting with one voice in relations with third countries, including Russia.
