With a total area of 338,000 square kilometres,
Finland is the fifth largest country in Europe and is also
one of the most northerly countries in the world: one quarter
of its total area lies north of the Arctic Circle.
Travel Insurance for Finland:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Finland
The distance
between the northernmost and southernmost points is 1,160 km.
Relative to its size, Finland has more lakes than any other
country.
The country has land frontiers with Russia (1,269 km), Norway (716km) and Sweden (586km), and a coastline of approximately
1,100km.
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. Also, Finnish congress, conference and incentive travel
services are acclaimed throughout the world.
Weather
One notable effect of Finland's northerly position on the globe
is that the four seasons of the year are clearly distinct from
one another. The climate is marked by cold winters and warm
summers. The mean annual temperature in the capital, Helsinki,
is 5.3 degrees Celsius. The highest daytime temperature in
southern Finland during the summer occasionally rises to almost
30 degrees. During the winter months, particularly in January
and February, temperatures of minus 20 Celsius are not uncommon.
In the far north, beyond the Arctic Circle, the sun does not
set for about 73 days, producing the white nights of summer.
In the same region, during the winter period, the sun remains
below the horizon for 51 days, creating the polar night known
in Finnish as kaamos.
Finland
driving guide
Traffic drives on the right in Finland and most traffic signs
are similar to those used elsewhere on the European continent.
Every foreigner bringing a motor vehicle into Finland must have
a driving licence and a clearly visible sign attached to the
vehicle showing the nationality. An international driving licence
is not required. To facilitate proceedings in case of an accident,
it is recommended motorists carry with them the international
insurance card ("green card") although it is not officially required
of motorists from the U.K. and Ireland.
The public road network is very extensive and of a high standard.
Only some minor public or private roads remain unpaved, mostly
in the more remote parts of the country. All public roads are
kept open for traffic 24 hours a day 365 days a year, despite
sometimes severe winter conditions. Seasonal weight restrictions
may be placed on some roads during spring thaw, but these do
not normally affect private cars. Winter tyres (usually marked
M+S, M&S or MS) are compulsory, even in visitors' cars, from
December to February. Studded tyres may be used from 1 November
until the first Sunday after Easter, and at other times when
justified by weather conditions.
Seat belt use is compulsory both front and back. Driving under
the influence of alcohol or drugs is forbidden. There is an exact
limit of 5 per mille alcohol in the blood. Infringement of this
rule nearly always means penalty in the form of a fine or imprisonment.
Warning signs of elk crossing the road should be taken seriously
as elk abound and often come to the roads. Collisions involving
these very large animals are often serious.
Petrol is readily available all over the country, but many stations
are not only self-service, but unmanned, meaning credit card
payment is necessary. The price of petrol is not much different
of that in the U.K. |
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