Country Information

The Republic of Finland is a parliamentary democracy, where the President is the head of the state and the Government is the decision-making body for governmental and administrative matters. The legislative power lies with the single-chamber Parliament, which is elected every fourth year. The President is elected by direct popular vote every six years. The government administers the country together with the president. Finland has now 336 Municipal Councils. The Province of Åland holds autonomous status.

Finland extends over an area of 338 000 km2 of which 68 % is forest and 10 % is lakes. The total population is 5.4 million. The Greater Helsinki area, with a population about 1 million, includes the cities of Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa.