Finland is the country in the EU that is farthest north and is one of the most sporadically-populated countries in the EU. The country borders to Sweden in the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east. As of 2012, the most important sectors of Finland’s economy were public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (21.9 %), industry (19.1 %) and wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (17.5 %). Export and import: Sweden, Russia and Germany.
Capital
Helsinki
Geographical size
338 434.7 km2
Population
5 401 267 (2012)
Population as % of total EU population
1.1 % (2012)
GDP
€ 192.35 billion (2012)
Official EU language(s)
Finnish, Swedish
Political system
Parliamentary republic
EU member country since
1 January 1995
Seats in the European Parliament
13
Currency
Eurozone member since 1 January 1999
Schengen area member
Yes, Schengen Area member since 19 December 1996.
Presidency of the Council
Finland has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, in 1999 and 2006. The next time will be in 2020