COUNTRY PROFILE

Finland has spent most of the past 900 years under the domination of its neighbors. Seven hundred years of Swedish rule were followed by a further century of Russian control. Independence in 1917 failed to stem the demands of Finland's giant eastern neighbor with the last revival during the 1960s. There is a steady but slow increase in the number of active Christians. Yet Finland has a serious alcohol problem, with all the social tragedies this implies, and secularization and non-Christian religiosity are on the increase. Both the Lutheran and Orthodox churches are folk churches with considerable autonomy yet close ties with the government. 

OVERVIEW

World War II brought bombing and invasion by Soviet troops, heavy casualties, territorial concessions and the obligation to make extensive war reparation payments. Only the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s allowed Finland to step out of its shadow. Finland sees its interests best represented within the European Union. It applied for membership, soon after its friendship treaty with the Soviet Union became void in 1991, becoming a full member in 1995. Unlike their Swedish and Danish neighbors, Finns appear to be enthusiastic about the European project. Finland is the only Scandinavian EU member to adopt the "euro" as the national currency. Finland has been nominated the least corrupt country in the world. It has developed into a modern, highly industrialized economy, with a substantial telecommunications sector. Trade with Russia plummeted in the early 1990s, contributing to recession and high unemployment. Recovery has been slow. Elections in 1999 returned a five-party coalition under the social democrats. Finland's consensus politics makes for stable, if slow-moving government. 

FACTS

Population: 5 million
Capital: Helsinki
Major languages: Finnish, Swedish
Major religion: Christianity
Form of government: Parliamentary democracy
Monetary unit: 1 markka = 100 pennia
Main exports: Machinery and electronics, paper and paper products, chemicals
Internet domain: .fi
Time zone: GMT+2
International dialing code: +358

LEADERS


President:
Tarja Halonen 

Prime Minister: Paavo Lipponen

Paavo Lipponen has led two "rainbow coalition" governments since 1995. He believes the cooperation between social democrats, conservatives, leftists and greens was essential to tackle Finland's severe economic problems. 
Lipponen is a committed European, who sees the adoption of the euro as part of Finland's move towards greater fiscal stability. Foreign Minister: Erkki Tuomioja; Interior Minister: Ville Itaelae; Finance Minister: Sauli Niinistoe. 

MEDIA

Finnish law gives every citizen the right to publish printed material, and guarantees the right of reply. Newspapers are privately owned and reflect a broad spectrum of political views. The state broadcasting system provides national radio and television programming. Private broadcasting is also available, particularly at a regional and local level. The government is also responsible for licensing and regulating cable operators. 

     Television
     Yleisradio Oy (YLE) - Finnish TV, state-owned, broadcasting several channels in Finnish and Swedish 
     MTV (Mainostelevisio, `Advertising Television') - commercial 

     Radio
     Yleisradio Oy (YLE) - state-owned, operating several channels in Finnish, Swedish and Sa'mi (Lappish)
     Radio Finland - broadcasting externally in Finnish, Swedish, English, German, French, 
     Russian and Classical Latin Classic FM - commercial Kiss FM - commercial Radio Nova - commercial 

     News Agency
     STT News Agency 

OBSTACLES TO MINISTRY

• Influx of refugees and asylum-seekers
• Lowest unemployment in nation's history

SPIRITUAL POWER POINTS

• Lutheran Church, which acts as an umbrella for other ministries
• Role in the European Union, both financially and spiritually
  
  

Special thanks to Patrick Johnstone's, "Operation World" publisher, ISBN# 0-310-40031-7; and country profiles by BBC