Nature in Finland

Finland is all about nature. Here are some facts about nature in Finland to impress your friends. 

Photos: Vastavalo, Markku Wiik, Toivo G. Uttialhen, Esko Parssinen

FI-3527592, sent by Marita.

* In midwinter most of Finland is usually covered by snow and ice. In February, the coldest month, average temperatures are around -7ºC in the south and -13ºC in the north;

* In Southern and Central Finland the summers are warm enough for people to bathe in lakes and also often along the shores of the Baltic Sea:

* Key elements in Finland’s varied landscapes include forests and open waters, often in a scenic interplay;

* Successive ice ages and the cold climate have led to the formation of a wide range of peatland and wetland habitats around Finland;

* All regions of Finland have lakes, but the true Lake District is in the east, where in many areas water covers more than a third of the land;

* Semi-domesticated reindeer roam freely through the forests and fells, foraging for lichens and other food;

* In mid September Lapland’s vegetation turns spectacular colours during a popular hiking season known to Finns as ruska;

* Towns and cities are mainly small and low-rise, with no skyscrapers. In the winter the locals love to get out onto the frozen sea;

* Holiday homes are almost always located by a lake or the sea or on an island. Even people who don’t have their own second home can rent such cottages for a week or longer;

* In a good year up to 50 million kilos of wild berries are picked in forests – about 10 kg per person. The most commonly picked berries are bilberries, lingonberries and cloudberries. Mushrooms are also picked widely;

* Finland’s traditional right to roam the land allows everyone to camp out temporarily in the great outdoors. To camp for longer periods or light a fire, the landowner’s permission is needed. - in: https://finland.fi/life-society/nature-in-finland/