
Finland Geography
Finland Geography: A summary of information about Finland Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Finland: Geography
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates
64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total: 337,030 sq km land: 305,470 sq km water: 31,560 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries
total: 2,628 km border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline
1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 6 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)
Climate
cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain
mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources
timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver
Land use
arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 76% other: 16% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land
640 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards
NA
Environment - current issues
air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
Environment - international agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain