inuation War, out of Northern Finland, give away a part of Karelia and pay heavy reparations. Nevertheless, Finland could keep the most precious thing of all - its independence.
             After the wars a period of extensive reconstruction works and economic development began. In 1952 Helsinki hosted the Olympic Games. As a result of the neutrality policy, the European Security Council met in Helsinki in 1975. The 1980s witnessed a period of economic well-being, which was followed by a recession at the beginning of the 1990s.
             Finland has four clearly distinguishable seasons.
             The summer lasts for 3 months, from June to August. On a warm day the temperature can be 25-30 C. The average summer temperature is 18 C. There may be quite a lot of mosquitos in June and July, but nowadays there are effective deterrents to keep them away.
             The colourful autumn season attracts many tourists.
             The first snow usually falls in December and the heaviest snowfall usually occurs in March. Central and Northern Finland have excellent facilities for winter sports like skiing, downhill skiing and motor sledging.
             In the summertime Lapland is fascinating because of the midnight sun which never sets. In the same way, in winter there is a period of darkness with no sunlight
             The Åland Islands are situated between Finland and Sweden. The self-government was appointed in the 1922 Geneva Convention of the League of Nations. Finland is committed to following the convention which guarantees the Åland Province`s right to self-government, language, culture and local customs. The self-governing Åland has the power of legislation and management of internal affairs. The people are represented by the Provincial Government of Åland. The province has been a demilitarized area since the Peace of Paris of 1856, following the attack on the Bomarsund fortification and its destruction in the Crimean War. The demilitarization means that no military troops may be brought ...