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Finland
Located in Northern Europe bordered by Sweden, Norway and Russia, Finland is the eighth
largest and most sparsely populated country in the European Union. With more than 187,000
lakes, approximately 75% of Finland is covered by coniferous taiga forests. These forests
are home to brown bear (the national emblem), gray wolf, elk, arctic red fox, red squirrels,
wolverines and hares. Other exotic species of wildlife include the golden eagle, arctic fox
and the endangered Saimaa ringed seal.
Sauna:
The Sauna holds a significant place in Finnish culture, to the extent that
friendships are secured and business deals are concluded within. We have included
sauna visits in our trips;
please click here for notes on sauna etiquette >
Capital - Helsinki
Population - 5,250,275
Temperature - Winter -20C – Summer +28C
Time Zone - GMT +2
Currency - Euro
Telephone - +358
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Nocturne
by Eino Leino
The corncrake´s song rings in my ears,
above the rye full moon sails;
this summer night all sorrow clears
and woodsmoke drifts along the dales.
I do not laugh or grieve, or sigh;
the forest’s darkness breathes nearby,
the red of clouds where days sinks deep,
the blue of windy hills asleep,
the twinflower’s scent, the water’s shade-
of these my heart’s own song is made.
You, girl as sweet as summer hay,
my heart’s great peace, I sing to you.
O my devotion, tune and play
a wreath of oak twigs, green and new.
I have stopped chasing Jack-o’-Lantern,
I hold gold from the Demon’s mountain;
around me life tightens its ring,
time stops, the vane has ceased to swing;
the road before me through the gloom
is leading to the unknown room.
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