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Nature in Finland
Trees and water are the most obvious features of Finland’s natural landscapes. Forests cover more than two-thirds of the land, and lakes and rivers account for almost another tenth.
Lynxes are so elusive that they are rarely seen in the wild in Finland, although their range covers almost the whole country.
A land of forests and lakes
But what gives Finnish scenery its own particular charm is the interplay between these two elements. Even the densest forests are interspersed with countless lakes, ponds and rivers; while even the largest lakes are dotted with tree-covered islands and promontories.
This pattern continues right to the coast, where it gives rise to one of the most labyrinthine archipelagos in the world. It has been reckoned that a total of some 95,000 islands lie around Finland’s coasts. Although most of these islands are humble skerries and windswept rocky islets, the largest – Åland – is 685 square kilometres in extent.
Finland has more than 56,000 lakes larger than a hectare. The largest of these, Lake Saimaa in south-eastern Finland, consists of a complex network of interconnected stretches of water.
The coastline, roughly measured, stretches for over a thousand kilometres; but accounting for all the intricacies of its peninsulas and inlets would increase this figure many times over. Indeed if islands are included as well, the total length of Finland’s seashores amounts to a staggering 40,000 kilometres.
With still more lakeshore to be added on – around 130,000 kilometres – this means that Finland has almost 33 metres of shoreline of one kind or another for every inhabitant, one of the highest figures in the world.
Finland is uniquely rich in another type of habitat, since about a third of the country is covered by bogs and fens of various kinds – although most of these peatlands are now forested, and over half of their total area has been drained to improve timber yields.
This abundance of wetland habitats is reflected in Finland’s flora and fauna. Many of Finland’s plants are indeed characteristic species of bogs, fens, waterside habitats or inland waters
Large numbers of water-birds and waders breed in Finland, including over 60% of the world populations of two species: the goldeneye, and the rare broad-billed sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus).
Lynxes are so elusive that they are rarely seen in the wild in Finland, although their range covers almost the whole country.
A land of forests and lakes
But what gives Finnish scenery its own particular charm is the interplay between these two elements. Even the densest forests are interspersed with countless lakes, ponds and rivers; while even the largest lakes are dotted with tree-covered islands and promontories.
This pattern continues right to the coast, where it gives rise to one of the most labyrinthine archipelagos in the world. It has been reckoned that a total of some 95,000 islands lie around Finland’s coasts. Although most of these islands are humble skerries and windswept rocky islets, the largest – Åland – is 685 square kilometres in extent.
Finland has more than 56,000 lakes larger than a hectare. The largest of these, Lake Saimaa in south-eastern Finland, consists of a complex network of interconnected stretches of water.
The coastline, roughly measured, stretches for over a thousand kilometres; but accounting for all the intricacies of its peninsulas and inlets would increase this figure many times over. Indeed if islands are included as well, the total length of Finland’s seashores amounts to a staggering 40,000 kilometres.
With still more lakeshore to be added on – around 130,000 kilometres – this means that Finland has almost 33 metres of shoreline of one kind or another for every inhabitant, one of the highest figures in the world.
Finland is uniquely rich in another type of habitat, since about a third of the country is covered by bogs and fens of various kinds – although most of these peatlands are now forested, and over half of their total area has been drained to improve timber yields.
This abundance of wetland habitats is reflected in Finland’s flora and fauna. Many of Finland’s plants are indeed characteristic species of bogs, fens, waterside habitats or inland waters
Large numbers of water-birds and waders breed in Finland, including over 60% of the world populations of two species: the goldeneye, and the rare broad-billed sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus).
Finland Tourism
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