FINLAND IS THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY ON EARTH
FINLAND IS THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY ON EARTH
The Republic of Finland is the happiest country on earth (for six consecutive years). It is a Nordic country in Northern Europe and one of the northernmost countries in the world. Finland borders Sweden, Russia, and Norway and shares a maritime border with Estonia. Its capital is Helsinki, and its population is approximately 5.6 million. Finland’s land mass continues to grow by about 7 km yearly because of the post-glacial rebound effects of the ice age. Additionally, thick woodlands cover two-thirds of its land mass, thus making it the most densely forested country in Europe. Finland is a developed, safe, peaceful, picturesque, but expensive country. Read on to find out what it is like to travel to Finland, the happiest country on earth.
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HOW & WHY FINLAND IS THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY ON EARTH?
Finland is the happiest country on earth because it came out on top of the World Happiness Survey. Here is how they formulate it. The ranking for national happiness centers around a Cantril ladder survey, implemented worldwide by the polling company Gallup, Inc. They do this via samples from respondents they asked nationwide to rank their “best lives” based on the ladder from 0 to 10 (Picture a ladder numbered 1 to 10, with 1 being the worst living and 10 the best living possible. Finland is at 10).
As a result, according to the World Happiness Survey, Finland is the happiest country on earth, with Denmark in second place. Why did Finland rank so high? Because of its government’s foresight and planning for the betterment of its people. Therefore, the government ensures a secure foundation, a fulfilling life, and a promising future for its citizens.
This provides economic and social advantages, such as excellent security, free healthcare, healthy life expectancy, high social support and services, freedom to make decisions, and minimal corruption. Another big factor is lower income inequality (the difference between the highest and lowest paid). All these factors contribute to happier people, and as such, a stable, robust economy equates to happier Finns…or so it seems?!
ENTRY & EXIT FROM HELSINKI, FINLAND
Entry and exit from Helsinki Vantaa International Airport were a breeze. It was one of the more hassle-free airports I encountered in Europe, and I found the airport to be rather huge (it was a long tiring trek to the gates), but well-organised. Everyone at this airport was quite pleasant. Finland TSA screeners were some of the least-paranoid and sensible ones I have seen throughout my travels. They allowed passengers, including myself, to pass with our bottled water, and there was no need to take out laptops, etc., out of our baggage.
Sometimes I do not understand the logic in some airports where travellers who are drinking bottled water, must dump it before being screened. There is no logical sense in it. It cannot be that travellers are trying to finish drinking something other than water. What a waste of money! Any observant officer can clearly see its water. Maybe they are simply promoting water sales at all airports. Who knows!?
Finland is the Happiest Country on Earth Cont...
TRANSPORT OPTIONS TO/FROM DOWNTOWN HELSINKI
Transport to and from the airport is expensive. The train is the cheapest, fastest, and most logical option, and costs only 4.10 Euros. It is easily accessible because it is just an elevator ride away when exiting or returning to the airport. (Remember to validate the ticket before getting on the train, and it also expires after 90 minutes). There are elevators and escalators directly from the terminals in the airport to/from the train stations. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes to/from the city center.
Another option is the bus. Route 600, takes about 45 minutes to the city center and costs the same as the train. Taxis are most convenient for those with lots of luggage or whose accommodation is difficult to access by public transport. The taxis with airport agreements are located outside the arrival hall from lanes 1 to 3 and cost an average of 45.00 – 50.00 Euros. Other taxis, Uber (cost avg. 35.00 Euros), etc., are in lane 4.
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ABOUT THE CITY OF HELSINKI
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is often referred to as “the white city of the north” because they constructed most of the buildings from white granite. Helsinki is the primary seaport and industrial city in Finland. It is also one of the greenest cities in Europe, and the authorities have set out on a project to make it even greener and more eco-friendly.
The city is modern, safe, clean, and overflowing with magnificent and unique architecture (both contemporary and historical), restaurants, pubs, and boutiques. However, most prominently and noticeable are the large concentration of parks, or as I saw them, mini forests amongst buildings because of the height of the trees. The city is all encompassed by inlets, bays, seas, forests, and small islands. Finland has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites but only one in Helsinki (Sveaborg or Suomenlinna Fortress).
Finland is the Happiest Country on Earth Cont...
Finland is a vibrant city and the cultural capital of Finland, yet laid-back, just like the locals. The Christmas Market I found was a bit lackluster, and the nightlife was low-key (just how I like it). Nonetheless, those wanting hyped-up nightlife should visit during the summer. I am assuming it will be livelier.
Of all cities I visited during my October 2022 – January 2023 trip, Helsinki and Tallinn were the coldest and also snow-covered. All others were cold but snow-less. The temperature ranged from zero to – 9 minus degrees Celsius, with heaps of snow. By the second day in Helsinki, I invested in a souvenir flask and a small bottle of Finlandia Vodka (and I am not a drinker) for added heat during my sightseeing, haha. It was that cold!
I remember a couple of days, Helsinki had almost hurricane winds mixed with snow that nearly toppled me over on the street. That was the first time I experienced such a thing and had to stay put the entire day. Overall, Helsinki is a lovely city. Had it been less expensive, it would have been perfect.
Additional Information and Tips about Finland
- The languages spoken – Finnish and Swedish (official languages) Romani, Sami, and English.
- Official currency – Euro.
- Finland, called the land of the Lakes, has the most lakes (187,888) and the Land of a Thousand Islands (179,584). This puts them second to Sweden in the global islands ranking.
- The Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun, are rare occurrences in Lapland and other northern areas in Finland. Be sure to visit during the winter/summer months at the ideal times to experience these.
- Finland was part of Sweden for almost 600 years (from the middle ages to 1809). From 1809, it was part of Russia until its independence in 1917.
- The majority (84%) of Finland’s population lives in urban areas.
- Finland has the 2nd highest personal income taxes worldwide at 56.95%.
- Nowhere else in Europe has more trees per square mile than Finland. Forest, (including firs, birches, and oaks) covers 78% of Finland’s landmass.
- Finland’s outdoor activities are skiing, fishing, reindeer safaris, lake cruising, hiking, golf, and elk hunting.
- The Finns love their sauna. It is a normal part of their lifestyle and very common to have a sauna in the home or an apartment for all tenants. There are 5.6 million people in Finland and over three million saunas.
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- Santa Claus does not live at the North Pole. His official home is in Rovaniemi, Lapland. This Santa Claus village is Finland’s most popular destination, The post office receives over 700,000 letters from children from almost 200 countries every Christmas.
- Finland has open prisons. They have no bars, locks, or chains. The authorities allow inmates to go to work or study and return. They also allow the detainees to have mobile phones and bank accounts. Whereas, the inmates have the responsibilities such as cooking their meals and doing their laundry. It is no wonder we know Finland as the prison break capital of Europe because, on several occasions, they absconded the authorities.
- A Finnish passport is a valuable passport. It can take the Finns to almost all countries without restrictions.
- Besides Norway, Finland is the other country I saw infants sleeping in their strollers in the cold. I noticed this outside a few restaurants while their parents sat dining inside. Leaving infants in the cold is a customary practice and safe (no baby snatchers) in these countries to toughen up. It only highlights how crime-free it is in Helsinki, Finland.
- Finland has a new tradition called “Restaurant Day”. It is a day they allow pop-up restaurants. This is where anyone can open a restaurant for the day, anywhere they like, even at the parks and on sidewalks.
- In 1977, a Finnish professor invented the first fingertip heart rate monitor.
- Finland has a “National Sleepy Head Day” on July 27. On this day, they throw the last person in the house to get out of bed in the lake, river, or sea.
- Visitors travel to Finland to be part of their weird sports, such as; mosquito hunting, swamp football, rubber boots throwing, and wife-carrying championships (this carries a prize of your wife’s weight in beers).
- Finland’s 120 km Paijanne Water Tunnel is the longest tunnel in Europe and the second longest worldwide.
- On July 6, 2010, Finland was the first country to make internet access a legal right for all citizens.
Finland is the Happiest Country on Earth Cont...
- Rather than graduation caps and gowns, Finnish high school graduates receive sailor-style caps at their graduation ceremony. Ph.D. graduates receive top hats and swords. This tradition dates back to the 1870s.
- Finland holds the most summer Olympic medals per capita than any other nation. They are also second behind Norway in Winter Medals.
- Lapland reindeers have glow-in-the-dark antlers. They paint the reindeer’s antlers with luminescent paint so motorists can spot them.
- Finland is a member of the European Union and the newest member of NATO as recently as April 4, 2023.
- Since 1938, the government continually provide expectant mothers with clothes, sheets, mattresses, and nappies for their soon-to-be-born infants.
- Finland is the 9th most tolerant nation on earth. Based on freedom of rights, religion, speech, and social tolerance. They also rank 3rd behind Iceland and Norway for gender equality.
- Finland has a compulsory sweet tax (sweet drinks, chocolates, and candies, except cookies), a television ownership tax, and also a water tax.
- Finland has the world’s highest annual consumption of milk per capita. They consume more coffee than anywhere else in the world. Norway is second.
- It is the law in Finland to drive with dipped headlights on, at all times of the day, especially in built-up areas. Also, speeding tickets are expensive because they link the fine to your monthly income instead of a fixed fee (daily salary divided by 2). True stories; a Finnish businessman had to pay a 54,000 Euros speeding ticket fine, and similarly, a former Nokia director 116,000 Euros fine), respectively (note that in Switzerland it is even more expensive).
ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF FINLAND AND SECURITY
The Finnish people are honest, hospitable, pleasant, and very courteous people. They make more eye contact and smile with their eyes. I have met many outgoing, helpful, and chatty Finns (although they are not big on talking). Saying hello to one of my favourite Finns, K. Kuurinmaa, thanks for the tour of Suomenlinna, much appreciated. Several times I left my handbag on restaurants’ tables to use the washroom and returned to it untouched. This is because I observed others doing likewise, and the servers reinforced that it is safe to do so.
Moreover, there is a factual saying that out of every 12 lost wallets in Finland, 11 return to their owners. I saw no homeless people or beggars in the city. Maybe because during my visit, Helsinki was snow-covered and very windy.
Most Finns are modest and down to earth and earnest. Many I have chatted, sincerely disagree, and are surprised that they carry the title of the happiest country on earth. Some might even ask. “Why are you in Finland?” “There is nothing to see here”, haha.
Honestly, even though they are pleasant people, I am still unconvinced that Finland is the happiest country on earth. It is a given that they appreciate their many economic advantages. However, the Finns seemed more contented with their lives than exuding happiness. They have a “Finnish proverb” (happiness is a place between too little and too much). For me, that is the true definition of contentment, and why I made the previous statement.
Within the first few hours in Finland, I went to the small grocer near my hostel. As per usual, my first purchase in every country is always water and fruits. While waiting in line I observed the young female cashier. For every customer who came to cash out their items, she said something sounding like “hi”. This is something you do not see/hear in many countries. It was then my turn, and with a pleasant look, she said it to me, then I said to her, “oh you speak English, you said hi, cool”. She corrected me and told me she said “moi” which sounded just like hi. So right away, I learned an informal Finnish word for “hi”. (Hei is the Finnish for hi).
She then looked at the water and said, “are you visiting Finland?” I said, “yes”, she continued, “you don’t need to buy water, Finland has the best water in the world”. How honest and patriotic, I thought. She preferred to lose business, save me some money, and be patriotic at the same time by promoting her country’s resources. From that moment, it reinforced my good feelings about the Finns.
Finland is the Happiest Country on Earth Cont...
On another occasion, I was at a store and accidentally cut in front of another lady in the cashier’s line. When I realised it, I said to her, “sorry I did not see you there,” and stepped back so she could stand in front of me, she said, “no it is ok”, and I also insisted she went ahead of me. Eventually, she insisted I stay put, and I accepted.
On my side of the world, this is a non-issue, but in many countries, it would have come with grumblings and rolled eyes as soon as I did it. While we waited, we chatted, and she suggested some of the best places to visit in Helsinki, and of course, she advised it is better in the summer. I must confess the Finns are such lovely people.
Regarding security, Helsinki felt safe, even though they registered over 100 murders last year. They also have a higher homicide rate than their neighbours, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Notwithstanding this, the security in this city is super relaxed. I saw hardly any police officers, yet I felt safe. While sightseeing during the day and at night, I did so fearlessly without looking over my shoulders.
HOW EXPENSIVE ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS, MEALS, AND TRANSPORTATION?
Helsinki is super-expensive. This includes meals, accommodation and mainly taxis. Public transport like buses, trains, and trams are fairly reasonably-priced. Compared to the other Nordic countries nearby, it is cheaper than Norway but more expensive than Sweden and Denmark. There are no cheap hostels or accommodation, even in the low travel season. (see booking.com for the best accommodation deals in Helsinki).
I will never forget Finland for this; I stayed in a hostel, Yes! Something I thought I would never, ever do. However, I did not get a 100% hostel experience because, besides the dorms, they also had private rooms. So technically, I was in a private room in a hostel (I still cannot share a room with strangers, and will never do).
Why did I choose a hostel? Because all hotels, apartments, and BnBs were super expensive. I searched four months in advance, and the price was still exorbitant. I am not sure what was the reason for such high prices during winter.
I am thinking it is possible that Finland either has limited accommodations or is a popular travel destination during winter. Because compared to Switzerland, the most expensive country in Europe, I found more hotel options for around the same price than I paid for the hostel in Finland. Whereas in comparison with Estonia nearby, I got better accommodation for half the price.
Public transportation, as previously mentioned, was fairly reasonable. A single ticket was valid for any form of transportation, such as the HSL bus, tram, or metro, and the cost was 3.20 Euros. However, if you purchase a Helsinki Travel Card, it works out to 2.06 Euros per ticket. Notwithstanding the perks that came with it, such as free entry to various museums, discounts at restaurants and shopping, etc.
Like everything else, meals were expensive in Helsinki.
ABOUT FINLAND FOOD
Traditional Finnish cuisines comprise mainly grains, oats, creams, milk, and yogurts. Their food followed a generation of “poor man’s food”. They also love porridge, pickled foods, fish, and fruits, especially berries and pastries. The country has vast landscapes of berries, vegetables, and various types of fish. Finnish foods are exciting and delicious. Below are some traditional Finnish dishes you should try when in Finland.
FINNISH FOODS YOU MUST TRY
1. Leipajuusto aka Squeaky Cheese (made from colostrum, which is the milk that comes right after the cow gives birth. The curdled cheese is then baked, grilled, or flambeed, diving it a brownish finish).
2. Mustikkapiirakka (a blueberry pie made from blueberries on the non-traditional pastry dough. Instead, they make the dough from almond or rice flour with a cake-like, gluten-free texture).
3. Paistetut Muikut aka fried Vendace (Vendace is a freshwater water fish that they fry and serve with mashed potatoes).
4. Udet Perunat Ja Silli (spring potatoes and pickled herring, they serve it with butter and dill).
5. Ruisleipa (this is a flat, crispy rye bread made from sourdough).
6. Salmiakki (salted licorice has an unusual flavour, but is a popular Finnish treat).
7. korvapussti (we know it as a Cinnamon bun but with a Finnish twist).
8. Karelian Pastry (oval-shaped crusty pastries topped with rice or mashed potatoes and then baked).
9. Poronkaristys aka Sauteed Reindeer (as in Santa’s helpers ..lol it has the consistency of beef, and they serve it with mashed potatoes and lingonberries).
10. Lohikeitto (a soup made with salmon, potatoes, and leaks, sometimes dill, they add milk for creaminess).
Finland is the Happiest Country on Earth Cont...
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MUST DO/VISIT SITES OF INTEREST IN HELSINKI/FINLAND
1. Tuomiokirkko – Helsinki Cathedral (built between 1830 and 1853 as a tribute to Tsar Nicholas).
2. Sveaborg or Suomenlinna Island Sea Fortress (a UNESCO site, built gradually from 1748 on a group of linked islands. It is a series of fortifications, tunnels, etc., built to defend the city).
3. Visit a Sauna and enjoy life like the Finns.
4. Sibelius Park (this is a scenic park with unusual monuments with a beautiful lake. I think it will be more enjoyable in the spring or summer).
5. Uspenski Cathedral (Europe’s largest Byzantine-Russian style Orthodox Church).
6.Temppeliaukio Church and Finlandia Hall (perfect examples of the earliest of Finland modernism).
7. Esplandi Park (best to visit in the spring or summer when the flowers are in bloom).
8. Seurasaari Island and Open-air Museum (take the public ferry to this island. It gives an insight into early Finland life because they preserved all buildings. They relocated some historical buildings there to contribute to an interesting open-air museum).
9. The Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square (the main square, with exquisite buildings, including the Helsinki Cathedral).
10. Kamppi Chapel of Silence (this is an unusual organic shape wooden panel church, which offers humility, peace, and silence inside because of its shape and small interior. It was closed during the pandemic, and because of staff layoffs but will reopen in spring 2023).
11. Kauppatori- Outdoor Market place (take a walk from Senate Square to here, it is a place for good reasonably priced local cuisines and souvenirs…be sure to watch out for the seagulls, or your food will disappear).
SUMMARY
Finland, or more so, Helsinki, is a beautiful place to visit. With so many lakes and islands to explore, the Aurora and Midnight sun (Northern Finland) to experience makes it even more intriguing. Furthermore, its outgoing and pleasant locals, delicious foods, and clean, safe city make it one of the preferred Nordic countries to visit. I prefer to travel to Europe during the winter, but for the newbie traveller, I would recommend late spring or summer to enjoy the true beauty of the Nordics.
Similar to the other Nordic countries, Finland is super expensive. However, the warmth of the Finns makes it my preferred choice. If you are a backpacker or budget traveller, clearly you can see it is not a top pick because your money cannot stretch very far, especially on accommodation. Nevertheless, if you plan well, you can experience its beauty for a few days without busting your budget. I will highly recommend Helsinki, Finland to all. It is now one of my two favourite Nordic countries. Enjoy!
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