Finland is the most unusual of the Nordic countries, with its own peculiar language and unique traditions.

• The Finnish language is distinct from the Scandinavian languages, and much of the culture is tailored to the harsh weather experienced by much of the country, which is significantly colder than the rest of Scandinavia, particularly in winter.
• Finns are generally friendly and open-minded, despite their initial shyness. Finnish culture values timeliness, good manners, and practicality.
• Finns enjoy nature and take significant environmental precautions, making Finland one of the world’s cleanest countries. They enjoy physical activities. Popular outdoor activities include hiking, ice hockey, skiing, swimming, hunting, sailing, golf, and camping.
• While Finland, like the rest of the Nordic region, enjoys the outdoors, a Finnish day in nature almost usually ends with a sauna, which is far less popular elsewhere.
• Because of the country’s geographical position, traditional Finnish cuisine combines Swedish and Russian influences. Traditional cuisine relies significantly on potatoes, fish, pork, and dairy ingredients.