Finland

A country of northern Europe bordering on the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland. Settled by Finnish people by the beginning of the 8th century, the region was controlled from the 13th century by Sweden and after 1809 by Russia. Finland became independent in 1917. Helsinki is the capital and the largest city. Population: 5,240,000.

An arm of the Baltic Sea bordering on Finland, Russia, and Estonia. An important shipping lane, the shallow gulf is usually frozen from December to March.