Finland is a Nordic country bordering Sweden, Norway, and Russia, known for its vast forests, tens of thousands of lakes, and the spectacular aurora borealis. It was part of Sweden for nearly 700 years before becoming a Russian Grand Duchy in 1809 and declaring independence in 1917. Finland consistently ranks at the very top of global happiness, education, and quality-of-life indices.
Population and area are rounded.
The blue cross on white was proposed in the 19th century, when the poet Zachris Topelius wrote of the blue of Finland's lakes and the white of its snow, and it was adopted in May 1918 after independence from Russia. The state flag adds the coat of arms, a crowned lion standing on a sabre, at the centre of the cross. Finland's flag days include Midsummer and Independence Day on 6 December.
White field with a blue Nordic cross slightly offset to the left.
Finland has the most metal bands per capita of any country in the world.
Finland's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:
Every flag that has flown over Finland, from today back through time.
Adopted on May 29, 1918, shortly after Finland declared independence from Russia in December 1917. The blue Nordic cross on white was chosen through a design competition — the blue representing Finland's thousands of lakes and the clear sky, the white its snow. The exact proportions were refined several times, with the current form standardised in 1978.
After Sweden ceded Finland to Russia in 1809, Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. The duchy used a red flag bearing the Finnish lion coat of arms. During this period Finnish national identity grew steadily — the Kalevala epic was compiled, the Finnish language was promoted, and the eventual push for independence gathered strength.
For roughly 600 years — from the medieval Northern Crusades until 1809 — Finland was an integral eastern part of the Kingdom of Sweden, not a colony but Swedish soil, flying the blue-and-yellow Swedish flag. That long union left Finland its Lutheran faith, its legal traditions, and the Swedish-speaking minority that endures today, before Russia took it as war booty in 1809.
Empires, kingdoms and republics that once covered part of Finland.
The black-yellow-white 'imperial colors' were drawn from the state coat of arms by Alexander II, before Nicholas II demoted them for the white-blue-red tricolor.
After independence Finland briefly elected a German prince as king and designed lion-bearing royal flags — but Germany's defeat in WWI ended the monarchy before he ever arrived.
The 19 states, provinces and regions of Finland with their own flags.
Uusimaa
South Karelia
South Ostrobothnia
South Savo
Kainuu
Tavastia Proper
Central Ostrobothnia
Central Finland
Kymenlaakso
Lapland
Pirkanmaa
Ostrobothnia
North Karelia
North Ostrobothnia
North Savo
Päijänne Tavastia
Satakunta
Southwest Finland
Åland IslandsFinland shares a land border with 3 countries: Norway, Russia and Sweden.
9 other national flags use the same main colours as Finland's.
Play Globalio and learn Finland's flag
Norway
Iceland
Russia
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Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Israel
Micronesia
Nicaragua
San Marino
Somalia