Finland - Travel Report

Finland is a developed country in Northern Europe with a modern economy. Finland is a member of the European Union. Tourist facilities are widely available. The capital is Helsinki. The average GDP of Finland is $141.7 billion (2003 est.). The primary products of Finland are metal, steel, forest products, chemicals, food stuffs, textiles, clothing, grain and meat. The major markets for Finnish products are the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, and Japan. The predominant religion in Finland is Lutheran, therefore a majority of the population observes traditional Lutheran holidays. Commercial and financial transactions in Finland are increasingly automated and on-line. Cash is almost always acceptable (the currency is the euro) but most major credit cards are widely recognized. ATM machines are very common and many U.S.-issued bankcards are compatible with them. Checks drawn on a U.S. bank are of little use in Finland.