Capital of Finland: Helsinki — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Finland is Helsinki. Finland sits in Europe, has a population of 5,540,745, and uses the EUR. Official languages include Finnish, Swedish.
Quick facts
- Capital: Helsinki
- Continent: Europe
- Population: ~5,540,745
- Area: 338,424 km²
- Population density: 16.4 people per km²
- Official languages: Finnish, Swedish
- Currency: EUR
- ISO code: FI
How big is Finland?
By population, Finland ranks 117th in the world, holding roughly 0.07% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 65th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Finland has 16.4 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.6 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Europe, Finland is the 24th most populous country of 46.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Finland in population are Central African Republic (5,579,144) and Lebanon (5,489,739).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Congo (342,000 km²) and Vietnam (331,212 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Finnish is listed as an official language of Finland alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
The EUR is not unique to Finland — it is also used by Andorra, Austria, Belgium and Croatia, and 21 others. Shared currencies usually mark a monetary union or a long-standing peg, and they are a useful shortcut in quizzes: get one country's currency and you often get several.
How to remember Finland
Helsinki is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is nicknamed 'the Daughter of the Baltic'. For the flag, think of a blue lake cross on white snow.
The flag of Finland: white and blue
🇫🇮 The flag is a white flag with a blue Nordic cross, shifted towards the flagpole. The blue stands for the country's thousands of lakes, and the white for snow.
Region and neighbours
Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, between Sweden and Russia, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south. It shares land borders with 3 countries: Sweden, Norway and Russia.
Three facts about Finland
- Finland has more than 180,000 lakes, and most of its land is covered by forest.
- Finland declared its independence on 6 December 1917.
- The writer and artist Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins, is one of the most translated Finnish authors.
Sources: Wikipedia: Finland, Wikipedia: Flag of Finland, Wikipedia: Helsinki, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Finland
- European capitals quiz — match Finland to Helsinki
- European flags quiz — spot the Finland flag among its neighbours
Finland capital quiz
What is the capital of Finland 🇫🇮?
- Helsinki
- Athens
- Valletta
- Nicosia
Show answer
Helsinki
What is the capital of Norway 🇳🇴?
- Oslo
- Athens
- Belgrade
- Andorra la Vella
Show answer
Oslo
What is the capital of Slovakia 🇸🇰?
- Vilnius
- Tallinn
- Bratislava
- Podgorica
Show answer
Bratislava
What is the capital of Denmark 🇩🇰?
- Bucharest
- Helsinki
- Copenhagen
- Podgorica
Show answer
Copenhagen
What is the capital of Ireland 🇮🇪?
- Dublin
- Brussels
- Warsaw
- Stockholm
Show answer
Dublin
Finland in Europe
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Russia, Germany, United Kingdom and France.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Europe is the block Finland belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Finland.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Finland?
The capital of Finland is Helsinki.
What is the population of Finland?
About 5,540,745, making it the 117th most populous country in the world.
How big is Finland?
338,424 square kilometres, ranking 65th by land area, at a density of 16.4 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Finland use?
The EUR, shared with 25 other countries.
What are the colours of the Finland flag?
The flag of Finland is a white flag with a blue Nordic cross, shifted towards the flagpole. The blue stands for the country's thousands of lakes, and the white for snow.
Which countries border Finland?
Finland shares land borders with Sweden, Norway and Russia.
How can I remember the capital of Finland?
Helsinki is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is nicknamed 'the Daughter of the Baltic'. For the flag, think of a blue lake cross on white snow.
More capitals to learn
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