Modern Finland

by Harald Haarmann

Providing a multifaceted view of modern Finland, this book describes its history, culture, language, geography, natural history and the mythology of early peoples. Topics include Fenno-Scandia inhabitants and their environment, traditional naturalism and modern environmentalism, and the salient features of "Finnishness," including an analysis of the Finnish educational system and gender equality. Finland's art, architecture and music are highlighted, along with its peace-keeping missions worldwide. The country's several ethnic groups and their languages are discussed--the Saami, Finns, Finland-Swedes, Russian-speaking peoples, Jews and Gypsies. The author examines Finland's late but rapid development in commerce and industry, with a focus on the history of Nokia Corporation, which grew from a 19th-century manufacturer of pulpwood and rubber boots to a 21st-century international digital communications company.

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2016

About the author

Harald Haarmann (born 1946) is a German linguist and cultural scientist who lives and works in Finland. Haarmann studied general linguistics, various philological disciplines and prehistory at the universities of Hamburg, Bonn, Coimbra and Bangor.
Haarmann is the author of more than 40 books in German, English, Spanish, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and nearly 200 articles and essays in ten languages.

Reviews

[Ilie Pioar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive and thorough anthropologist, cultural and historical study of what Finland and Finnish people are. Tends to get boring sometimes because of the multitude of statistical data and references, but on the whole, a really good book. Good for understanding Finland, especially for foreigners.