When people talk about holidays, the idea of them sunbathing while they can hear the peaceful splash of the waves crashing on the shore comes to mind. However, this is not the only type of holiday that is worth exploring.
Finland is a destination that offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences to those who choose to visit it. The fact that it is located in the far north of the globe makes it a pretty cold place, but this contributes to the unique phenomena and fun activities that you can experience there. Let me be more specific by presenting you with four interesting facts about Finland that you should know about this country.
Fact 1: The Land of the Midnight Sun
Finland is also called ‘the land of the midnight sun. Why? Due to its location close to the Arctic Circle and the tilt of the Earth’s axis, the sun does not set in summer. This means that when the summer sky in the rest of the world is dark and the moon and bazillion stars are visible, in Finland there is a reddish sun that offers a breathtaking view of the sky.
It should be noted that in the northern parts of Finland it is possible for the sun to stay in the sky all night long, while in the southern parts of the country it usually sets pretty late, typically after midnight and it rises at around 4 in the morning. Don’t miss your chance to go to a spot where you can sit and enjoy the view of the sunset when the sun’s colours are supposed to shine the brightest. You can use Enjoy Travel to hire a car to take you to the right spot at the right time for the cheapest price. Don’t forget to bring your camera with you because you’ll definitely want to capture that sight.
Fact 2: Visit Santa Claus’s Home
It would be a shame to visit Finland and not pay a visit to the most iconic saint of all time, Santa Claus. Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, the northernmost region in Finland, and Santa Claus’s hometown. Santa Claus established his office in Rovaniemi in 1985, and it is the starting point where he goes on to visit every child’s house on Earth and leave them a present on Christmas Eve. You can visit Santa’s office and meet him throughout the year.
Fact 3: Northern Lights
You must have heard about the Northern Lights many times. But do you know what they are? The northern lights, or aurora borealis as they’re scientifically known, are energised particles that the sun throws at Earth. Our planet’s magnetic field shields itself from those particles and deflects them to its poles. Those particles interact with the atmosphere at the poles, which makes them lose their energy, and that leads to the colourful lights that we get to see.
It should be mentioned that this phenomenon also occurs in the South Pole, and it is called southern lights or aurora australis.
Fact 4: Ice Swimming
If you are brave enough, you can try ice swimming. Cutting a hole in the ice and jumping right in is a popular pastime in Finland. Although there are health and mental benefits from this activity, you should ask a doctor before going through with it, and you should have done your research about dos and don’ts.