Finland is a fascinating country located in Northern Europe. It has a rich culture, unique traditions, and striking natural landscapes of forests, lakes, and islands. Finland is also known to be the home of Santa Claus! To help you learn more about this magnificent country, here are 41 riddles about Finland along with the answers. Test your knowledge of Finnish geography, history, culture, people, and more with these brain teasers.
Riddles about Finnish Geography
What is the largest lake in Finland?
Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland, covering about 4,400 square kilometers in the southeastern part of the country. It’s a labyrinthine network of smaller lakes and islands that together form a large, irregular body of fresh water. With its beautiful forests and islands, Lake Saimaa is a popular tourist destination for boating, fishing, and enjoying Finland’s famous summer cottages.
What is the highest point in Finland?
At 1,324 meters above sea level, the highest point in Finland is Mount Halti located in Lapland near the Norwegian border. Though not a towering peak, Halti still offers spectacular views over Finland’s remote northern fells and hills.
Which Finnish city is nicknamed “The Daughter of the Baltic Sea”?
Helsinki, the capital and largest city in Finland, is often called “The Daughter of the Baltic Sea.” Its spectacular location on a peninsula surrounded by small islands and inlets connected to the Baltic gives Helsinki a close connection to the sea.
Riddles about Finnish History
Which country did Finland fight against during the Winter War of 1939-1940?
During the Winter War, Finland fought valiantly against a Soviet invasion aimed at annexing Finnish territory. Vastly outnumbered, the outgunned Finns used ingenious tactics, taking advantage of their knowledge of winter conditions to resist the Red Army’s advance for over three months before eventually having to cede land in a peace agreement.
What is the name of the first novel published in Finnish?
Seven Brothers by Aleksis Kivi, published in 1870, was the first full-length novel published in the Finnish language. An epic tale drawing from Finnish folklore, its publication was a landmark event in establishing Finnish as a literary language and expression of national identity.
Which century did Finland first become part of Sweden?
Finland first became part of Sweden in the 13th century. For nearly 700 years afterward, control of Finland was disputed between Sweden and Russia until the country declared independence from Russia in 1917 after the Bolshevik revolution.
Riddles about Finnish Culture
Where does the Finnish epic poem Kalevala take place?
Compiled in the 19th century from traditional Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology, the epic Kalevala is set in Kalevala or the “land of heroes.” Though a mythical place, the magical geography of Kalevala echoes the landscapes, forests, and lakes of Eastern Finland.
What is the national instrument of Finland?
The kantele is a traditional Finnish plucked string instrument similar to a zither. Played like a small harp set flat on the player’s lap or table, the distinctive sound of the kantele evokes Finland’s national heritage and continues to feature in Finnish folk music today.
What type of event does the Midsummer holiday celebrate in Finland?
In Finland and other Nordic countries, Midsummer is a beloved celebration of the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. Typical Midsummer traditions include raising a maypole, lighting bonfires, and enjoying special seasonal foods like new potatoes and grilled salmon.
Riddles about Finns (Finnish People)
Why do Finns love their saunas so much?
Bathing in saunas is a centuries-old tradition in Finland, deeply relaxing while promoting health, social bonding, and a harmony with nature. With over 2 million saunas for just 5 million people, most Finns visit a sauna at least once a week!
What is a common physical trait of ethnic Finns?
Most Finns have light-colored eyes, either blue or a greenish hue, with blond or light brown hair. This stereotypical Northern European appearance reflects Finland’s historic genetic ancestry.
Why is Finland frequently ranked at the top in education globally?
Education is highly valued in Finnish culture, and teachers are professionals held in extremely high regard. Finland’s public school system emphasizes creative self-expression with relatively little standardized testing and homework compared to many countries.
Riddles about Finnish Wildlife
What is the national animal of Finland?
The brown bear is a symbol of Finland’s wildlife and natural heritage. These powerful animals can still be found roaming Finland’s vast forests, especially in the east and north of the country.
Which types of reindeer live in Finnish Lapland?
The northernmost arm of Finland, Lapland is known for the Sámi reindeer-herding culture and hosting Santa Claus Village theme park. Two different subspecies of reindeer inhabit Lapland—the mountain reindeer and its cousin, the forest (or woodland) reindeer.
What kind of habitat does the endangered Saimaa ringed seal need for survival?
Endemic to Finland, the extremely rare Saimaa ringed seal lives only in Lake Saimaa, the country’s largest lake. It depends on the lakeshore rocky islets, fjärds (shallow bays), and ice cover for breeding and rearing pups during the winter and spring.
Riddles about Santa Claus
What Finnish town is the official hometown of Santa Claus?
Rovaniemi, part of Finnish Lapland inside the Arctic Circle, is considered the “official” home town of Santa Claus. The Santa Claus Village theme park there includes Santa’s office and post office to receive children’s letters from around the world.
What other names is Santa Claus known by?
Santa Claus is also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Saint Nick, simply Santa, and even Joulupukki, which means “Christmas goat” in Finnish.
What are the origins of flying reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh?
Legends of Sami shamans in northern Finland and Siberia using magic mushrooms to make reindeer “fly” may be one of the sources of the popular modern mythology around Santa’s flying reindeer crew.
Conclusion
From the edge of the Arctic to cosmopolitan Helsinki, Finland is a land of sublime landscapes, rich culture, and welcoming people. These 41 riddles provide just a glimpse into Finland’s national mysteries. Whether pondering Santa’s secrets or the educational excellence of Finnish schools, Finland never fails to intrigue and inspire people across the globe!
