The Republic of Finland is the second most northerly state of the European continent. It is approximately three times the size of Ohio. It is heavily forested and contains thousands of lakes, numerous rivers, and extensive areas of marshland. Except for a small highland region in the extreme northwest, the country is lowland less than 600 ft above sea level. Off the southwest coast are the Swedish-populated Åland Islands, which have had an autonomous status since 1921. ENJOY!!

Languages: Finnish, Swedish
Religions: Protestant, Lutheran Church of Finland, Orthodox Church
Status: UN Country 1955
Markka: Its etymology is the same as "Mark" (Mark: Old English: "Marc" is a unit of weight of precious metals perhaps from the marks on metal bars.)

Tonight's note is the 1993 issue of the 20 Markka.

(Front) Vaino Linna at l. (Back) View of Tampere's Tammerkoski on the reverse. The building on the left side of the channel is part of the Finlayson mill, where Linna worked.

Note: Linna's social realism has had a profound influence on Finnish social, political and cultural life. His novels have a place in Finland's literary canon, among Kalevala, Seven Brothers and other classics.