Some useful facts about Finland
Climate
Finnish climate is marked by harsh winters and fairly warm summers. In summer the temperature in the morning rises to between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius, and the weather warms quickly towards the afternoon. From the Midsummer festival (around June 24) to mid-August afternoon temperatures are typically between 20 and 23 degrees. In winter the weather quite often goes close to -20 C°.
Current weather in Jyväskylä
Languages
There are two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. 6% of the population is Swedish speaking. English is widely spoken in Finland and in the business community some companies use it as their house language. German is no longer widely taught.
Religion
In Finland freedom of religion is a basic right. Finland is a country with both eastern and western influences. Christian influences from both East and West reached Finland a thousand years ago. By the beginning of the 14th century most of Finland was under the Roman Catholic Church and Swedish rule. Most Finns belong formally to the Evangelical-Lutheran Church (about 83%), while 1.1% belong to the Finnish Orthodox Church.
Economy
The main export sectors are papermaking, electronics, metal and engineering. Paper industry is one of the three major export sectors; forests are still Finland’s most crucial raw material resource. Ship construction is also an important part of economy life.
Banks
Banks are normally open from Monday to Friday 10 am - 16:30 pm. Some banks have longer opening hours.
Electricity
The electric current in Finland is 220 V (230 V), 50 Hz.
Emergencies
Dial 112 for emergency services in Finland.
Internet services
Free access to internet is usually offered in libraries (kirjasto), reservation recommended.
Lunch
Cafes, coffee bars and restaurants serve specially-priced meals at lunch-time (11 am - 2 pm).
Shops
The most common opening hours are 9.00 to 20.00 on weekdays and 9.00 to 15.00 on Saturdays. Retail shops are allowed to be open from Monday to Friday 7 am - 9 pm and on Saturdays 7 am - 6 pm. Smaller grocery stores may be open also on Sundays 12 am - 9 pm.
Pharmacies
Medicines are sold at pharmacies (apteekki).
Post offices
Post offices are usually open from Monday to Friday 9 am - 6 pm. Jyväskylä Main Post Office open Mon-Fri 8-20. Yellow mail boxes (standing on the ground) for collections daily. Stamps are available at Post Offices, book and paper shops, R-kiosks, stations, hotels.
Sauna
Tourists can enjoy a sauna at most hotels, motels, holiday villages and camping sites, where there are separate saunas for men and women. Muurame Sauna Village provides a unique overview of the sauna tradition in Finland. The area contains 30 smoke saunas from various parts of the country as well as a magnificent exhibition of sauna culture.
Telephone
Calls from Finland
By direct dialling: dial the international prefix (00, 990, 994 or 999), the country code, the trunk code and the subscriber's number.
Calls to Finland
To call Finland from abroad: dial the international prefix of the country you call from, the country code to Finland (358), the trunk code without the prefix 0 and the subscriber's number.
Tipping
Tips are not expected in Finland at restaurants, cafés or coffee bars because service is included in the price.
Taxis
You can get a taxi by telephone (see telephone directory under Taksi) or from taxi ranks. All taxis have an illuminated yellow sign taksi/taxi. When the sign is lit the taxi is vacant.
