Finland

Finland is one of the northernmost and geographically most remote countries in the world, with a harsh climate. Almost two-thirds of Finland is covered by dense forests, which makes it the most densely forested country in Europe. Finland represents a symbolic northern border between Western and Eastern Europe: to the east dense wilderness and Russia, to the west the Gulf of Bothnia and Sweden. The country contains around 56 000 lakes, numerous rivers and vast areas of marshlands. The area of Finland can be divided into three ecoregions, according to WWF: Scandinavian and Russian taiga, Sarmatic mixed forests, and Scandinavian Montane Birch forests and grasslands. Finland has a rich and varied fauna. There are at least 60 species of native mammals, 248 species of breeding birds, more than 70 species of fish and 11 species of reptiles and frogs, many of which migrated from neighboring countries thousands of years ago. Among the large and widely known wild mammals in the country are the Brown Bear, Grey Wolf, Wolverine and Elk. Three of the birds that stand out are the Whooper Swan, a large European swan, Finland's national bird, the Western Capercaillie, and the Eurasian Eagle-Owl. Willow Warbler, Common Chaffinch and Redwing are the most common breeding birds. Among the seventy or so freshwater fish species, Northern Pike, Perch and other species are abundant. The Atlantic Salmon continues to be a favorite of fly-fishermen. The Saimaa Ringed Seal, one of only three species of lake seal in the world, is endangered and is found only in the Saimaa Lake system in south-east Finland.