Did you know that Finland was considered the happiest country in the world? Indeed, the United Nations published its annual World Happiness Report revealing the ranking of 149 countries worldwide according to the « state of global happiness. ». Finland is at the head of the ranking for the fourth year in a row! In order to classify the different countries, several criteria were taken into account such as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), life expectancy, individual freedom, social support and even corruption indexes in each country.
In the present article, we are going to reveal the country’s secrets to be the happiest country in the world…
Relaxing rituals
In Finland, sharing is the key word. It turns out that one of the rituals in Finnish culture is the sauna. Finland has approximately 3 million saunas! Incredible, isn’t it? This number is all the more impressive when you take into account that there are about 5.5 million people (2019) in Finland…!
In fact, the sauna is the perfect place to gather with friends. Almost every city in the country has saunas. However, one particular city stands out: Tampere (two hours by train from Helsinki). Tampere was named the “Sauna Capital of the World” in 2019.
In Finland, you can find public saunas like the Rajaportti sauna (the oldest in the country) or the Löyly Design sauna (recently opened in Helsinki).
Incredible landscapes
Santa Claus Village
Have you ever dreamt of meeting Santa Claus? Well, you need to go to Finland and more precisely to the city of Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. You may have the opportunity to visit Santa Claus’ office! In few words, Rovaniemi is a dream destination regardless of the season. If you go to Rovaniemi in the winter, you won’t have time to get bored. There are plenty of winter activities do to, from experiencing snowmobile safaris to taking reindeer sleigh rides! In the summer, you can enjoy a cruise that will make you discover secret places of the city…
Nice, right?
Aurora borealis
Moreover, roughly 200 nights a year, you can witness the Northern Lights. The best time to observe them is between September and March. In Finnish Lapland, there are many hotels offering you an unforgettable night to admire the Northern Lights. Among the best hotels, there are the Arctic Treehouse, the Snowman World Igloo or the Seaside Glass Villas.
Eco-friendly
A 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) study revealed that the air in Finland was one of the cleanest in the world. In a world where pollution keeps damaging our health and environment, individuals are seeking a better lifestyle.
Finland is a country with a lot of space. The population density is relatively low and the country does not have many large cities. Finland is one of the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Finland has a large amount of green space that it aims to protects. The figures are clear: 75% of the country’s land area is covered in forest, there are about 188,000 lakes, and 39 national parks.
Moreover, the city of Lahti was named the « European Green Capital 2021 » by the European Union. Lahti is an example of a Finnish city that aspires to preserve the environment through green initiatives. Among the most significant actions, the city has decided to abandon the use of coal and to clean up lakes.
Therefore, be ready to buy your plane tickets and let’s go to Finland: the happiest country in the world.
