A few months ago, we finally got a Norwegian to drop by Eff You. The only one so far, as near as I can tell, but beggars can't be choosers. I am proud of my Norwegian visitor.
And now, at last, the last of the Big Three Scandinavian countries has checked in: people, Eff You has attracted somebody from Finland. Finland used to be part of Sweden, then part of Russia. I think they like the Swedes now more than they like the Russians.
The Republic of Finland shares land borders with Norway, Sweden and Russia, while Estonia lies to the south across the Gulf of Finland. The population of Finland in 2012 was about 5.4 million, with more than 1 million living in and around the capital of Helsinki. The eighth-largest nation in Europe in area, Finland is the most sparsely populated country in the European Union.
Finland has the distinction of having fought against both sides during World War II, and were technically at war with both sides simultaneously in 1944-45. The Finns fought The Winter War against the Soviets in 1939-40 and were forced to cede territory to the USSR at the end of that dust-up, then again in The Continuation War of 1941-1944. That time, the Finns kicked ass early, gained back what they had lost, then lost a lot of it again before halting the Soviets again. There was a ceasefire in 1944, but no treaty ending the war until 1947, which means that when the Finns fought The Lapland War against their former allies, the Germans, in 1944-45, they were technically at war with both sides. Neat trick.
Anyway, welcome Finland to the Eff You family. Come back soon, and bring your friends.
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