Home to Saint Nicholas, the Aurora Borealis, the midnight sun and the polar night, as well as many species rarely encountered elsewhere in Europe, Finland is one of Europe's last great wilderness areas. Its relatively unspoilt territories are reflected in the coniferous taiga forests and the many lakes and bogs which together dominate 80% of the landscape.

Much of the northern and central regions experience a subarctic climate for half of the year, with regular snowfalls adding a sense of peace and natural harmony. Winter north of the arctic circle is where the treeless fells of Lapland are cloaked in the bluish polar night and the celebrated northern lights flicker in the skies. At Finland's northernmost point, the sun does not set for 73 consecutive days in the summer.

Finland's popularity with birdwatchers is testimony to the wide array of unique species found here - including owls, woodpeckers and grouse. Finland also supports charismatic mammals such as brown bears (the national animal), lynx, wolverine and reindeer.

For more information and images, contact timaldred@naturepl.com

Single-photographer portfolios from this region can be browsed under the search terms ^Jorma Luhta Finland^ or ^Markus Varesvuo Finland^.

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