 The
geography of Finland differs from that of other Nordic countries.
Bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland,
between Sweden and Russia, Finland is the northernmost country on
the European continent. Although other countries have points
extending farther north, virtually all of Finland is north of 60
degrees north latitude; nearly a quarter of the land area and fully
one-third of the latitudinal extent of the country lie north of the
Arctic Circle.Latitude is the principal
influence on Finland's climate. Because of Finland's northern
location, winter is the longest season. On the average, winter lasts
105 to 120 days in the archipelago and 180 to 220 days in Lapland.
This means that southern portions of the country are snow-covered
about three to four months of the year and the northern, about seven
months. The long winter causes about half of the annual 500 to 600
millimetres (20 to 24 in) of precipitation in the north to fall as
snow. Precipitation in the south amounts to about 600 to 700
millimetres (24 to 28 in) annually. Like that of the north, it
occurs all through the year, though not so much of it is snow.
The Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Eurasian continent to the
east interact to modify the climate of the country. The warm waters
of the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Drift Current, which warm
Norway and Sweden, also warm Finland. Westerly winds bring the warm
air currents into the Baltic areas and to the country's shores,
moderating winter temperatures, especially in the south. These winds,
because of clouds associated with weather systems accompanying the
westerlies, also decrease the amount of sunshine received during the
summer. By contrast, the continental high pressure system situated
over the Eurasian continent counteracts the maritime influences,
causing severe winters and occasionally high temperatures in the
summer.
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