July is peak vacation time in Finland. Here are 10 fast facts for the beach (bundle up) – and suggestions for further summery reading.
Yle News
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Three times more people in Finland take holidays in July than any other month.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
The average Finnish household spends 1,300 euros during a month of vacation, or about 65 euros a day.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
The weather is statistically optimum during the school holidays (June through early/mid-August). If the dates were shifted to later as some suggest, there would be more rainy days on average.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
Strawberries symbolise the Nordic summer. Studies indicate they can slow ageing and support coronary health.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
Did you know that there are about 200 seeds on the surface of each strawberry?
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
Even in the shade, your skin is exposed to half the UV radiation on a bright day.
Sunblock is always recommended, but especially if your shadow appears longer than your body.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
Ice cream was first made from snow and fruit juice in China 3,000 years ago.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
Each year, the average person in Finland eats over 12 litres of ice cream – more than a bucketful.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
Can you swim? One in three adults in Finland cannot.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
If you can swim 200 metres, 50 of those on your back, you're officially classified as being able to swim.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
One in 10 people in Finland owns a summer cottage. Only six percent of them are under 40, though.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
Some 130,000 lightning-bolts strike the country each year, but only six people have been killed by lightning since 2000.
Image: Nella Nuora / Yle
What's the world's shortest joke? The Finnish summer. That's why the locals treasure each day of it.
