The Sami Indigenous People of Finland

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History
The land known today as Finland was first inhabited by the Sami people. The Sami were indigenous people that inhabited the Arctic area after the ice age was over. Fishing was the main livelihood as well as fur trapping, and herding of sheep, goats, and reindeer. Although there is ten distinct Sami languages, only three were practiced in the Finland region; Northern Sami, Inari Sami, and Skolt Sami. However, when Finnish speakers moved into this region the Sami people were forced to migrate upward. Finland grew in population through the roman period (0-400 AD), migration period (400 - 575 AD), merovingian period (575 – 800 A.D), and the Viking Period (800-1025 AD). In the twelfth century Sweden invaded Finland starting the multiple Swedish Crusades. These crusades where aimed to bring Christianity into Finland but eventually led to Finland being ruled by Sweden. Sweden ruled over Finland till the 19th century when the Finnish War broke out against Sweden and Russia. On September 17 1809 the Treaty of Fredriksham was sign making Finland now the Grand Duchy of Russia. Being under Russian rule for a hundred years led to censorship and political prosecution. Laws like this led to the Fennoman movement to protect Finland's culture, nationalism, and language. The Fennoman movement eventually led to the Finnish Civil War. Finland declared their independence from Russia on December 6 1917. Two years later, 1919 a constitution was adopted allowing Finland to become a republic nation. This nation was at peace for about twenty years, until the World War II broke out across the European nation. This then led to the Winter War and the Continuation War, after four years of treacherous war Finland won the war. The post-war period ul...

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... percent of Finnish citizens also speak Swedish in their day-to-day life. The official minority language is Karelian, and three Sami dialects; Northern Sami, Southern Sami and Skolt Sami.

Conclusion
Finland is both prestigious and beautiful. It is considered one of the top countries to live in and to visit. Millions of tourists and business travelers visit the great country of Finland every year. They get to experience the wonders and the beauty of the northern lights, the famous saunas, the various historical sites, buildings, and the diversity of foods not commonly found anywhere else. A country so full of rich history and hospitable people, that many would consider it one of the best places to conduct business in. Where else can you have an important business meeting, just wrapped in a towel, in a sauna, with sub-freezing temperatures outside? Only in Finland!

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