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Administrative divisions 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani (Southern Finland), Ita-Suomen Laani (Eastern Finland), Lansi-Suomen Laani (Western Finland), Lappi (Lapland), Oulun Laani
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	60 10 N, 24 56 E
Constitution	1 March 2000
Corruption	9.6		[2nd of 160]
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	APO AE 09723
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament
Executive branch > Chief of state President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)
Flag description white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Government type	republic
Independence 6 December 1917 (from Russia)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)
Legal system civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)
Parliamentary seats > Female	37%		[2nd of 143]
Political parties and leaders Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance or VAS [Martti KORHONEN] (composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative); National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Eero HEINALUOMA]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True Finns [Timo SOINI]
Status democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Time required to start a business > days	14 days		[148th of 171]
Trademarks, residents	2,598		[28th of 98]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands

Interesting facts on Finnish Government

• Got a parking ticket in Finland? Better just pay up - it is the least corrupt nation in the world.

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