Sweden 12, UK 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Raahe, Rauma, Turku

Military
Finland

Military branches:

Finnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense
Forces), Air Force (Suomen Ilmavoimat) (2007)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for male voluntary and compulsory national military
and nonmilitary service; service obligation 6-12 months (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,169,910
females age 16-49: 1,121,187 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 965,131
females age 16-49: 923,224 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 34,152
female: 32,870 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures:

2% of GDP (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues
Finland

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

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

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@France

Introduction
France

Background:

Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered
extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a
dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most
modern countries in the world and is a leader among European
nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid
presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the
instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary
administrations. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation
with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of
Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency,
the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of
efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement
progress toward an EU foreign policy.

Geography
France

Location:

metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and
English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK;
bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic
Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname
Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea a