Why do most people in Finland live in the southern third of the country?

The concentration of the population in the southern third of Finland is primarily driven by the country's climate. While Finland is one of the world's most northern countries, the southern regions benefit from a milder environment compared to the north, where areas above the Arctic Circle experience extremely severe and prolonged winters with temperatures that can drop as low as −22 °F (−30 °C).12

In contrast, the southern part of the country experiences less extreme temperature variations due to the influence of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf Stream, which help moderate the climate. Historically, this region has also provided more favorable conditions for settlement, featuring the most extensive stretches of fertile farmland and the longest continuous history of habitation. Consequently, the majority of Finland's major urban centers, including the capital, Helsinki, are located along the southern coast.1342