Finland is a country located in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland. It is the eighth largest country in Europe in terms of area, and the most sparsely populated country in the European Union. Finland has a population of about 5.5 million people and its capital and largest city is Helsinki. The official language is Finnish and the currency is the Euro. Finland is a parliamentary republic with a president as the head of state. The country is known for its natural beauty, with many forests, lakes, and islands. It is also known for its high standard of living and high levels of education.