Finland and Sweden share a long history, similar legal systems, and an economic and social model.

The number of Finnish-Swedish connections and the quality of cooperation in most areas of the government is unique when compared to other international relations involving both countries.

The Swedish language has an official status in Finland, whilst Finns form the largest ethnic minority in Sweden, estimated to be about 675,000.

[1] Relationships are maintained at the highest political level on a regular basis, and interactions between public authorities and civil society are very strong.

Finland has an embassy in Stockholm, consulate general in Gothenburg and 21 consulates in Borlänge, Borås, Eskilstuna, Gävle, Haparanda, Halmstad, Karlshamn, Karlskoga, Karlstad, Landskrona, Luleå, Malmö, Norrköping, Oskarshamn, Skellefteå, Sundsvall, Trollhättan, Uppsala, Umeå, Visby and Västerås.

As in the Scandinavian part of the kingdom, a gentry or (lower) nobility consisted of magnates and yeomen who could afford armament for a man and a horse.

After the Black Death and internal power struggles in Sweden, Queen Margaret I of Denmark united the Nordic countries in the Union of Kalmar in 1397, with the approval of the Swedish nobility.

Finland was sometimes involved in these struggles, but in general the 15th century seems to have been a relatively prosperous time, characterized by population growth and economic development.

The Principality of Moscow conquered Novgorod, preparing the way for a unified Russia, and soon tensions arose with Sweden.

The state administration underwent extensive reforms and development too, giving it a much stronger grip on the life of local communities as well as the ability to collect higher taxes.

Following the policies of the Reformation, in 1551, Mikael Agricola, bishop of Åbo ( Turku ) , published his translation of the New Testament into the Finnish language.

The common people of Finland suffered during this period because of drafts, high taxes, and abuse by military personnel.

Farmers from the province of Savonia settled the vast wilderness regions in Middle Finland, and the original Sami population often had to leave.

The League of Nations solved the dispute by not changing the border, but requiring Swedish to remain the spoken language of Åland.

This is due to the countries' differing histories: Finland's traumatic experiences during World War II have left their mark on Finnish society and the country has thus maintained a larger preparedness for crisis, whereas Sweden cut back on its preparedness after the end of the Cold War and decided to use the funds for other purposes.