, Hungarian, by far the biggest language of the Ugric group. The official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish, the latter spoken as a mother tongue by about 6 % of the people. Another indigenous minority language is Sami, spoken by the Sami people (also known as Lapps) of Lapland. The official status of Swedish has historical roots in the period when Finland was a part of the Swedish realm, a period that lasted from the beginning of the 13th century until 1809. The number of foreign citizens living permanently in Finland was about 85 000 in 1999. The biggest groups were from the neighbouring countries Russia, Estonia and Sweden.ReligionThere has been complete freedom of worship in Finland since 1923. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the country's biggest denomination : 89 % of the people are baptised as Lutherans while 1 % belong to the Finnish Orthodox Church. Christianity, represented by the Roman Catholic Church, reached Finland before the end of the first millennium but the Church was not firmly established in the country until the 12th century. This followed a missionary expedition to south-west Finland led by King Erik of Sweden accompanied by the English-born bishop Henry. The influence of the Orthodox faith spread into the country from the east.Some important dates in the history of Finland: 1155 The first missionaries arrive in Finland from Sweden. Finland becomes part of the Swedish realm. 1809 Sweden surrenders Finland to Russia. The Czar declares Finland a semi-autonomous Grand Duchy with himself as constitutional monarch represented by a governor general. 1917Finland declares independence from Russia on December 6. 1919The constitution is adopted and Finland becomes a republic with a president as head of state. 1939 - 40The Soviet Union attacks Finland and the Winter War is fought. 1941 - 44Fighting between Finnish and Soviet forces resumes in the Continuation War. Some territory is ceded to the Soviet Union but ...
