The concept of ‘Finland as an Island’: an external reappraisal

Authors

  • Robert Lee University of Liverpool

Abstract

For a considerable time, the concept of Finland as a peripheral ‘island’ in northern Europe dependent to a large extent on maritime trade and overseas commerce has dominated its historiography. Such an approach is understandable. A very high proportion of its foreign trade was seaborne; over one-third of its external borders were coastal; and urbanization was driven primarily by the growth of ports and maritime communities. A wide range of occupations and activities were directly related to the sea and long-term changes in the maritime economy had a direct effect on the structure of Finnish society and family life.

Section
Artikkelit

Published

2021-06-28

How to Cite

Lee, R. (2021). The concept of ‘Finland as an Island’: an external reappraisal. Nautica Fennica, 2018(1), 26–45. Retrieved from https://journal.fi/nauticafennica/article/view/107935