Nina Waenerberg, Sanna Turunen and Emmi Katajamäki

The Population of Finland 

History of the settlement and the development of the population 

The colonization of Finland started soon after the glacial period. For a long time hunting and fishing were the means of livelihood of the early settlers. Overall, the settlement remained sparse and as late as in the 13th there was permanent settlement only in small part of Finland. The history of settlement in Finland has very much been dependent on the natural conditions. When choosing dwelling places, waterways have played an important role. They have been an excellent traffic route and a source of food for early settlers. Up to 16th century the inhabitation was centred on the coastal line, in the lake areas of Middle-Finland and on the riversides of Ostrobothnia.