The Finland is subdivided in six provinces ( läänit in Finnois, län in Swedish), according to a recutting of 1997 replacing the twelve old provinces.

The authority of the province belongs to the executive branch of the central government, a system which rigorously did not change since its creation into 1634. The Finnish provinces are thus only decentralized administrations of the State and do not have a political autonomy, with the exeption of Åland.

The State of the Finland is bilingual since the end of the 19th century (Finnish and Swedish). The governmental offices and administrations use the two languages in contact with the public.

Each province has a provincial office of State ( Lääninhallitus/Länsstyrelse ) which acts as a common provincial authority for seven ministries in the following fields:

• Social and health

• Education and culture
• Administration of the police force
• Organizations first-aid
• Équipement
• Affaires competes with and legal consumption
• Administration

Each authority of provincial administration is directed carried out by a governor ( Maaherra, Landshövding ) named by the president after a proposal of the cabinet. All the appropriations available to the level of the province come from the budget of the State.

The provinces are they same divided into areas, which are 20.

Internal bonds

External bonds

• Offices of the provinces - Official site