Finnish-Swedish border
A Swedish and a Finnish town, separated nearly 200 years ago, have announced that they’re getting back together. The Swedish town of Tornio was split in two in 1809 in a border treaty with Russia, which then controlled what is now Finland. The Finnish half kept the name Tornio, but the Swedish half called itself Haparanda. Locals of the towns speak both Finnish and Swedish, and already share a high school and a water plant. Now they plan to build a common main street, merge their bus services, and use both currencies. But there’s no word yet on what the two cities will do about their different time zones.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Does Reform have a Russia problem?Talking Point Nigel Farage is ‘in bed with Putin’, claims Rachel Reeves, after party’s former leader in Wales pleaded guilty to taking bribes from the Kremlin
-
Five key questions about the Gaza peace dealThe Explainer Many ‘unresolved hurdles’ remain before Donald Trump’s 20-point plan can get the go-ahead
-
See the Northern Lights from these bucket list destinationsThe Week Recommends The dazzling displays can be spotted across Iceland, Sweden and parts of Canada
