Country Information

Capital: Helsinki

Time zone: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September.)

Telephone services: Country Code: 358
Outgoing Code: 990 (for international enquiries from Finland dial 92020).

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:-Helsinki Police – 002, Doctor – 008 Ambulance and Fire – 000.

Tourist information: Finnish Tourist Board, 30 – 35 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5LP Tel: (020) 7839 4048 or 930 5871 (trade only) Fax: (020) 7321 0696.

Passport information: Valid passports are required by all except the following nationals providing they hold a valid ID card, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Not required by the following nationals: Nationals of Great Britain (holders of British Hong Kong passports do require a visa), Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan. NOTE: Many other nationals do not require visas – check with the nearest authority for a complete up to date list of visa requirements for Finland.

Health information: No information available at present.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: In common with12 Member States of the European Union (EU), here the Euro is the currency.
There are seven different banknotes and eight coins of the Euro.
Each participating EU country has coins with one common side and a reverse side specific to each country, while the banknotes look the same throughout the euro area.

All major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted throughout the country. US dollars are the preferred currency.

ATM availability: Over 2,000 locations.

Cost of living: Relatively expensive. Similar to other Scandinavian countries.

Languages: Finnish. Swedish and English may also be spoken.

Weather: The climate is temperate, but with considerable variation in temperatures. Summers are warm whilst winters Oct – Mar are very cold. The North has snow cover from mid Oct to mid May.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are continental 2 pin type.

Post: 3 days within Europe.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Cheap tickets can be found to the various airports throughout the country. RAIL: Cheap and efficient, various discount schemes operate depending on status e.g. group travel ‘Interail’ and ‘Scanrail’. ROAD: A well developed road system, use of horns is frowned upon and signs will indicate warnings of reindeer and other wildlife when collision are possible. BUS: An excellent network of routes are available offering cheap offers to specific groups. CAR HIRE: Normally drivers should have at least 1 years driving experience. DOCUMENTATION: Usually National or IDP is required with insurance. A ‘Green’ card is recommended.

Special information: Finnish people often appear reserved, many do not enter into idle chatter easily. They are always helpful and are known to be warm and friendly once you get to know them. PHOTOGRAPHY: Check with the Russian Embassy if you wish to take photos near the Western border. During the summer mosquitoes and gnats can be nuisance, especially in the North where a good supply of repellent is recommended.

Capital: Havana

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 53
Outgoing Code: 00. (From Havana only. All other international calls must go through the operator.)

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 26811

Tourist information: Cuba Tourist Office, 167 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6PA Tel: (020) 7240 6655. Fax: (020) 7240 6656.

Passport information: Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the length of stay. Return ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Holders of a tourist card. Nationals of Barbados for stays of up to 1 days. Nationals of CIS (except Uzbekistan), Czech Republic, Hungary, Mongolia, Namibia, Slovak Republic. Nationals of certain countries travelling on certain kinds of official business. – Enquire at the consulate.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Low risk present.
Other Health Risks: Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Cuban Peso (Cub$) = 100 centavos.
At official tourist shops purchases can only be made in US Dollars.
Exchange: Should only be made at authorised money exchanges as there are severe penalties for black market money exchanging.
NOTE Keep all exchange receipts which will be required when making purchases. Do not enter the place or date details on any cheque until ready to make the transaction or the cheque will be refused. The import of local currency is prohibited. Generally a maximum of Cub$ 10 can be reconverted to foreign currency when leaving on presentation of an official exchange form.
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. US Dollars (but not drawn from a US bank) and Sterling are accepted in travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Not as expensive as some of the other Caribbean Islands.

Languages: Spanish. English and French may also be spoken.

Weather: Hot all year round. Raining season May – Oct. Hurricane possible Aug – Nov. Cooler between Nov – Apr.

Electricity: 110/220 volts Ac 60 Hz. American style plugs are used except for large hotels, which may use European type plugs

Post: Can take up to several weeks.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Cubana operates scheduled services between the main towns. It is essential to book in advance. Avoid flights on older soviet aircraft as some risk is involved. Transatlantic and some regional flights are serviced by more modern DC-10 aircraft.

Special information: The tourist industry is rapidly developing with a growing tolerance of Western influences. Visitors should be alert for bag snatchers and other street theft especially in the area of Old Havana and major tourist sites. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Avoid restricted areas and military zones which are NOT always well signposted. Shorts should only be worn at the beach or pool. The penalties for drug trafficking are severe.

Capital: Suva

Time zone: GMT + 12

Telephone services: Country Code: 679
Outgoing Code: International calls are made through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 000.

Tourist information: Fiji Visitors Bureau, PO Box 9217, Nadi Airport, Suva Fiji. Tel: 302 433 Fax: 300 907.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all and must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry. Return ticket required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa Required by all except nationals of: Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and Venezuela. UK, Australia, USA, Canada, EU countries (except nationals of Portugal who do need visas), Commonwealth countries (except nationals of India, South Africa, Sri Lanka who do need visas.)

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate will be required of arriving from an infected area. (Excluding those under 1 year of age)

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents.
NOTE: Export of local currency is limited to F$100, export of foreign currency as cash is limited to F$500.

All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques, preferably in Australian dollars, can be easily exchanged.

ATM availability: 10 locations .

Cost of living: Can be expensive in the tourist centres, but cheaper dormitory-style accommodation is gradually being introduced. Different islands cater for different needs and are budgeted accordingly.

Languages: Fijian and Hindi. English is widely spoken

Weather: Tropical climate, raining season = Dec – Apr.

Electricity: 240 Volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Up to 10 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Shuttle services are available between islands, although more expensive than other methods. SEA: Ferries operate inexpensive crossings between islands. Arrangements should be confirmed before the vessel leaves port. ROAD: Car Hire is available DOCUMENTATION: Foreign driving licence is acceptable. TAXI: Metered in towns. BUS: Services operate between large towns and on suburban routes. ROAD: Car Hire is available TAXI: Metered in towns. BUS: Services operate between large towns and on suburban routes.

Special information: EXTREME RISK: THE FCO ADVISE AGAINST ALL TRAVEL TO SUVA AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF VITI LEVU FOR THE TIME BEING.The FCO Advise against all non-essential travel to Fiji due to the attemted coup in may. There have been incidences of violence and looting and a curfew is currently in place. Beach-wear is not acceptable in towns. Petty Crime is on the increase in Urban Areas.

Capital: Cidade de Praia

Time zone: GMT – 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 238
Outgoing Code: Outgoing calls must go through the local operator

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 87

Tourist information: Ministry of Tourism, Palacio Do Governo, Praia, São Tiago, Cape Verde Tel: 615 697 Fax: 613 897.

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all with a minimum validity of at least 6 months. Return ticket required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except national of the following countries, Benin Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Take precautions.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination certificate required from visitors over one years of age arriving from an area where incidents of yellow fever have been reported within the last six years.
Other Health Risks: Cholera

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Cape Verde Escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos
CC: Not usually accepted.
Note: Import and export of local currency is prohibited. Import of foreign currency unlimited but declaration on arrival required. Maximum export of foreign currency is CVEsc 25000 or the amount declared on arrival, whichever is the larger.
Credit cards are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Tourism is very undeveloped but this may change with the government’s recent decision to promote tourism.

Languages: Portuguese, Creole and some English and French

Weather: Temperate with a low rainfall.

Electricity: 220 Volts 50 Hz

Post: To and from Europe over 1 week.

Transport: ROAD: There are 2250km of road on the islands of which one third are paved. There is currently a road improvement programme taking place. BUS: Services are satisfactory. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended.

Special information: Usual European social courtesies should be observed.

Capital: Port Stanley

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 500
Outgoing Code: 0

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 999

Tourist information: Falkland Islands Tourist Board, Old Transmitting Station, Stanley, East Falkland Tel: 22215 or 22281 Fax: 22619.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return ticket required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa Required by all except nationals of EU and commonwealth countries, Chile, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey and Uruguay. NOTE: Completion of visitor forms from the government office is required before, or on, arrival.

Health information: No information available at present

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: Falkland Islands Pound (FI£) = 100 pence. FE facilities available in Stanley and the Standard Chartered Bank.

Cheques issued by the main UK bank (up to £50) can be cashed with a valid cheque card. Credit cards have only a limited acceptance.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Comparable with United Kingdom but tends to be more expensive, due to the importation of most requirements.

Languages: English.

Weather: Temperate climate conditioned by the surrounding sea.

Electricity: 240 Volts AC, 50 HZ

Post: 4 -7 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Light aircraft services can be used to travel between most of the Islands. ROAD: A 4 -wheel drive is recommended if travelling outside the capital where vehicles may become bogged down.

Special information: To visit the Falkland Islands an application has to be made to the Falklands Islands Government as they provide the transportation. The islands are made up of a small population, living in and around the capital.

Capital: Gaborone

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 267
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 351161

Tourist information: Dept of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Private Bag, 0047, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: 353 024 or 313 314 Fax: 308 675

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all and must be valid for 6 months. Return ticket required. May be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: No information available at present.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Falciparum variety present.
Other Health Risks: Rabies; Bilharzia; Cholera; Rabies; Ticks; Sleeping sickness present.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Pula (P) = 100 thebes Note: Export of local currency is limited to P500.
Credit cards are accepted on a limited basis. Travellers cheques are accepted, but the surcharge may be high.
ATM availability: 27 locations.

Cost of living: Comparable with western Europe.

Languages: English and Setswana.

Weather: Oct to Apr – Hot and Wet season. May to Sept – Cooler and Drier.

Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, 50 Hz Plugs – 13 amp socket.

Post: 1 – 3 weeks by airmail

Transport: AIR, RAIL AND BUS: Major cities are linked by these networks. ROAD: tarmac roads are limited mostly being sand tracks. Reserves of water and fuel should always be taken. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended for stays up to 6 months, after which a Botswana driving license must be obtained.

Special information: Casual clothing is acceptable. Respect for the traditional way of life must be displayed. Do not take photographs of airports, official residences and military and defence establishments.