Finland's Classical Music System and Competitiveness?

"Nordic countries have some of the world's most competitive economies, despite high taxes and extensive social security systems, with Finland in the lead, according to a study issued Wednesday.

In the study, the Geneva-based World Economic Forum set the United States second after Finland in its annual competitiveness league but recorded growing business concern over the Bush administration's handling of the nation's finances.

Apart from Finland, four other Nordic nations -- Sweden at third, Denmark at fourth, Iceland at seventh and Norway at ninth -- were among the top 10 in the table issued with the Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2005.

The others in the top 10 were Taiwan, Singapore, Switzerland and Australia."

Reuters "Study: U.S. economy not most competitive" via cnnmoney.com









Those classical music composing -- and highly competitive -- Nordic reindeer?

Photo Credit: Fred Grinberg/United Nations Environmental Program/Topham

'Last remaining population of reindeer (30,000) in Norway share their range with 2 million sheep. Dependent on migration their traditional routes are disrupted by infrastructure development and over grazed.'