Not only whole villages, but even many entire districts, are still very little affected by Russian influence.

This is to be explained partly by geographical conditions.

In regions which have a poor soil, and are intersected by no navigable river, there are few or no Russian settlers, and consequently the Finns have there preserved intact their language and customs; whilst in those districts which present more inducements to colonisation, the Russian population is more numerous, and the Finns less conservative.

It must, however, be admitted that geographical conditions do not completely explain the facts.

The various tribes, even when placed in the same conditions, are not equally susceptible to foreign influence.