Finland and Sweden share a long history, religion, legal system and  economic and social model together. Finland was part of Sweden for almost 700 years from around 1150 until the Finnish War of 1809 that saw Finland becoming an autonomous part of Russia as the Grand Duchy of Finland. Since Finland gained its full independence from Russia in 1917 the two countries have been close partners enjoying a Special Relationship. The number of Finnish-Swedish connections and the quality of cooperation in most areas of the government is unique when compared to other international relations in both countries. Swedish language has an official status in Finland whilst Finns form the largest ethnic minority in Sweden, estimated to be about 675 000.