Finland is a country in Northern Europe with a population of just over 5.5 million people who speak two languages: Swedish and Finnish. The capital of the republic is the city of Helsinki. The country gained its independence only in 1917, it borders on Norway, Sweden and Russia, there is a maritime border with Estonia. Russians like to come to Finland, first of all, to celebrate the authentic New Year, because these are deer, northern lights and Santa Claus, whose name in the language of this country is almost impossible to pronounce right away. In addition, these are wonderful baths, ski resorts, and the whole country is a sightseeing treasury of the world.
Province of South Karelia
The region borders on the Russian Federation and includes 9 communities, 2 of which are urban. Lappeenranta is a Finnish city and the cultural, administrative and economic center of the province. Only 72,000 people live here, but this is a truly tourist city on Lake Saimaa, which is the fourth largest in all of Europe.
The city was founded in 1649, and inIn 1741, Russian troops defeated the Swedes under this settlement. In the 19th century, a resort, the Saimaa Canal, was opened, and tourism began to develop rapidly. What to see in the city?
| Lappeenranta Fortress | It was erected as a border fortress, which was part of the fortification between Finland and Russia. Fights were constantly fought for it, it was occupied either by the Swedes or by the Russians. |
| South Karelian Museum |
Earlier there were artillery depots in this building. Here you can learn a lot of interesting things about the Karelian Isthmus and the history of South Karelia. |
| Orthodox Church | Founded in 1786 and to this day you can hear the evening ringing of the Karelian Hills here in the evenings |
| Aeronautics Museum | This is a new aviation museum opened in 2000. There are many aircraft and other items related to aeronautics here |
There are many more interesting places here: Lauritsala church, Hinkanranta beach and sand castle. In this Finnish city, there are many stores where Russians leave about 200 million euros (14 billion rubles) a year.
Imatra is a small city of 30,000 people, but travelers have been visiting it for decades. There are many ski resorts, the total length of all slopes is more than 100 kilometers. The longest route on the Mellonmäki slope, but such funfor professional athletes. But the main attraction is the waterfall surrounded by avant-garde monuments. There are also rapids here, which have somewhat lost their attractiveness after the construction of the hydroelectric power station, but here, according to the schedule, the water is released under the magnificent light and musical accompaniment.
Varsinais-Suomi Province
These places are also called true Finland. The region includes 28 communities, 11 of which are urban.
It is in this province that an interesting Finnish city is located - Turku. After all, this is the former capital of the country and in importance it is the second city. It is here that the port is located, where communication with the Åland Islands and Sweden is carried out. And Turku Airport is the second in the whole country in terms of air cargo.
For the first time there are mentions of the city from the 11th-12th centuries, already in the 13th century 2 schools operated here, and in 1640 the first Finnish university appeared.
Where tourists are expected:
- Turku Castle, the oldest part was built in 1280. And in the 16th century it was the residence of the Swedish king.
- The Luostarinmäki Crafts Museum on Monastic Hill, where 18 houses and 30 workshops have been preserved.
- The Aboa Vetus Museum is a whole medieval quarter where you can walk and look into the windows of houses.
- Museum-diorama, located from the islands to the hills of Lapland. There are 130 species of birds and 30 species of mammals in wildlife here.
- Tuomiokirkko Cathedral - the main temple of the country.
Pirkanmaa Province
This area is located in the southwestern part of the country. There are 22 communities in the province.
One of the most attractive cities in Finland in this area is Tampere. There are about 200 lakes and ponds on the territory of the settlement. This is the first industrial city of the state, and in 1879 the first light bulb in all of Scandinavia was lit at the Finlayson factory.
In the central part of the city, the church of St. Alexander and St. Herman (1896-1899). There is an observation tower "Nyasinneula" with a height of 168 meters, which is a symbol of the city. There is even a Lenin Museum in Tampere, this is the first such institution that was opened outside the USSR.
South Savo Province
This area is considered the most environmentally friendly region of the country. The most famous in the list of cities in Finland is Mikkeli. There is a monument to Gustav Mannerheim on foot. In the very center of the city there is the observation tower "Naisvuori" surrounded by the market square and several parks. The streets of the settlement are almost all flat and are decorated depending on the season with spruce branches or flowers. Mikkeli is the festival capital of the country and a city at the intersection of 5 roads. It is here that tourists from Russia most often come, and from here they are already leaving all over Finland.
Kuopio is a relatively small town surrounded by northern lakes, combining the history of the state and modernity. The first mention of this city in Finland is in the chronicles from 1549of the year. Here you should definitely visit Mount Puyo, which is located in the central part and is covered with a dense forest. Another open-air attraction is the Kuopio Quarter, where there are 11 houses, the interior of which is reproduced exactly the same as that of the local merchants of the 19th century. And on the island of Vaayasalo, literally 15 minutes from the city, there is a wine plantation where you can not only look at plantations with grapes, but also taste local wine and national cuisine.
Capital
The largest city in Finland is Helsinki, where more than 630 thousand people live. The capital is located in the southern part of the state on the Gulf of Finland. Together with satellite cities (12 communes), the metropolitan area has 1.3 million people.
The date of foundation is considered to be 1550, so there are many interesting places in the village:
- Senate Square and the Cathedral (1852). There is also a university, a monument to Alexander II, the Senate building.
- Assumption Cathedral (1868).
- Suomenlinna Fortress (1748).
- Seurasaari Museum Island.
- Temppeliaukio Church.
From modern entertainment to the services of vacationers: the rock club "Tavastia", the water park "Serena", the zoo "Korkeasaari" and the amusement park "Linnanmäki".
Finland is a country of a thousand lakes - ready to receive tourists at any time of the year, it has many attractions, ski resorts and magnificent forests.
