Finland Travel Guide
- Official name: Republic of Finland , Suomen tasavalta
Republiken Finland .
- Capital: Helsinki
- Language: : Finnish 93. 4%, Swedish 5.9%
- Religion: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%
- Currency : Euro
Finland Sights and Museums
Helsinki , the capital, is surrounded by parks, forests, shoreline and lakes. It is also endowed with historical sights as well as buildings by the best-known Finnish architects; Dipoli Hall at the Helsinki University of Technology in Otaniemi is an internationally acclaimed 20th-century masterpiece. Senate Square in Helsinki , with its cathedral, is perhaps Finland 's most photographed building. The Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress is the world's largest maritime fortress and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Helsinki has numerous museums, a rich musical life and a wide variety of exhibitions and events.
Along Finland 's coastline, in the Eastern areas of the archipelago, are the islands of Kimito, with its islets, and Särkisalo. Bengtskär Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries. It has been refurbished and houses a museum, chapel, cafe and hotel.
See Finland 's oldest city: Turku . The country's former capital city boasts a magnificent medieval castle, a fine cathedral and several stylish restaurants and intriguing museums. Enjoy the wonderful craftwork in the Luostarinmaki Handicrafts Museum .
Go to southwest Finland and the Åland Islands , the warmest part of the country. For historical reasons, a large proportion of the Swedish-speaking population of Finland lives in this region and the region must be seen if only for the fact it is often spoken of as the cradle of Finnish civilisation: the area has a larger concentration of granite churches and manors than elsewhere.
Gaze at any of Finland 's 180,000 lakes; most are situated between the coastal area and the eastern frontier, covering an area some 100km ( 60 miles ) wide. The country's Lakeland is a veritable maze with its profusion of bays, headlands and islands. Sometimes they open out into broader stretches. They are linked to each other by rivers, straits and canals forming waterways which in former times were a principal means of communication. Nowadays, they are attractive routes for the tourist. As the lakes are usually shallow and the surrounding land is not high, the water soon becomes warm in summer. The interconnected lakes of the eastern regions is dominated by Lake Saimaa , a vast expanse of water. Dotted over the surface is a network of waterways that joins the lively Savo towns. The Western Lakeland comprises two major waterways, the oldest of which, the Finnish Silverline, runs between Hämeenlinna, birthplace of Sibelius, and Tampere , through fertile agricultural lands which are fairly densely populated.
Venture into Savonlinna, an enchanting town that boasts the best preserved medieval castle in Scandinavia , the Olavinlinna Castle .
The west coast area of Ostrobothnia, with its long sandy beaches (and the dunes of Kalajoki), is an agricultural region with a sunny drier climate than elsewhere. The Sanifani Spa is located in Kalajoki.
Discover the interesting fauna of Hailuoto Island , which can be reached by ferry from Oulu , the area's chief commercial and university centre. Picturesque old wooden houses are still a feature of the coastal towns.
Go the Finnish Lapland region and search for a sight of the rare golden cloudberry.
Watch some 200,000 reindeer roam freely on the fells around the Finnish Lapland. They are the property of different owners. There are reindeer round-ups from September to January and special reindeer-driving competitions take place in March with participants from all over Lapland .
Meet Santa on the Arctic Circle . His office is open daily.
Go to Haltia Fell, the highest range in Finland , at 1300m (4265ft), and Saana Fell, 1029m (3376ft), which lie on the border between Finland , Norway and Sweden .
Finland Entertainment
There are lots of events going on in Finland year round but we have selected some of the best for you to look out for:
MARCH
Tar Skiing Race ( Oulu ): This cross-country ski race was established more than a century ago and has been held almost every year since then. In March hundreds of participants from around the world show up to compete on the 76km racecourse - www.arktisetvalot.fi
JUNE
Midnight Sun Film Festival (Sodankylä): Held each June, this is the world's northernmost film festival, featuring works by well-known directors as well as new names in the industry .
Kuopio Dance and Musical Festival ( Kuopio ): This is Scandinavia 's oldest drama festival, held in late June and the first week of July; distinguished performers and troupes from all over the world come to participate. There's a different theme each year.
JULY
Savonlinna Opera Festival (Savonlinna): Dating back to 1912, this annual event takes place in July; there are usually classic operas, supplemented by Finnish works. Every year from early July to early August the festival stages three or four of its own productions and hosts visiting opera companies from abroad - www.operafestival.fi
AUGUST
Helsinki Festival: Beginning in mid-August, international artists come to Helsinki to perform chamber music and recitals, or to present visual arts exhibits, dance programs, film screenings and theatrical performances in the theatre, as well as opera, jazz, pop, and rock concerts -- and lots more - www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi
Finland Transports
-To get there by Air: There are daily flight connections from cities right across Europe, as well as an extensive network of Asian destinations and flights from North America. Many airlines fly to Finland , usually to the efficient and modern Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport .
By Water: Finland is easy to reach by sea from Sweden , Estonia and Germany throughout the year.
By Rail: There are three daily trains from Russia to Finland .
By Road: There are many ways to come to Finland by bus or by car. There are 8 official border-crossing places between Finland and Russia , 6 between Finland and Norway and 10 between Finland and Sweden .
Once you have arrived in Finland , fast, comfortable and punctual trains (including high speed Pendolinos) and buses run throughout the country. For motorists, the road network extends to the most remote wilderness areas, while several airlines, including Finnair and Blue 1, serve more than 20 domestic airports across the country.
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