The individual parts of the country are not only very different landscape and climate, but also in terms of traditions, culture and cuisine. Lapland in the winter sports season lasts until May. The time of the midnight sun from June to mid July, it is never completely dark. In September, the first frost conjures the colorful spectacle of Ruska. In the south the summer is longer, here it is in midsummer 19 hours of daylight and usually plenty of sunshine.
Winter sports
Skiing is the most popular leisure activity for the Finns in the winter. Excellent marked cross country trails of varying difficulty are partially close to the centers. The trails lead through forests, snow-covered hills to the frozen lakes or the sea. Often the lines are lit. Cross-country skiing is possible in southern and central Finland by the end of March in Lapland until the end of May when the sun already seems to 14-16 hours a day. The winter begins, when the first snow will lie: in Lapland at the end of October, in the rest of Finland in November or December. Lie towards the end of winter in the north and northeast up to 70 cm of snow. Avalanches are rare. The lakes freeze in October in Lapland and in the rest of Finland in November or December. The coastal waters freeze in December.
Although winter temperatures fall far below freezing because of the cold dry air is tolerable. Air and road traffic will be affected by even the toughest winter weather and barely navigable channels of the coastal waters are kept free of ice breakers.
In January, the days grow longer and in April in Helsinki, there are again more than 12 hours of daylight. The snow melt starts in early March, early April in Lapland. Southern Finland is free of snow in April, Northern Finland in May. Southern Finland is free of ice in early May, northern Finland in late May.
Resorts:
Northern Finland: Pallastunturi, Saariselka, Olostunturi, Yllästunturi and Rovaniemi.
Middle Finland: Suommu, Ruka, Isosyote, Vuokatti, Ruuponsaari, Koli, Summassaari, Ahtari, Jyvaskyla, Joutsa and Ruka.
Southern Finland: Ellivuori, Messila, Hyvinkaa and Lahti.
Helsinki and its surroundings
Helsinki 1550 by Swedish king Gustav Vasa gergründet. The 700-year Swedish influence has left its mark. The old wooden base was destroyed and rebuilt several times, but no longer exists today. A feature of this period are the walls of the Suomenlinna fortress (18th century). After the conquest of Finland by the Russian Empire Grand Duchy of Finland became independent under the rule of Russian tsars. 1812 was the turning point in the history of the city: Helsinki was made the capital. The administrative and cultural center of the Senate Square. The Government Palace is located on one side of the square, the university on the other and on the third, the cathedral, which dominates the square.
Helsinki and the cities of Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen located in an area of 800 square kilometers, which is only half built. The other half consists of parks, forests, lakes and coastlines with a rural character. Again and again one comes to historical churches, old mansions and modern buildings of famous Finnish architects of the 20th Century. The Dipoli Hall University of Technology in Otaniemi, the Congress and Concert Hall and the Finlandia Temppeliaukio Church are internationally-known masterpieces of modern architecture. But also buildings from the Romantic era are found, such as the railway station, the National Theater and National Museum.
Helsinki is a vibrant art center with three symphony orchestras: the Helsinki Philharmonic, the Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the National Opera. The new opera house is an important cultural enrichment and entertainment of music lovers come at their expense. The annual highlight is the Helsinki Festival. Many galleries and museums offer a variety of exhibitions, the most popular of which are found in the National Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art and Ateneum. The Sederholm House is the oldest stone building in the city. Here visitors get a glimpse into the life of a wealthy merchant of the city of Helsinki in the 18th Century. Are souvenirs such as ceramics, glassware, jewelry and furniture is available in the shopping streets Roobertinkatu Iso (pedestrian zone), Pohjoisesplanadi, Kaisaniemenkatu, Aleksanterinkatu, Fredikinkatu, Korkeavuorenkatu and Mannerheimintie. On the island there is Korkeansaari Helsinki Zoo, all year round and is seen in the animals from the Arctic and mountain regions, such as snow leopards and musk oxen are. In Seurasaari Regional Park and the outdoor museum you walk in the footsteps of Finnish folk tradition. Here, traditional folk dances and concerts are held. In winter, the park is excellent for skiing and sledding. Worth a visit is the Botanic Garden, University of Helsinki.
Holiday Destinations: Espoo (Esbo), Helsinki (Helsingfors) and Vantaa (Vanda).
The Southwest and the land Islands
This region is also known as the cradle of Finnish civilization.
Finland’s west coast lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, both of which belong to the Baltic Sea. The coastline is 4600 km long and consists of many bays and islands.
Coast and islands consist mainly of red and gray granite, which rises high above the sea level anywhere. On the Baltic, there are hardly rare in the summer high tides and surf. The salt content is low, because little salt water passes from the North Sea through the Skagerrak (north tip of Denmark) to Finland and due to the numerous rivers and regular rainfall. The land rises from year to year on year over the sea, at the narrowest part of the Gulf of Bothnia up to 9 mm.
In the Southwest and on the agricultural islands, it is the warmest. Here grow deciduous trees, fruit and vegetables are grown. 20% of the arable land lies here. A large part of the Swedish-speaking population lives here, especially on the agricultural islands where only Swedish is spoken on the islands off the southern coast of Turku. Most cities also have Swedish names (in parentheses).
Holiday Destinations: Tammisaari (Ekenas), Hamina (Fredrikshamn), Hanko (Hanko), Hyvinkaa (Hyvinge), Hämeenlinna (Hameenlinna), Kotka, Kouvola, Kuusankoski, Lohja (Lojo) Maarianhamina (Mariehamn), and the land Islands, Naantali ( Ndendala), Pargas (Pargas), Pori (Björneborg), Porvoo (Borg), Rauma (Raumo), Riihimaki, Turku (bo) and Uusikaupunki (Nystad).
The Finnish Lakeland
This region is particularly important in summer because of the popular crystal clear lakes. Most of the 188,000 lakes lie in the south. They are linked by rivers and canals, and formerly represented a major transportation network, but today the practice countless islands, headlands, bays and large areas of water from a great attraction. The lakes are not very deep and are quickly heated by the sun. In summer there are numerous events and it offers excellent starting points for fishing, cycling, rowing, canoeing and hiking in the surrounding area.
The Western Lakes
Jyväskylä, Tampere, Lahti and Hämeenlinna belong to this region, which is formed of two large waterways. The older of the two, the Silver Line runs from Hämeenlinna (the birthplace of the composer Sibelius) in densely populated agricultural land over to Tampere. Lahti, a winter sports center, is located on elevated banks of Lake Päijänne, where steep cliffs up to 200 m . towering The city of Jyväskylä is on the other side of the lake known for its modern architecture.
The Eastern Lakes
The enormous power of the Saimaa lake covered much of this region. This region has 33 000 islands, the shoreline is 50,000 km. Between the lively lakeside towns are mostly wrong on the water, are particularly pretty Savonlinna (with the well-preserved medieval castle Olavinlinna) and Kuopio, where you can taste the specialty Kalakukko (fish and pork pie). Takes place every July at Schloss Olavinlinna the internationally renowned Savonlinna Opera Festival.
The Finnish Forest
Most forest areas are so remote that the rugged beauty of vast coniferous forests, with their clean rivers and lakes has been preserved to this day. North Karelia (Pohjois-Karjala) in the southern forest region east of Lake Pielinen. Of the E. coli levels (350 m) has a wonderful view over the lakes. A large part of the Greek Orthodox population of Finland lives in Karelia.
Kainuu, the romantic Oulojärvi region around the lake, consists of vast forests, swamps, deep lakes and rapids. Vuokatti, near Sotkamo, is an ideal cross-country ski area.
Holiday Destinations: Iisalmi, Imatra, Joensuu, Jyvaskyla, Kajaani, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta (Villmanstrand), Lieksa, Mikkeli (St Michel), Nurmes, Savonlinna (Nyslott), Tampere (Tampere), Valkeakoski and Varkaus.
The West Coast
The region of Pohjanmaa (Ostrobothnia) on the west coast is an important agricultural region. Near Kalajoki are the most beautiful sand dunes and beaches. On the islands between Vaasa and Kokkola, there are numerous ancient fishing villages. The Hailuoto with its interesting wildlife can be reached by ferry from Oulu, the largest commercial and university city in the region.
Picturesque wooden houses belong to the coastal cities of the cityscape. The old traditions survive in numerous regional festivals, where the Pelimanni play music that is passed on for generations from father to son. Many Swedish-speaking Finns are on this coast. The administration building of the town of Seinäjoki in the interior were designed by Alvar Aalto. 80 km southeast of the Seinäjoki Ähtäri-animal park.
The largest town in the region just south of the Arctic Circle to the east is Kuusamo. In this small town there are cozy cafes, small shops and shops with factory outlets. During the summer months there in the marketplace bustling with activity. The area of Kuusamo is suitable for a relaxing break as well as for active holidays. In a little north of the city Oulanka National Park to shoot the rapids through deep gorges. Here 30 species of mammals, 7,000 different insects and 130 species of birds. Ruka Fell, the highest mountain and the most famous ski resort in Finland, is a paradise for hikers in summer and in winter mecca for skiers. Among the myriad of lakes include Kitka, Muo, Kuusamo and Suininkijärvisee.
Holiday Destinations: Pietarsaari (Jakobstad), Kokkola (Karleby), Oulu (Uleborg), Raahe (Brahestad), Seinäjoki and Vaasa (Vasa).
Lapland
In the vastness of the Pacific Lapland, visitors can relax wonderfully. The Finnish Lapland (population: 200,000) covers 100 000 square kilometers with large swamps, uninhabited areas and many rivers. In the valleys grow pines and firs. In the far north, the treeless tundra.
There are only four major cities: Rovaniemi (provincial capital), Kemijärvi, Tornio and Kemi. Outside these cities Lapland with only 2 people per square kilometer is almost deserted. This 3900 live and 600 Skolt cloth rag (members of the Orthodox Church). In this area there are a total of 200,000 reindeer. Between September and January, the animals are rounded up in March and really held competitions that attract drivers from all over Lapland reindeer. You can pursue leisure activities in the fresh air, such as canoeing, hiking, or search for gold. Hikers can arrange overnight cabins available. In summer the sun shines 24 hours and temperatures up to 30C, the best season to grow fish. Autumn begins in late August with a colorful splendor leaves. The nights are very cold. The first snow falls in part at the end of September.
Eastern Lapland
Popular winter sports areas are Suomutunturi (the Arctic Circle) and the mountains Pyhatunturi, Luostotunturi and Saariselkä. Saariselka is a central meeting place for wilderness hiking and winter sports enthusiasts. Hikers can from here on exciting trips through beautiful nature of Lapland, such as recordable set off by the Urho Kaleva Kekkonen-(UKK) National Park. Trails are well marked. The varied landscape is dominated by fells, streams, rivers and deep green forests. Cycling has to offer Saariselkä several marked mountain bike routes. Beginning of the century broke out in the area of the gold rush and today travelers can follow in the footsteps of the gold, or even try their luck.
In the summer and Simo Porttikoski traditional lumberjack competitions are held. In Tankavaara gold is washed. The village of Inari is located on the shores of Lake Inari, Finland’s third largest lake. On one of the 3,000 islands of the lake is an old Sami sacrificial site. The Sami Museum is dedicated to the history of Lapland. In the middle of the wilderness is the Pielpajärvi Church. Riverside Lemmenjoki, which flows into Lake Inari is also washed gold. In Lemmenjoki National Park, there are marked trails for hiking through the rugged beauty of Lapland.
Western Lapland
The western part of Finnish Lapland is higher and very different landscape from the east. The best known of the impressive, barely clad mountains are Yllästunturi, Olostunturi and Pallastunturi. On the border between Finland, Norway and Sweden are the mountains Haltia (1300 m) and Saana (1029 m). Annunciation, a holiday in March, is celebrated in the Lapp village Hetta colorful.
