Finland

The Republic of Finland

Finland is a country of snowy expanses and mountain peaks, pure lakes, archipelagos and dense forests. It attracts tourists with its history and traditions that are reflected in the city's architecture, festivals, and Finnish cuisine.

Finland is located in Northern Europe, on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The south and west coast is remarkable due to its lowlands and archipelagos. A large chain of islands along the coastline is part of the country. You might recognize Finland thanks to its rock outcrops, once have been formed as a result of glaciers’ melting.

In the central part of the country, Finnish Lakeland is located. This chain area stretched from the towns of Kuhmo and Kajaani in the north to the towns of Savonlinna and Tampere in the south has gained such name due to thousands pure lakes. They are notable for low, winding and steep shores, a huge number of islands, rocky hills up to 50 meters high and beautiful coves – thus being a real paradise for fishermen and those to be fond of nature. Southern lakes, islands and the coast of the Baltic Sea are great for fishing in summer. For native people, fishing is a kind of ritual for keeping inner peace and tranquillity. The most popular places for fishing are considered the Åland Islands, which are located between Finland and Sweden. The fishing season runs from April to the end of autumn. Rivers are great for fishing as well. In the rivers Tana, Simijoki and Oulankajoki you can catch freshwater salmon. Taimen, freshwater salmon, and pike can be caught in Lake Miekojärvi. Those who practise fishing from a boat are advised to take part in Puruveden Lohikuninkuus, a summer competition. Miljoona Pilkki is a challenge for those who are fond of ice fishing. This competition is held in the village of Tuuri from February to March.

Northern and Eastern Finland is covered with rocky upper reaches and Halti of 1324 meters high, thus being the highest fell in Finland. The mountain is located in the province of Lapland. In winter, you can often see the Northern Lights, and midnight sun is typical for summers. The unique nature of Finland is best for winter outdoor activities. Although winters are long, they are quite warm thanks to the North Atlantic Drift. The most popular winter sport is skiing. Dozens of ski resorts are located throughout Finland, and the country's climate makes ski season running from October to May. Small elevation changes are another feature of the mountains of Finland.

Levi, one of the most popular resorts in the country, is located in Lapland. This resort has repeatedly hosted competitions in ski sports for the Cup of Europe and the World. The resort is equipped for skiers of all skill levels and preferences. Black, red, blue, children's and night tracks are offered for skiers. Dog sledding and reindeer safari will give you unforgettable impressions. You can do ice fishing as well. Tahko resort is open for visitors all year round offering an extensive range of services for tourists. Families with children are advised to go to Ruka, a ski resort. Yllas resort is known for its steep slopes with long racks and altitude differences.

The Finns are proud of their clean virgin forests that have been preserved in the reserves of Lapland and Eastern Finland. It might be interesting for you that the climatic conditions of Finland make trees growing slowly, but upright and almost without branches. Log houses of such wood, an ideal material for their building, are quite popular in the country. Modern stylish Finnish houses are built using new technologies, while maintaining old traditions. Some old wooden houses have survived, for instance, in the town of Kokemäki, St Henry Chapel was built around the year of 1400.

Unique architecture of both ancient constructions and modern buildings will be noted by you while travelling throughout Finnish cities. For centuries, the country has followed different architectural styles, such as Gothic, Byzantine, Romanticism, Classicism, Empire, Modern and Postmodern. Their distinctive features can be seen in the architecture of palaces and castles, cathedrals and churches. Among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the old wooden town of Old Rauma, Petäjävesi Old Church, Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki, Struve Geodetic Arc, and the Fortress of Suomenlinna should be mentioned.

You are well advised to visit Lapland – home to the Sami people – descendants of great shamans. The Sami have kept their origin culture and traditions. They usually make a party at kota, a traditional house, treat guests with homemade dishes, and then sing joiks, short improvisations with much lyrics and musical repetitions. Lapland has gained its fame due to the Snow Queen's Palace, a winter ice hotel, located in the town of Kemi. Not far from Rovaniemi, a capital of Lapland, you can visit the house of Santa Claus.

Amazing festivals of various genres are an integral part of Finland. For example, Helsinki Festival, the internationally recognized and the largest in the country arts event, is annually held in late August – early September. Its programme includes a wide range of shows, concerts and urban events. In late July, the city of Savonlinna annually hosts Savonlinna Opera Festival. Imatra Big Band Festival, a festival of jazz music, has been arranging in July in the town of Imatra since 1985. Helsinki Biennale and Tampere Biennale are held every two years in spring and are dedicated to contemporary music. Finland also hosts such festivals as Tampere Film Festival and International Tampere Theatre Festival, Sea Days in Kotka, Beer Festival in Savonlinna and Wine Festival in Kuopio.

National Finnish cuisine is worthy of your attention. Most of the dishes are cooked on the basis of fish. Graavi lohi, for instance, is rainbow trout baked in its own juice, or mati, whitefish caviar in cream. Meat dishes are quite popular too. Karelian hot pot is a delicious dish cooked in a special pot with mixed lamb, beef and pork. Talking about first courses, you should definitely taste lohikeitto, a salmon cream-soup. Finland is also known for its berry liqueurs, including mesimarijalikoori of arctic bramble and lakkalikoori of cloudberry.

Sauna is well known all around the world. For local residents, sauna is a kind of sacred term. The Finns believe that a bath should maintain peace and harmony, so you shouldn’t be angry and fight there. Finnish sauna has a healing effect on the human body by hot dry air.

Finland will energize you with its wonderful nature and traditions, so be sure to get an unforgettable experience in this northern wonderland.