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Located among the peninsulas and islands of the Baltic coast, Helsinki has a distinctly maritime feel to it. Bridges span over waterways and ferries take traffic to islands farther out to sea. There is continuous activity in and around the harbors with container ships constantly on the move; usually stopping off between Moscow and Stockholm - Helsinki's two most important trading partners. The city covers 433 square miles and comprises of 315 islands, with a large proportion of the city given over to parks and other open spaces. Most of Helsinki's main attractions, however, can be found on one main peninsula. In many respects Helsinki is more like a provincial town than a capital city. It has a population of just slightly over half a million people and the tallest building is only 12 story's high. But statistics are starting to show a city on the rise - 100,000 inhabitants moved into Helsinki in the last decade - the government estimates that 1.3 million people will be living in the region by the year 2030. Finland is a relative newcomer to the European Union, having joined as recently as 1995. Modern Helsinki was formed in 1917 when Finland gained independence from Russia. An Olympic Stadium was completed here in 1938, and Helsinki stepped on to the world stage when it hosted the games in 1952. It still holds the record as the smallest city in the world ever to do so. Activities in Helsinki very much depend on the time of year of your visit. In the summer, the whole city comes to life when the bars flow out onto the streets and you can enjoy daylight for 20 hours a day. There are a number of festivals in the summer such as the midsummer festival, the May Day Carnival and the annual Samba carnival to name a few. The city is also perfect for walking; the main tourist sights are all grouped together in the central area around the towering cathedrals. You'll also find plenty to do in winter like ice-skating, skiing, ice-fishing, or soaking in one of the many outdoor saunas. |