Finland – A Land of Maximum Islands and Trees More than People

Finland, a Nordic country in the northern Europe, is an innate wonder and land of admiration. The nation holds first rank in the world for its maximum number of islands. One will just wonder at these figures – 30,000 islands off the Finnish shore, 98,000 among its 1,88,000 home lakes, and the Saimaa Lake system in the southeast – the largest inland water system of Europe. This waterlogged land of the Finns is edged by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland and its 10% is underwater.

Enclosed by Sweden on its west, Norway on north, and Russia to the east, the state holds trees that in count are far more than its population. The 69% of the northern coniferous region itself is occupied by the pine forests, while the south and southwest are covered pine, fir, and birch. In Lapland to its far north, the spread dwarf birches take you to the Arctic tundra. Being managed from a long time, the national forests offer timber that is required for furniture, paper, fibreboards, domestic heating, and warming 1.6 million saunas.

If on one side the nation provides amazing opportunities for trekkers, mountain-bikers, cross-country skiers, and water sports enthusiasts; on the other hand, 35 national parks scattered 8,000 sq. km. offer spot birds, reindeer, elks, and bears. Finland is famous for its technological innovations, the renowned one being Nokia.

Finland Tourist Attractions

• Helsinki:
  This is the capital of Finland that offers parks, forests, and water. For the historians, its marvelous architecture exhibits its Russian and Swedish events and contemporary structures are the gift of Finnish designers. It attracts tourists with its splendid museums, better quality shopping, and the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress listed as the World Heritage site.

• Turku:
  This is the most ancient town that stands across the Aland Sea in Sweden. Attractions here are its medieval fortress, cathedral, several captivating museums, and a boat trip in night along the Aurajoki River.
• Lakeland:
  Known as the Heart of Finland, this is an adventurous site for swimmers, canoeists, and boating. It is also famous for its serene tranquility of sunsets.
• Karelia:
  This district offers Orthodox Christian culture, conventional villages, and religious festivals whose origin dates back to centuries. The region is divided by the Russian border and is also the spiritual site of the Kalevala – an epic Finnish poem.
• Aland Islands:
  This is the region that is adjacent to Sweden culturally and geographically, this offers a pleasing sea legacy, oldest churches, and cycling and water sports in summers.
• Jyvaskyla:
  This is an attractive Lakeland university offering buildings belonging to the proud 20th century architecture – Alvar Aalto. Further, Jyvaskyla has also hosted the recent World Rally Championship.
• Savonlinna:
  After exploring the opportunities for camping, bird watching, and water sports on its forests and lakes, do visit its medieval fortress and its summer opera festival in July.

• Lapland:
  This is the Arctic North that is famous for its overwhelming wilderness, Sami culture, three amazing national parks, and some 3,00,000 reindeer.
• Inari:
  This is a miniature hamlet and capital of Sami culture in Lapland. This offers the eye-catching Siida museum of Sami culture and the wilderness church where reindeer herders meet. For trekkers and gold panners, the close by Lemmonjoki National Park is ideal and is the largest in the nation.
• Rovaniemi:
  A region to access Lapland, this is a place for children where sites are themed on the Santa Claus. Do visit the Rovaniemi’s Arktikum where you can become familiar with the ecology and anthropology of the Arctic region and explore the iced-up life of Lapland.
• Kuopio:
  This is famous for its outdoor activities in the lakes and forests, particularly, ski jumping and cross-country skiers in the winter trails at Puijo Hill.
• Kilpisjarvi:
  Lying between Sweden and Norway, just trek from this hamlet to reach the Saana or Haltia Fell – the highest peak that offers a stunning scene covering the three countries.
• Pohjanmaa:
  Located along the west coast near Vaasa, this area is also known as Ostrobothnia. Attractions here are long beaches, forested islands with elks, and pretty wooden villages such as Jakobstad and Kristinestad.
• Oulu:
  This is among the most captivating cities in Finland during summers where you are invited by the stalls full of wild berries and seasonal items. Do not forget to visit the Hailuoto Island that is situated offshore as the home of birds.
• Trekking:
  Do take your hiking boots and use them on one of finest trekking routes particularly interesting in Lapland. Do so in early autumn when trees and vegetation sprung up exhibiting multiple colors for the Ruska season.
• Skiing:
  The most thrilling time for this sport is during the icy winters when cross-country skiing is what one can look for. Offering many tracks throughout its area, Finland also has tracks in its national parks. For downhill skiing and snowboarding, access the hills of Lapland.
• Water Sports:
  These include water-skiing, jet skiing, and sailing on the superb more than 1000 lakes of the Lakeland region. Skiing is both memorable on snow and waters. All facilities are provided by several holiday cottages and outdoor centres.
• Dog Sledding:
  This is famous in the traditional and snowy Arctic region and its several centres exist in Lapland along with Harriniva. The first Arctic Barents Race will occur through Russia, Finland, Sweden, and Norway in 2010.
• Saunas:
  Lighten yourself in a typical steamy sauna experience in hotels and holiday cottages. The most famous ones are offered by the Kotiharjun public sauna in Helsinki’s Kallio district and the Jätkänkämppä smoke sauna in periphery of Kuopio.
• Polar Night Lights:
  Referring to the captivating Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), these rays reach until skies and make you feel as there is some light show going on in the sky. This occurs at the polar night (kaamos) – November to May.
• Midsummer:
  This is the time when sun seems to never go down the horizon and during which the region enjoys 24-hour daylight. Thousands of native people flock to their mokkit (summer cottages) to make holiday in outdoors.
• Festivals:
  In Oulu, air-guitarists participate in strange rock mimes, while in the Wife-Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, husbands pull their wives. In Naantali, every 27th July observed as the Sleepyhead Day, the laziest inhabitant is thrown into the sea.
• Canoeing and Rafting:
  This is possible due to lakes and rivers. Best sites are Saimaa, Lake Oulujarvi, and Lake Inari for paddlers, while for white-water rafting; sites are Kukkolankoski rapids and Oulanka National Park.

• Design Tours:
  Finland is world wide popular for its designer tours of Helsinki, architectural tours, jewelry, ceramics, glassware, and traditional wooden structures tours too.