Helsinki Introduction

Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland It is in the region of Uusimaa, in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland.

Release time : 2016-05-11 14:49:39

source : WTCF

City Introduction

Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. It is the most populous municipality and urban area in Finland. Helsinki is located some 80 kilometers north of Tallinn, Estonia, 400 km east of Stockholm, Sweden, and 388 km west of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Helsinki has close historical connections with these three cities.

(Image source: www.visithelsinki.fi)

The Helsinki metropolitan area includes the urban core of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, and surrounding commuter towns. It is the world's northernmost metropolitan area of over one million people, and the city is the northernmost capital of an EU member state.

Helsinki is Finland's major political, educational, financial, cultural, and research center as well as one of northern Europe's major city. Approximately 75% of foreign companies operating in Finland have settled in the Helsinki region.

In 2009, Helsinki was chosen to be the World Design Capital for 2012 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, narrowly beating Eindhoven for the title. The city was the venue for the 1952 Summer Olympics and the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest 2007.

History

Sweden’s King, Gustavus Vasa founded Helsinki on the mouth of Vantaanjoki River in 1550 to compete with Tallinn for the Baltic Sea trade. The town grew slowly however, and the center of Helsinki was moved to its current location in the 1600’s.

In 1748 Sweden began construction of the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress off the coast of Helsinki to counter the growing threat from Russia. The massive project brought additional wealth, inhabitants, and merchants to the town.

Russia conquered Finland in 1809. The status of Helsinki was raised to capital of the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland three years later. A monumental Empire-style city plan was drawn up to reflect the power of Russia and the Tsar.

Fi