Helsinki - the capital of which country?Anyone who asks this question should definitely read our article. Here we will talk not only about where the city is located, but also about the history and tourist attractions of this northern capital of Europe.
The capital of Helsinki is Finland
The main city of Finland is located in extremelyunfavorable, from a geographical point of view, place - on 315 islands. Sometimes, in order to get from one district of the capital to another, it is necessary to overcome a dozen bridges or even cross one of the straits by ferry. This city is all saturated with the smell of the sea and the roar of arriving and departing ships.
Helsinki - the capital is far from small.The city covers an area of 1,140 square kilometers. Moreover, 30% of this territory is urban parks, squares and undeveloped plots. In other words, the traveler in Helsinki feels quite light and spacious. In addition, most of the interesting and tourist attractions are compactly concentrated within one peninsula.
Brief history of the city
The modern capital of Finland - Helsinki - appeared on the map of Europe in the middle of the XVI century. In 1550 the city was founded by the Swedish king Gustav I.
Хельсинки - столица с богатой и интересной rich history. The city was created with a single goal: to create a real competition to another large port in the Baltic region - Tallinn. Of course, the first inhabitants of Helsinki had a hard time: poverty, disease, and constant wars plagued many. The situation has changed for the better after the construction of a powerful fortress here. Well, essentially the city was transformed at the beginning of the XIX century, when it was annexed to Russia (as a result of the latter’s victory in the Finnish War).
By order of the Russian Tsar Alexander Iit was in Helsinki that the capital of the duchy was transferred. Soon, the only university in Finland, the Abo Academy, also moved here. "Russian trace" is noticeable in Helsinki and in the business center of the capital, where all the buildings were lined up in a strictly classical style. This part of the city is very reminiscent of old Petersburg.
Many troubles and misfortunes brought to Helsinki the firsthalf of the twentieth century. Nevertheless, the city continued to actively develop: in the 70s its population increased threefold. And today the capital of Finland is among the fastest growing in Europe.
How and when to go to Helsinki: tips for tourists
The country with the capital Helsinki is located in Northern Europe, on the Scandinavian Peninsula. You can get here in a variety of ways: by land, by sea, by air.
Travelers flown to Helsinki onby plane, is served by the airport Vanta, which is located twenty kilometers from the center of the capital. From the airport, you can easily and quickly get to anywhere in the city by taxi, or by municipal bus.
Location of the railway station in the centerHelsinki is also very convenient. In addition, the station building is informed by underground passages directly with the city metro. Regular bus trips connect the Finnish capital with many cities in Russia, Sweden and Norway.
Tourists are advised to visit Helsinki (and Finlandas a whole) in the summer, from the middle of June to the middle of August. And of course, a huge number of foreign guests come here for New Year and Christmas holidays. Spring in Finland is beautiful, but very short: the summer here can change the winter in almost one week.
Helsinki - the capital of happy holidays
The harsh natural conditions (in particular, long autumn and winter nights) taught the Finns to have good and good fun. In this they are really great masters!
Perhaps the most interesting and noisy inFinland's holiday is celebrated on the night of the first of May. This is Vappu, or the celebration of the meeting of spring. On this night, the city of Helsinki turns into one huge open-air party.
Grand Arts Festival takes place inHelsinki annually in early autumn. Dances, street plays and theatrical productions, art exhibitions, classical and modern music - all this is included in his program. Tens of thousands of guests come to the Finnish capital these days in order to enjoy various kinds of art.
Well, gastronomic tourists and just peoplegood food lovers, Helsinki invites to the annual Baltic herring fair. It has been held in this city for more than two hundred years! Few tourists from tourists know how many delicious and delicious dishes can be prepared from ordinary herring - the main product of the Baltic region.
Christmas City
Helsinki is the capital to which thousands cometourists for Christmas. As a rule (exceptions are extremely rare), these days there is already snow in the city, and the legendary Christmas market of St. Thomas begins its work in the center of the capital.
Fragrant mulled wine, bright festiveIllumination on the streets and cozy decorated restaurants are the indispensable attributes of Christmas in the Finnish capital. Without a doubt, this is one of the best places on the planet where you can celebrate the New Year!
Finally...
Now you know where the city of Helsinki is andwhose capital is it. Here you can have a wonderful and great time, both in summer and in winter. Especially many tourists prefer to come to the fabulous city of Helsinki for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
