Helsinki

Helsinki

Helsingfors, the capital of Finland. The city was founded in 1550 under the name of Swede Helsingfors; helsing base is often found in scand. place names, but its meaning is unclear, fors Swede, "waterfall". Fin. name of Helsinki (Helsinki) derived from Swede. waterfall names. In Russia until 1917 G. was taken by Helsingfors.

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001 .

Helsinki

(Helsinki, Helsingfors), Swedish Gelsingfors , capital Finland. The city is located in the south of the country, on the coast Finnish Hall. the Baltic Sea. 539 thousand inhabitants (1998), in the agglomeration, incl. the cities of Vanta and Espoo, more than 800 thousand people. The climate is temperate, transitional to continental. Avg. January temperature -9.7 °С, July 16.8 °С, precipitation approx. 700 mm per year. The bay freezes for a short time in winter. X. was founded in 1550 by decree of the Swedish king, in 1641 it was moved 5 km to the south, in the 2nd half of the 18th century. At the entrance to the harbor, the Swedes erected the fortress of Sveaborg. Since 1812, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland (part of the Russian Empire), since December 1917 - independent Finland. The historical core of X. is the Estnes peninsula and the fortress of Sveaborg. The main architectural monuments belong to the era of classicism of the 1st half of the 19th century: the building of the former. Senate (1822), St. Nicholas Cathedral (1830–52), Helsinki University with a library (1828–45). Archite. the buildings of the Finnish nationality are also of value. theater (1901), nat. museum (1906–09), center. station (1904–14), parliament (1927–31). Univ., Academy of Music. J. Sibelius, the Academy of Fine Arts, the Academy of Finland and a number of scientific institutions. Botanical Garden. Finnish national opera, national Finnish and Swedish theaters, a number of other theaters. Important railroad. node, seaport, intl. Malmi airport. Ferry service to Tallinn. Machining; chemical, ceramic, text, sewing, knitwear, leather shoes, furniture, paper, polygraph, food. prom. Metropolitan. In 1952, the Games of the XV Olympiad were held in X. In 1975, the final act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe was signed here.

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Yekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of Acad. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .

HELSINKI

FINLAND
Helsinki (Swedish name - Helsingfors) is the capital of Finland and the administrative center of the land of Usima. The city stands on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia of the Baltic Sea. The population of the capital is about 508 thousand inhabitants. Helsinki was founded in 1550 and since 1812 has been the main city of the Grand Duchy of Finland (part of the Russian Empire). At the end of 1917 the city became the capital of independent Finland.
Helsinki is modern city, whose life is characterized by an international character, connections with East and West, as well as a powerful cultural development. Busy business life gives the whole region a new dynamic.
The sea surrounding Helsinki gives the city a special charm. This is an integral part of the urban appearance of the capital. The coastline of the city is almost 100 km, and there are 300 islands in the water area. During the summer, it is very popular to visit the islands of the archipelago. AT winter time the islands can be reached by sea ice.
The inhabitants of Finland affectionately call their capital the daughter of the Baltic Sea. The city center is located on a cape surrounded by the sea. Today's Helsinki is a wonderful combination of old and new, the beauty of the city with the beauty of nature. A specific feature of the city's architecture is quite significant built-up areas according to a single plan, which represent various trends in architecture from neoclassicism to modern school, such as Ruoholati. The real masterpieces of architecture are the buildings in the Empire style on the Senate Square: the cathedral, the university, the state council.
Cultural life is at its best, and the election of Helsinki as one of the European Capitals of Culture in 2000 was an acknowledgment of this. The variety of cultural life is provided by three symphony orchestras. National Opera and Ballet, almost 70 museums, a large number of art galleries, excellent concert halls, 8 theaters, etc. The National Opera is a meeting place for theater, ballet and opera lovers, and in the Museum contemporary art lovers of the avant-garde trend can see the Finnish and world avant-garde art of our time.
The parish center of Helsinki, located in Vanta, is an example of a compositionally intact rural settlement of the 17th-19th centuries that has survived. It is declared a monument of national importance and is subject to protection by a landscape complex. Nissbakka Manor dates back to the 16th century. In the summer, temporary art exhibitions are held in its park and exhibition rooms, and the works of the sculptor Laila Pullinet are also presented there.
At the turn of the century, Art Nouveau style appeared in Helsinki, examples of which can be seen in the Katajanokka area. Other important attractions are eg. The Finlandia Palace, the church carved into the rock on Cathedral Square, the Sibelius Monument, the Olympic Stadium and the new Opera House. A suitable object for a walk on the sea is the zoo on the island of Korkeasaari, located near the center.
The Esplanade is the busiest shopping street in the city, which starts from the Market Square located on the seashore. The largest metropolitan department stores are located nearby. Along with the popularity of a trading city, Helsinki has also gained fame as a city of traditional diplomatic meetings, international conferences and congresses, so it can rightly be called the Geneva of the North. In 1952, the games of the XV Olympiad were held here.
Helsinki is interesting for tourists at any time of the year. In summer, bright nights and the sea, in winter, snow and the intense rhythm of the city attract. On Christmas and New Year's Eve, department stores beckon with a wide selection of gifts. But even then there are many concerts and theatrical performances.
Helsinki is big seaport and the main industrial center of the country. Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, electrical, textile, chemical, ceramic, food industries are developed here. The city has a subway. International transportation is carried out by Malmi Airport.
The capital is home to the University of Helsinki, the J. Sibelius Academy of Music (1882), the Academy of Fine Arts, the Suomenlinna Fortress Museum (Sveaborg), Art Museum Ateneum, Architectural, National, Customs, Ethnographic and other museums.
In 2000 Helsinki will celebrate the 450th anniversary of the city.

Encyclopedia: cities and countries. 2008 .

Helsinki

Helsinki (population - about 546 thousand people) - the capital of Finland (cm. Finland)- called White City North. It stands on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia in the southernmost part of Finland. Here is the main Finnish port. The city center is located on a cape surrounded by the sea. The sea is an integral part of the city. No wonder the inhabitants call Helsinki “the daughter of the Baltic Sea”. The Helsinki region, or Greater Helsinki, adjoins the capital. The cities of Vantaa with Espoo International Airport, Tikkurila, Kauniainen, Järvenpää and Kerava, the municipalities of Tuusula, Nurmijärvi and Vihti are located in this region.
Helsinki was founded by King Gustav Vasa of Sweden in 1550 at the mouth of the Vantaa River. In 1640, the Governor-General of Finland, Peter Braahe, ordered the city to be moved to the peninsula, where the city center is now located. Four years later, a fire destroyed most of Helsinki. In 1710, a plague broke out in Helsinki, killing about half of the population. Not much more than three hundred people survived. After the war of 1808-1809, when Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire, the city became the capital of Finland in 1812 by the imperial decree of Alexander the First. Since 1917 Helsinki has been the capital of independent Finland. During the Second World War, Helsinki, along with London and Moscow, was the only capital in Europe that was not occupied during the entire war, the capital of the country that took part in the war. After the war, Helsinki was the site of many important international events: the 1952 Olympic Games, the 1970 Consultative Meeting on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, and the 1975 Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
What attracts Helsinki today is the perfect combination of old and new, the beauty of the city with the beauty of nature. A significant part of the city was built according to a single plan, these areas represent various trends in architecture from neoclassicism to modern school, such as Ruoholati.
The real masterpieces of architecture are the buildings in the Empire style on the Senate Square: the Cathedral, the University, the State Council. The Senate Square with the buildings surrounding it was built according to the designs of K. L. Engel. All buildings were erected between 1818 and 1852. The main merit of the architect is that he managed to create a harmonious and integral ensemble, sustained within the framework of neoclassicism, on a terrain rugged by hills and rocks.
In the center of the square there is a monument to Alexander II, created in 1894 by Walter Runeberg. Emperor Alexander II was loved by the Finnish people because he granted autonomy to the Finns. Alexander II is depicted in the form of a guards officer during a speech. Around the imperial figure is a sculptural group: "Law", "Peace", "Light" and "Labor".
The project of the cathedral, the old name of St. Nicholas Cathedral, was created in early 1818 by the architect Enzhel, but construction work began only in 1830. In 1852 the Temple was consecrated. Angel was very pleased with the progress of the construction of the Temple. In his last letter, dated September 3, 1839, he wrote: "Elegance, which is difficult to surpass, prevails in the appearance of the Temple." Unfortunately, the architect never saw his creation fully completed.
In section, the Temple has the shape of a Byzantine cross. The cathedral is crowned with a high central dome and Corinthian columns on each side. Angel's successor, E. B. Lohrmann, added 4 small towers and two buildings from the side of the Senate Square to the structure of the building. Later statues of 12 apostles were added.
The building of the university was built in 1832, but the university itself is much older: it is over 350 years old. The university was founded in the city of Turku, and after the fire was moved to Helsinki.
One of the most interesting sights of Helsinki is the church on Temppelinaukio Square, carved right into the rock. Its only decoration is the copper plates that line the ceiling; the church does not even have a dome. The church in the rock is perhaps the most successful monument of Art Nouveau architecture. It was built in just a year by Finnish architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. In 1969, the church was consecrated, and very soon it received the status of an international church. The church building has the best acoustics in the world. Concerts of organ and violin music are held here.
The oldest building in the city sea ​​fortress Sveaborg (Finnish name for Suomenlinna). Its construction began in 1748, when Finland was part of Sweden. The architect and construction manager is the famous Swedish military leader, Count A. Ehrensvard. In 1808, during the Russian-Swedish war, the fortress passed to Russia. With the transfer of the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland to Helsinki, Sveaborg acquired great strategic importance as a military base guarding the sea approaches to the city. After Finland gained independence, the fortress was first used as a concentration camp for soldiers of the Finnish Red Guard. Then a military garrison was located here, and in 1973 Sveaborg came under civilian control and turned into a unique archipelago-museum under open sky, which keeps the history of three countries - Sweden, Russia and Finland.
Among the main attractions, in addition to the fortifications themselves, are a Finnish submarine from the Second World War, the Manege military museum, museums of dolls and toys, customs, several art galleries.
Helsinki is home to Europe's largest Orthodox Cathedral, the Assumption Cathedral. The cathedral was built in 1868 by the architect Alexander Gornostaev. Architectural solutions date back to church wooden architecture of the 14th century. According to Orthodox tradition, the architecture of the cathedral has a lot of symbolism: 13 onion domes - a symbol of Christ and the twelve apostles. The interior is made in the Byzantine and Russian traditions.
One of the most visited attractions in Helsinki is the monument to the composer Sibelius.
The competition for the best project, held by the Sibelius Society, was won by Eila Hiltunen. The competition aroused great interest among the public: the dispute between abstractionists and figuratives was resolved when a bust of Sibelius was added to Hiltunen's composition. What makes this monument unique is its spatial solution, which allows visitors to go inside, where various acoustic effects are achieved.
In the center of Helsinki, a huge station building stands out, built in the early 20th century by the architect E. Saarinen in the style of national romanticism, using decorative elements of medieval Finnish architecture.
Impressive with its massiveness is the Parliament building, a symbol of Finland's independence, built in the late 1920s by the architect J. Siren in the neoclassical style. Not far from the Parliament, a monument to Marshal K. G. Mannerheim was erected, the central avenue of the city was named after him. Next to the Parliament is the National Museum built in the form of a medieval castle.
The statue of a cheerful nymph, created by the sculptor Ville Wallgren, was erected in the autumn of 1908. For almost 100 years it has been one of the symbols of Helsinki. Unlike other monuments to great figures located in the city center, this fountain is distinguished by playfulness and ease. The statue was named "Havis Amanda", which means "sea nymph" in Swedish. In the 1930s, a tradition appeared on the student holiday "Vappa", which falls on May 1, to put a student cap on the head of Manta (as the Finns call the statue).

Encyclopedia of Tourism Cyril and Methodius. 2008 .

Synonyms:

See what "Helsinki" is in other dictionaries:

Helsinki- Helsinki. The building of the Finnish National Theatre. HELSINKI (Swedish Helsingfors), the capital (since 1917) of Finland. 502 thousand inhabitants. Port on the coast of the Gulf of Finland; international Airport. Metropolitan. Mechanical engineering (shipbuilding, ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Helsinki), Swedish Helsingfors (Helsingfors), the capital of Finland. It is located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. The city was founded in 1550. Planned building was carried out from the beginning of the 19th century. according to a regular plan (1808 17, architect I. ... ... Art Encyclopedia

- [Finnish. Helsinki is the name of the capital of Finland] watered. the abbreviated name of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), signed by the heads of 35 participating countries (including the USSR and the USA) in 1975 in Helsinki with ... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

If you ask the average Russian to write down several associations that arise after pronouncing the word "Finland", a number of similar concepts will appear on paper, such as cold, lakes, Scandinavia, Santa Claus and, of course, Helsinki.

Helsinki! This material aims to give the interested reader as much information as possible about this amazing city - the capital of a neighboring state, which will increase the associative list at least three times.

What does "Helsinki" mean: interpretation of the name

There are many legends, each of which tells about the etymology of the name Helsinki. Two of them, compared with many mythical stories, have a more real appearance:

1. Swedish name sounds like Helsingfors. The Finns, being somewhat lazy by nature, decided to shorten the long word, giving it their own national flavor.

The Swedish name itself is made up of 2 separate lexemes: "Helsin" and fors.

The first comes from a Swedish word meaning “narrow section”: two cities in Sweden with similar names - Helsigør and Helsingborg - are located on opposite banks of the narrow strait.

The second part - fors - is interpreted as fort, which means "fortress".

1. Once upon a time, the inhabitants of Sweden, the province of Hälsingland, settled in southern Finland. Nostalgic for their native places, they called their haven Helsingeå (by analogy with the abandoned homeland). The settlement was located near the Helsingfors waterfall. In 1550 a city was founded here. The progenitor and founder of Helsinki was Gustav Vassa, one of the Finnish kings.

Geographic location of Helsinki

with. w.- 600 10’ 24”;
in. e. – 240 56’ 55”.

The city is located in the southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, right on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. The territory of Helsinki occupies about 1150 km 2, it is a total space of 315 islands.

Important: In Helsinki, it is customary to switch the clocks to daylight saving time, so 2 time zone designations are applicable to the capital of Finland: UTC + 3 (in summer) and UTC +2 in the rest of the year. Read more about time in Helsinki.
The telephone code of the city is +358 9.

The city of Helsinki is located in the province of Uusimaa, in the province of South. Finland.

Climatic conditions of Helsinki

The northern location of the capital already excludes the presence of a tropical climate in the city with hot summers and snowless winters. The climate of Helsinki is slightly milder compared to the average annual weather in Moscow or St. Petersburg, but the city's location in an open area, around which the water element rages, makes it vulnerable to strong wind currents attacking the mainland from all over the world.

From a tourist point of view, the most favorable time to visit Helsinki is June.

The table shows the average temperature in Helsinki for each month:

Times of Day

in January

in Feb.

in March

in April

in May

in June

in July

in August

in sept.

in Oct.

In November

December

Daytime (0 C)

Night (0 C)

Administrative divisions of Helsinki

The most densely populated area in Finland - the capital region, with the main city of Helsinki, sheltered more than 1 million people. Every year, the number of local residents of Helsinki and the surrounding area increases by about 10 thousand people. The Central Region is the largest region of the state, consisting of 4 separate cities: Vantaa, Kauniainen, Espoo and the main Finnish metropolis of Helsinki.

All southern territory Finland, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, belongs to the capital region, which includes 14 administrative units.

The municipalities of the Helsinki region are:

Each municipality of Helsinki chooses its own governing body, which is endowed with certain rights. The responsibilities of municipalities include the implementation of specific activities within the following areas of life:

• Medical;
• educational;
• Communal;
• Social;
• Construction.

Elections to governing bodies municipalities are held every 4 years.

In addition to dividing Helsinki into municipal units, the city includes several districts, including:

Kruununhaka
The oldest district of Helsinki, on the territory of which most of the sights of the Finnish capital are located: the Cathedral, the Church of the Holy Trinity, Senate Square, the State Library, etc.

Teele
The name of the area comes from Teelenlahti - the bay located in its vicinity. As a new separate administrative unit, it began its existence at the beginning of the last century. The architectural style of buildings made in the spirit of classicism testifies to the belonging of local buildings to a recently bygone era.

The most famous sights of the area are the Sibelius monument with the famous church carved into the rock.

Catanocca
Initially, it was a cape, deep into the bay. The main path that attracts the attention of the tourist public is a surprisingly harmonious combination of old and new, neoclassical and romanticism.

Aira
The area was mainly built up in the 1st half of the 20th century. The architecture of local buildings is implemented in the style of "Jugend".

Ruololahti
This is a rapidly growing business district of Helsinki.

Kallio
Rapid construction in the region was observed at the end of the last century. The local landscape is a steep sloping hill, occupying about a kilometer of the territory of the capital.

Punavuori
If your path lies in this area, you should drive to the main harbor of Helsinki or to the shipyard. The developed infrastructure of the territory pleasantly surprises: you will be met by nightclubs and restaurants, fashionable boutiques and bars, and other components of the tourist service.

Kamppi
Campi is central District Helsinki.

Meilahti
It is located near Meilakhdentie - the highway of the capital.

Yakomyaki
A modern area with a large number of high-rise buildings, located in the northern part of Helsinki.

Basic national concepts

The ethnic composition of Helsinki mirrors the ethnic picture of the whole of Finland. Here they found shelter, and several peoples coexist comfortably. 5 nationalities should be singled out as the most numerous:

(*) information 2011

Karelians are considered here as a sub-ethnos, therefore they are considered to be a Finnish group. The composition of national minorities also includes gypsies, of which there are about 10 thousand people throughout the country.

How to get to Helsinki

Finland is gaining momentum in the tourism business development segment every year. There are several reasons for the ever-increasing popularity of the state among a vibrant and multinational public. In the era mass tourism for the purpose of education, health improvement, shopping, providing business, new ways of moving citizens over long distances are being developed.

Decided to visit famous places in Helsinki? We recommend choosing one of the 5 modes of transport as a travel option:

1. Airplane.
2. A train.
3. Bus (minibus).
4. Own transport (car).

Flight: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

From the two main cities of the Russian Federation - Moscow and St. Petersburg - aircraft of several airlines fly to Helsinki:

• Modern Aeroflot and Finnair airbuses will take you from the Moscow airport to the capital of Finland. Flight time - 1 hour and 45 minutes;
• From the airport of the northern capital to Helsinki, passengers are transported by aircraft of the Pulkovo airline. Flight time - 55 min.

Reference: The base airport of the Finnish capital is Helsinki-Vantaa. From here, most of the international and domestic flights of Finnair, a member of the international Oneworld alliance. In addition to the specified carrier, Helsinki-Vantaa "sheltered" Finncomm Airlines and Air Finland.

About 90% of international flights pass through the airport.

Vantaa is a reception point for more than 30 international airlines, including Russian ones.

Helsinki Airport is equipped with two terminals - T1 and T2, international and domestic, respectively. The layout of the terminals is made in the form of a hub. This provides maximum comfort for the transfer of passengers from the arrival area to the departure area.

Speaking of Helsinki-Vantaa, one cannot fail to mention the infrastructure of the airport, namely, Aviapolis, which is a world-class business park. The alliance includes several dozen enterprises involved in servicing the airport. Nearby there are a number of luxury hotels and the famous landmark of Helsinki - the Museum of National Aviation.

Rail connection to Helsinki

An alternative and relatively inexpensive way of passenger transportation from Russia to Finland is a train. Russian Railways and Finnish Railways offer citizens several railway routes:

Train "Allegro"	St. Petersburg - Helsinki	Flights from Finland Station: 06:40; 11:25 a.m.; 15:25; 20 hours 25 minutes; Return flights: 06h00; 10:00 a.m.; 15:00; 19:00;	Travel time: 3 hours 36 minutes
"Leo Tolstoy", No. 31 and No. 32	Moscow - Helsinki (Helsinki - Moscow)	From the Leningradsky railway station, departure 22.50 (arrival 12.00). From the railway station of the Finnish capital leaves at 18:23, arrives in Moscow at 8:25.	About 14 hours.
"Repin", No. 33 and No. 34		Departure from the Finland Station in St. Petersburg at 07:27, arrival at 12:35. Departure from the railway station in Helsinki - at 15:23, arrival in St. Petersburg - at 22:41.	6-7 hours
"Sibelius", No. 35 and No. 36	St. Petersburg - Helsinki (Helsinki - St. Petersburg)	Departure from the station to St. Petersburg - at 16 hours 44 minutes, arrival in Helsinki - 20 hours 58 minutes. Departure from the railway station of the Finnish capital - at 7:23, back - at 14:05.	6-7 hours

Travel by bus

Bus passenger transportation is considered the cheapest way to deliver Russian citizens to the territory of ancient Suomi, moreover, convenience is provided by a large number of operators that operate regular flights to and from Helsinki.

The transportation of passengers is trusted only by comfortable buses with the most developed service, which includes toilets and air conditioners, roomy luggage compartments, distribution of soft drinks and a light breakfast. Already after 6 or 7 hours the bus arrives at the destination. The starting point of the route of any auto operator is the Oktyabrskaya Hotel, located not far from the Moscow railway station.

Ferry service Russia – Finland

The fact that Russia and Finland have common water borders has led to the popularization of another way of moving - ferry service, despite the fact that it is considered not cheap. If in winter passengers try to buy a ticket for a ferry with a seat in the most comfortable and warm cabin, then in summer they can save money on a ferry crossing: in windless sunny weather, it is not at all necessary to use the amenities of a cabin. You can simply enjoy the coolness, standing on the open deck and admiring the beauty of the expanses of water - affordable, beautiful, convenient.

Sights of Helsinki

The formation of Helsinki is largely associated with a convenient location. The daughter of the Baltic is the second, unofficial name of the capital.

Hundreds of tourists try to visit as many as possible during a short vacation memorable places, historical and modern attractions, the vast majority of which are located on the peninsula. Museums and parks, churches and monuments to famous people - colorful photos of Helsinki will remind you of this trip throughout your life.

to the most visited and famous places Finnish capital include:

Fortress Suomenlinna	The sea fortress, one of the largest coastal defense strongholds on the planet, has been under the auspices of UNESCO since 1991.
Helsinki Zoo	Korkeasaari is the name of the zoo in Helsinki, which occupies the whole island.
Linnanmäki - amusement park	If you want to ride the highest rollercoaster in the country, or view the city from a 35-meter Ferris wheel, this is the place for you.
Church carved into the rock	Lutheran church located in Teele. The monument is carved into the granite thickness and covered with a glass dome, which gives the church a large amount of natural light.
Assumption Cathedral	The main Orthodox church of the state, named after the Assumption of the Virgin, built in 1868.
Cathedral	The main Lutheran church of the country, located on Sennaya Square (1840)
Ateneum - art museum	The repository of the most famous works of world culture. Located near the railway station, on the street. Kayvokatu.
Monument to Sibelius	Monument to the famous Finnish composer Jan Sibelius is a monument of several hundred short and long copper pipes. One of the most visited places in Helsinki.
Aquapark Sirena	Located in Espoo, a suburb of Helsinki, it operates all year round, except for September (at this time, preventive work is carried out here).

Where to stay: hotel service

If you decide to visit Helsinki on your own, refusing the service offered by numerous travel agencies, we suggest considering the following accommodation options:

1. Hostels are an example of the European system of accommodation for foreign tourists, which consists in providing guests with beds for a short or long period.
2. Rented apartments are an alternative option. For the price, this option will cost a little more, but if you install an extra bed or a folding bed in the apartment, this method becomes the most attractive in terms of cost.
3. The Hotel Room type is a modern accommodation option that involves living in a separate apartment converted into a hotel.
4. Hotel: option does not require additional presentation. The room and the hotel itself are chosen in accordance with life priorities and finances.

Transport Helsinki

– a city that is convenient to travel by public transport, by bike or on foot. The authorities have provided several options for the services of tourists and local residents. Vehicle to move around the capital:

• Bus;
• Tram;
• Taxi.

Payment for travel on any type of transport is made using a single travel card, which can be purchased for a period of 2 hours to 7 days: by purchasing a card in one of the special machines, the validity of which is limited, for example, to 2 hours, its owner can during this time travel by any urban mode of transport. The countdown starts from the first trip.

General characteristics of the economic development of the capital region

The leading position in the list of demanded work areas in Helsinki is occupied by the service sector. The picture of the distribution of jobs in the capital is as follows:

• 86% belong to the service sector;
• 14% - to the industrial sector.

The private service sector owns half of the jobs, the public sector - about a third. The direction that brings the maximum income to the treasury of Helsinki is the sector of business services, in particular - real estate transactions (maintenance, rent, sale, research, etc.). First of all, it is worth highlighting the following economic areas that are popular in the Finnish capital:

• Service providers in the advertising sector;
• Processing of information sources;
• Research (analytical) activities;
• Economic consulting.

Approximately 50% of the named industries and work areas in Finland are concentrated in Helsinki. Approximately ¼ of the jobs associated with freight mail transportation, telecommunications are located here. 1/3 part belongs to the printing sector.

Medical service

In order to cross the border from Helsinki without hindrance, you do not need to pre-do a specific list of vaccinations. If you are used to drinking raw water straight from the tap, you should not deprive yourself of this "pleasure", although the taste of life-giving moisture leaves much to be desired.

Be sure to issue medical insurance. This will help to eliminate huge bills for services rendered in the event of a case, besides, medical care and the cost of services in Finland are fundamentally different from medical services in Russia.

Notable Medical Centers in Helsinki

Traveling is a combination of positive emotions, which are sometimes “diluted” with unpleasant negatives, such as a fall and a bruise. If the case is extraordinary and self-treatment can lead to a deterioration in the condition, it is better to seek professional medical help. In Helsinki, emergency assistance is available to anyone in need, at any time.

List of medical centers known local residents and tourists, looks like this:

1. Ava Medical Center.
2. diacor.
3. Dextra
4. HUS - services of doctors on duty around the clock for children and adolescents.
5. Pikkujatti.
6. Mehilainen.

Shopping in Helsinki

Sales volumes in the city can be described as follows - the choice of goods here is so huge that you will not be able to leave without souvenirs or local products. In addition to consumer goods, supermarkets and shopping centers in Helsinki offer a diverse collection of handicrafts, designer glass items, jewelry, fashionable clothes from local and foreign couturiers, confectionery, and food products.

As for the types of outlets, the bulk of the enterprises are department stores, huge shopping centers or small boutiques. If the main purpose of your trip is shopping, we recommend that you look at Unioninkatu and Aleksanterinkatu, Fabianinkatu and Esplanadi, Kluuvikatu and Mannerheimintie streets. Colorful showrooms and boutiques here are replaced by shopping pavilions of the Forum, Stockmann, Kamppi and Sokos centers.

Only small establishments close for the weekend. Friendly sales assistants of most outlets will serve you on any day of the week from 9.00 am to 21.00 pm (except Sunday, when shops close a couple of hours earlier).

Helsinki Tourism

The city of Helsinki is one of the 9 cultural capitals of the European continent. A metropolis that never ceases to amaze with its versatility, leaving in memory vivid images of cultural monuments of bygone years and the present.

If you suddenly need to characterize Helsinki in a few words, you get the following chain of epithets: the capital of Finland is a rich history, which has been replaced by technological progress; these are white nights, in the bright light of which magnificent festivals and entertainment shows take place; it is a city-market where you can buy everything - from a small souvenir to a luxurious furniture set.

It is convenient to relax here for those who cannot stand the tropical heat. The temperate climate in this case is an advantage that is felt even in winter, when a snow-white fluffy tablecloth envelops the entire city. A picture familiar to the inhabitants middle lane Russia.

The best time for tourism in Helsinki, however, is the warm summer. Autumn is especially rainy here, so the "dull time" is convenient for business travel, but not for relaxation.

Helsinki So Close: Weekend Tour

The following information may be useful for those who prefer to spend even Saturday and Sunday in outdoor activities and trips. A weekend tour to the capital of Finland will cost about 400 Euros (per 1 person, airfare included).

If you are traveling without the help of a travel agency, you will have to buy a plane ticket on your own, paying up to 250 Euros. The price of a hotel room is an ambiguous category:

• 3 stars - about 60 Euros;
• 4 stars - about 70 Euros;
• 5 stars - about 90 Euro.

Considering the approximate price of one lunch, which is from 7 to 10 Euros, and the above data, you can calculate the approximate cost of the tour. All sorts of cafes and restaurants are ready to offer such a diverse cuisine of the peoples of the world that this eliminates the problems with food for tourists of different nationalities. Especially popular in Helsinki are exotic dishes based on seafood, fish and venison.

Scientific, industrial, educational and cultural center of the country. It was founded in 1550 by King Gustav Vasa of Sweden. For a long time, until the 18th century, Helsinki remained a small town, mostly of wooden construction. However, in 1748, on the islands located near Helsinki, the Swedes begin building the Sveaborg fortress to protect the city from attack from the sea. This gives impetus to the further development of the settlement.

Helsinki was captured four times by Russian troops. Twice in May and July 1713 during the Great Northern War, then during the Russo-Swedish War of 1741-43 and the Russo-Swedish War of 1808-09. During Russian rule, the rapid development of the city begins, which made the central part of Helsinki similar to St. Petersburg. In 1860, the first railway was built in Finland, connecting Helsinki with Tampere and Riihimäki. And in 1870 the railway was laid to St. Petersburg.

Helsinki is a city created for tourism, since most of its attractions are in close proximity to each other. The environment of the Senate Square is a unique architectural ensemble in neoclassical style. It consists of four buildings designed by Karl-Ludwig Engel in 1822-1852: the building of the State Council, the Cathedral, the National Library and the Main Building of the University. In addition, on the Senate Square there is a monument to Emperor Alexander II by Walter Runeberg, 1894. The bronze sculpture stands on a red granite pedestal.

One of the main attractions of Helsinki is the Assumption Cathedral. Erected according to the project developed by the Russian architect A.M. Gornostaev in 1886, at present it is the largest cathedral in Western and Northern Europe. The exterior of the cathedral is made in the pseudo-Byzantine style and makes an indelible impression. It stands on a high rock, and from the platform at the entrance to the cathedral offers a magnificent view of Helsinki.

The Cathedral, standing on Senate Square, designed by Karl-Ludwig Engel, was built in the period from 1822 to 1852, simultaneously with St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg and has much in common with it.

Do not ignore the symbol of Helsinki - the Havis Amanda fountain, which means "sea nymph" in Swedish. Made in 1905 in Paris, it was installed in Helsinki in 1908 and features an image of a young woman emerging from the water. The fountain is located on another iconic place in Helsinki - Market Square, where you can buy souvenirs, all kinds of sweets and drink coffee all year round.

In addition, Helsinki is a very green city: all kinds of parks, squares and gardens occupy a third of the total area of ​​the city. The most famous and oldest park in Helsinki is Kaivopuisto. The park is home to many embassies, including those of the United States and Russia. The beauty of the surrounding nature, the proximity of the sea, rocks, spacious green lawns have made the park a favorite vacation spot for citizens and guests of the city. In the high point The park houses the Ursa observatory. And on the nearest islands and the seashore, restaurants and cafes await their visitors.

One of the oldest parks in the city, founded in 1812 for public use, is Kaisaniemi Park. It owes its name to the owner of the restaurant located in the park, Kaisa Vallund. The restaurant, by the way, is still open today. The park itself smoothly flows into the botanical garden founded in 1829.

In addition, it is certainly worth visiting the Sveaborg fortress (now Suomenlinna). The fortress, located on the islands near Helsinki, was included in the List world heritage UNESCO in 1991. Currently, the fortress houses the Finnish Navy Naval Academy, several museums and a light security prison, the prisoners of which maintain the fortress in proper condition. On the territory of the fortress there are museums: the Manege War Museum, the Ehrensvärd Museum, the Suomenlinna Museum, the Toy Museum, the Customs Museum and the Vessiko submarine. Entrance to the territory of the fortress is free, but you will have to pay to see the exposition of museums.

Particular attention should be paid to visiting the Temppeliaukio church, which is completely carved into the rock. One of the principles used in the construction of the church was the complete preservation of the surrounding landscape. BUT interior, completely carved into the rock mass, is illuminated by natural light that enters through the glass dome of the building. The excellent acoustic characteristics of the church have led to the fact that it hosts many concerts. It was consecrated in 1969 and is visited by more than half a million people a year.

In addition, one of the largest and northernmost zoos in the world, Korkeasaari, and the Serena Water Park, the largest in Northern Europe, are located in Helsinki. In addition, Helsinki has a large number of theaters, cafes and restaurants, entertainment centers and other establishments created in order to brighten up the leisure of a tired tourist.

And if you visit Helsinki in the summer, you can use the free bicycles provided at 26 parking lots located in the city center to explore the historical part of the city, the deposit for a bike is only 2 euros.

According to the English magazine Monocle, Helsinki topped the list of the best cities in the world in 2011. In the same 2011, Helsinki was recognized as one of the safest (after Luxembourg) cities in the world. And in 2012, The New York Times ranked Helsinki second on its list of cities to visit.

The harsh beauty of this city, located on the rocks, can amaze the imagination and be remembered forever.

The southern coast of Finland, where the capital Helsinki is located, is the most populated, industrialized and wealthy part of the country. Helsinki, with a population of 560,000, is very different from other Scandinavian capitals and more like the big cities of Eastern Europe. For centuries, the city was an outpost of the Russian Empire and partly owes its majestic appearance to this powerful neighbor.

In the 20th century, Helsinki was perceived as a symbol of independent Finland, and the growing Finnish nationalism became the impetus for creating wonderful architectural structures. The streets of Helsinki are full of noisy youth, there is a huge selection of pubs and clubs, and free rock concerts are held in numerous parks.

Ferry piers are located less than 1 kilometer from the center, the station is in the heart of the city, the intercity bus station is nearby, on Simonkatu Street, Vantaa Airport () is 20 kilometers north, where Finnair buses run from the Central Station (every 20 minutes ). The City Tourist Office is located at Pohjoisesplanadi 19.

Here you can get free booklets Helsinki This Week, City and Helsinki Happens. If you decide to stay for a few days, you should purchase the Helsinki Card (25/35 euros for 24/48 hours), which gives you the right to unlimited travel on public transport and free access to the museums of the capital.

Information about the country can be obtained from the Finnish Tourist Board, Etelaesplanadi 4 (Monday-Friday 9.00-17.00; May-September also Saturday and Sunday 11.00-15.00). The center of Helsinki is easy to get around on foot. An efficient public transport system consists of trams, buses and the metro.

One-way tickets can be purchased from the driver (€2), at the bus station, travel agency or kiosks. Tourist ticket (for 1/3/5 days) entitles you to unlimited use of the entire transport network during the relevant period of time. Tram 3-T describes the eight around the center.

• Accommodation in Helsinki

Accommodation options are plentiful, as are mid-range hotels. Cheaper hotels will provide you private rooms no bathrooms. There are a few hostels, but they can get full during the summer. or sleeping places are available at the Hotel Booking Center at the station for 5 euros, by phone or e-mail free of charge.

I). Hostels in Helsinki

1). Hostel Academica– Double rooms and dormitories. Discounts for students on the HI card. Opening hours: only from June to August. Location: Hietaniemenkatu 14;

2). Hostel Erottajanpuisto– The youth hostel is located in the city center, next to the Mannerheimintie. Accommodation is offered in single, double, triple and quadruple rooms. Location: Uudenmaankatu 9;

3). Hostel Eurohostel– The biggest hostel in Finland. Located next to the ferry pier. Free sauna. Location: Linnankatu 9;

4). Hostel Omapohja– There are no shared bedrooms here, only private rooms (some with private facilities). Breakfast 6 euros. Location: Itinen teatterikuja 3;

5). Hostel Stadion– Cheap hostel, open all year round, 2 kilometers from the center. Trams 3-T, 7-A, 7-B and 10 to the stadium. Breakfast 5.30 euros. Location: Olympic Stadium;

6). Summer Hostel Satakunta– Open only from June to August, numbers; breakfast included. Location: Lapinrinne 1.

II). Helsinki Hotels

1). Anna Hotel– A small hotel in the center with a slightly shabby furnishings. Location: Annankatu 1;

2). Arthur Hotel- Good rooms with amenities. Location: Vuorikatu 19;

3). Finn Hotel- Quiet place near the center. Location: Kalevankatu 3-b;

4). Kongressikoti Hotel– A clean hotel next to the Senate Square. Discounts are available for long-term stays. Location: Snellmaninkatu 15-a.

III). Camping Helsinki

1). Camping Rastila– 13 kilometers east of the center, at the end of the metro line. Night buses 90-N and 93-N (until 1.30). There are houses. Location: Karavaanikatu 4.

Sights of Helsinki

Helsinki, the capital of Finland since 1812, was completely rebuilt after the fire of 1808 in accordance with its new status: a network of wide streets appeared, neoclassical brick buildings were erected, copying the buildings of St. Petersburg. From the Senate Square to the Esplanadi Park, this splendor has survived to this day.

The square is dominated by a recently restored cathedral, designed by Carl Ludwig Engel and completed in 1852, after the death of the architect. An empty interior can be frustrating. Under the cathedral there is a crypt (entrance from Kirkkokatu), where exhibitions are often held. From the eastern end of the square you can see the domes of the Orthodox Assumption Cathedral with a magnificent interior.

A little further away is the Katajanokka harbor area, where the city's development program has converted warehouses into expensive restaurants and housing. A block south of Senate Square, Sofiankatu 4, is the new City Museum with the impressive Helsinki Time exhibition.

• From Mannerheimintie to Kaivopuisto Park

Behind the tram lines stretching from the harbor is the wide boulevard Esplanadi, a favorite place for Finns to relax. To the southwest, on Annankatu, is wooden church Vanhakirkko is the first Lutheran church built in Helsinki after the city acquired the status of the capital. At the end of Kasarmikatu street sprawled big park Kaivopuisto with mineral springs.

To the north of Bulevardi are the main city attractions. On the corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie is the constructivist brick building of the largest department store in Stockmani. Continuing along the Mannerheimintie, descend the steps leading to the Tunnels cake complex and one of the city's most attractive buildings - Central station(1914).

Nearby rises the imposing National Theatre, the country's main dramatic stage since 1872. Opposite the bus station, Kaivokatu 2, is the Ateneum Art Museum, where you can see works from the late 19th century, including works by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Albert Edelfelt depicting scenes from the Finnish epic Kalevala, and paintings by Juho Rissanen dedicated to peasant life.

The Mannerheimintie leads north past the stunning Kyasma building, a contemporary art museum. In the museum of glass and metal, you can see installations that involve sound, moving images and smells. Opposite, a recently renovated building from the 1930s houses the Lasipalatsi multimedia complex with trendy shops and cafes.

A little further on the left side of the street is the pompous 1931 parliament building. To the north is the National Museum, dedicated to the history of Finland from prehistoric times to the present day. Many of the exhibits come to life with films, costumes and touch screens.

Opposite the National Museum is the palace "" (by appointment), designed in the 1970s by the country's best architect Alvar Aalto. The interior is dominated by asymmetry and wavy lines.

A little further you can see the Olympic Stadium, which was originally created to host the 1940 games (in 1952, the second post-war Olympics were held here). Its tower offers a beautiful panorama of the city and the southern coast. Then you can return to the city center and the Hietaniemi cemetery, where Mannerheim, Engel and Aalto are buried (at the main entrance).

To the east of the cemetery, Lutherinkatu 3, is the Temppeliaukio Church, consecrated in 1969. This unusual spherical structure is built into the granite rock, and the ceiling is a huge copper disc, separated from the stone walls by a ribbed glass ring.

• Fortress Suomenlinna

Spanning six islands, Suomenlinna Fortress was built by the Swedes in 1748 to protect Helsinki from sea attacks and is the largest sea fort in the world. You can get here by ferry from the harbor (every half hour; 2 euros one way; 3.60 euros round trip) and join, starting at the pier. There are several museums in Suomenlinna, the best of which is the Suomenlinna Museum of the same name, dedicated to the history of the island.

Food, drink and nightlife in Helsinki

Many cafes and restaurants offer lunch at a special price. In the evening, you can dine in an ethnic restaurant or a grill bar. At the Kauppahalli market at the end of the Etelaesplanadi, venison kebabs are sold from stalls. There are several student canteens in Helsinki, two of which are located in the center - Aleksanterinkatu 5 and Yliopistonkatu 3. You can drink in restaurants and pubs, but on Friday and Saturday it is worth arriving early to take a seat. ALKO stores are located at Fabianinkatu 9-11 and Kaivokatu 10.

Helsinki has a vibrant nightlife, with live music playing in many venues. In summer, almost every Sunday, free events are organized in Kaivopuisto Park. There are a number of clubs and discos where a small entry fee (about 5 euros) is charged. Information on current events can be found in the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat or in the free magazine City. Tickets can be ordered at Tiketti, at Yrjonkatu 29-c.

• Restaurants and cafes in Helsinki

1). Aino Restaurant– A popular place in the city center with Finnish delicacies. Sundays closed. Location: Pohjoisesplanadi 21;

2). Cafe Ekberg– Expensive sandwiches and cakes in a fin-de-siecle atmosphere. Location: Bulevardi 9;

3). Cafe Fazer– The cafe at the largest chocolate factory in Finland has earned great popularity. Location: Kluuvikatu 3;

4). Restaurant Kasakka– An old Russian restaurant with excellent food. Location: Meritullinkatu 13;

5). Restaurant Lappi– Lapland cuisine in a restaurant stylized as a Sami hut. Inexpensive lunches; prices go up in the evening. Location: Annankatu 22;

6). Restaurant Lasipalatsi– Modern Finnish cuisine and a magnificent view of Kjasma. Location: Mannerheimintie 22-24;

7). Pizzeria Mamma Rosa– A classic pizzeria serving fish steaks and pasta. Location: Runeberginkatu 55;

8). Cafe Namaskaar- Popular restaurant buffet in the evenings; vegetarian dishes. Location: Bulevardi 6 and Mannerheimintie 100;

9). Restaurant New Bamboo Center- Cheap, fun and fast. One of the best Indian restaurants in Helsinki. Location: Annankatu 29;

10). Restaurant Strindberg“The upstairs restaurant serves modern Scandinavian cuisine. The street cafe downstairs is one of the most popular places in Helsinki. Location: Pohjoisesplanadi 33.

• Bars in Helsinki

1). Bar Angleterre- Large selection of British beers. Location: Fredrikinkatu 47;

2). Bar Ateljee– Beautiful panorama, stylish interior. Location: on the roof of the Torni Hotel, Yrjonkatu 26;

3). Bar No. 9– International menu (there are vegetarian dishes), a large selection of different beers. Acceptable prices. Location: Uudenmaankatu 9;

4). Bar Elite- Once upon a time, artists gathered here, many of whom paid by painting the walls of the bar. In summer it is nice to sit on the terrace. Location: Etelainen Hesperiankatu 22;

5). Bar Kaisla– One of the most popular bars in Helsinki. Location: Vilhonkatu 4;

6). Wanha bar– Relatively cheap cafe-bar and self-service establishment. There is a beer hall in the basement, and rock concerts are held in other parts of the building. Location: Mannerheimintie 3.

• Nightlife Helsinki

1). Institution Botta- Clockwork dance music of different styles and directions. Location: Museokatu 10;

2). Night club heartbreakers- A club in the very center of the capital, where you can dance the night away. Location: Mannerheimintie 5;

3). Nightclub Kaarle Х11 This nightclub is located on two floors. Finnish pop music is always played on one of the dance floors. Location: Kasarmikatu 40;

4). Nightclub Saunabar– One of the most unusual clubs in the city, where legendary DJs perform. There is a sauna. Location: Eerikinkatu 27;

5). Storyville– A popular jazz venue with good food. Location: Museokatu 8.

• Helsinki on the map of Finland

In contact with

Helsinki(Fin. Helsinki; Helsingfors or Helsingfors - Swedish. Helsingfors) is the capital and largest city of Finland, the administrative center of the province of Uusimaa. It is located in the south of the country, on the coast of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. Population 578,126 (31.03.2009). Foreign citizens make up about 10% of the city's population.

Helsinki, together with the satellite cities of Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen, forms a metropolitan area with over a million inhabitants. The population of Greater Helsinki, whose territory includes 12 communes, exceeds 1,300,000 people.

Helsinki is the center of business, education, culture and science in Finland. There are 8 universities and 6 technology parks in Greater Helsinki. 70% of foreign companies operating in Finland are located in the capital region. Rural immigration makes Helsinki one of the fastest growing municipal areas in Europe.

The main international air hub in Finland is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, located 20 kilometers from the center of the capital and providing direct flights around the world. The journey from Helsinki to Tallinn takes 1.5 hours by sea and 18 minutes by helicopter. Two other major cities, Tampere and Turku, can be reached in 1.5-2 hours by train and 1.5-2.5 hours by car.

In early 2009, Helsinki began to consider a possible annexation to the capital city of Vantaa. On March 30, 2009, the Vantaa city council agreed to carry out a review of the Helsinki project for a possible unification. The Council stressed that the review does not provide for the cessation of the existence of the city.

Story

Swedish rule

Founded by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa in 1550. By his decree, several hundred inhabitants of the city of Porvoo settled in the territory of the current urban area of ​​​​Arabia. June 12, the day the decree was signed, is considered the birthday of the city.

However, it turned out that the place was chosen unsuccessfully - the harbor was too shallow, and as a result, the city was moved to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe current Kauppatori (Market Square).

Until the middle of the 18th century, Helsinki remained a small, entirely wooden city, plague epidemics often broke out here.

In 1748, on the islands near Helsinki, the Swedes began building the fortress of Sveaborg (Fin. Suomenlinna), designed to protect the city from the sea. As a result, the growth of the city began; the first stone houses appear. However, Turku (Abo) remained the capital of Swedish Finland.

The city was captured by Russian troops four times - twice during the Great Northern War, in May and July 1713; August 24, 1742, during the Russian-Swedish war of 1741-1743; February 18, 1808, during the Russo-Swedish War of 1808-1809.

Russian rule

In 1809, according to the Friedrichsham Peace Treaty, Finland joined Russia. Three years later, on April 12, 1812, Alexander I declared the provincial Helsingfors the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland. After that, a reconstruction committee was established, headed by military engineer Johan Albrecht Ehrenström (en: Johan Albrecht Ehrenström). He was supposed to rebuild the ceremonial capital of the Grand Duchy. In 1816, the German architect Karl Ludwig Engel, who worked in Russia, was invited to the post of architect of the Finnish capital. The development of the project was followed by Emperor Alexander I and his brother Nicholas, hence the noticeable similarity between the central parts of Helsinki and St. Petersburg. Since that time, the rapid organized development of the city began.

In the 1820s, Karl Ludwig Engel created a plan for the development of the central part of the city. As a result of its implementation, for example, the neoclassical ensemble of Senaatintori (Senate Square) with a magnificent cathedral appeared. The university was moved from Turku to Helsinki.

During the Crimean War, the city was shelled by the Anglo-French squadron, which, however, did not lead to significant damage.

In the 1860s, the first Finnish railway connected the city with Riihimäki and Tampere. Industry developed rapidly. In 1870, the railway connected Helsinki with St. Petersburg.

Capital of independent Finland

After the declaration of independence during civil war in Finland, the city was occupied for some time by units of the Finnish Red Army, but as a result of the offensive of General Mannerheim from Vaasa, supported by German troops, the city came under the control of the bourgeois Finnish government.

After the end of the civil war, the city continued to develop dynamically. Significantly expanded its territory, grew new residential areas. For example, the “garden city” of Tapiola (Finnish Tapiola, Swedish Hagalund; administratively subordinate to Espoo) gained wide popularity.

In 1952, the Summer Olympic Games were held.

In 2007, the city hosted the annual Eurovision Song Contest.

Name

In Finnish, the city was officially called Helsinki since its foundation (1550); in Swedish it is still officially called Helsingfors. In all other languages, the name "Helsingfors" (in Russian - "Helsingfors") was used for a long time before Finland became independent (December 6, 1917). And this is not surprising: until the end of the 19th century, the Swedish population absolutely prevailed in the city, although the population of the city in 1880 was only 43 thousand people.

Despite the formal subjugation of the Russian Empire after 1809, the Swedish-Finnish nobility retained their power in Finland and for a long time preferred the Swedish language. In an effort to reduce dependence on Sweden, the Russian authorities stimulated the development of the Finnish language, and the intensive migration of rural Finns to the city quickly changed the demographic and linguistic balance in the city in favor of the Finns.

After 1917, the Finnish name Helsinki began to be used. On Soviet maps of the 20s - early 30s, in accordance with the then transfer of the foreign language [h], the spelling of Gelsinka was found (the spelling of Gelsіnki is adopted in modern Ukrainian, where r is read [h]).

The Swedish-speaking minority in the capital remains to this day (6.2% of the city's population), and the Swedish language has the status of an official language on a par with Finnish.

Relief

The city is located in a rocky area. Historical Center the city is located on a peninsula with a heavily indented coastline. The elevation changes in the city are significant, and the rocks are a common part of the landscape. There are waterfalls on the rivers within the city.

Climate

The climate of Helsinki is temperate, transitional between continental and maritime. Winter is long and snowy, summer is cool and does not go beyond the calendar. Spring and autumn are long and cool. Severe frosts are a rather rare occurrence; summer heat above 30 ° C almost never happens. The maximum precipitation is observed at the end of summer and throughout autumn.

Population

In 2002, 305,196 people of working age lived in the city, of which 277,967 were employed and 27,229 were unemployed, with an unemployment rate of 8.9%.

Population (as of March 31, 2009) - 578,126 people. The share of the female population in Helsinki is 53.4%, which is above the Finnish average of 51.1%. Forecast of the population of the city: for 2020 - 589,604 people, for 2030 - 597,640 people.

Language composition

For a long time, Helsinki developed as a predominantly Swedish-speaking city. In 1870, when Finland was part of the Russian Empire, the prevailing official languages in the city were: Swedish - 57%, Finnish - 25.9%, Russian - 12.1%; German (1.8%) and others (3.2%) were also used. By 1890, due to the beginning of the mass migration of Finnish peasants to the cities, the policy of the Russian authorities to maintain and develop the Finnish language and the partial assimilation of Swedes, the ratio of languages ​​​​was as follows: 45.6% Swedish, 45.5% Finnish, 6% Russian and 2, 9% others.

Currently, two languages ​​​​are recognized as official in the city - Finnish and Swedish, while 86% of the city's population are Finnish-speaking, 6% Swedish-speaking, about 4% consider Russian as their native language, and another 4% - other languages. (See also Russians in Finland).

The newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet is published in Swedish, 2 Swedish-language radio stations broadcast - YLE Radio Vega Mellannyland (with regional programs) and YLE Radio X3M, in addition, radio programs in Swedish are broadcast on the local radio station (Finnish lähiradio, Swedish närradio). There are 2 Swedish-language channels broadcast on land - YLE FST5 (free, owner - YLE) and SVT World (paid, owner - Swedish public broadcaster SVT); other channels from Sweden are also available on cable networks.

Radio Sputnik broadcasts in Russian.

Economy

The Helsinki Stock Exchange was founded in 1912.

Transport

In Helsinki there are international airports Helsinki-Vantaa, through which about 90% of flights pass in Finland and Helsinki-Malmi.

Currently, research is being carried out and work is underway on the design of an underwater railway tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn. The estimated length of the tunnel is 60-80 km. The construction of the tunnel will require from 1 billion to several billion euros. Estimated construction period is 10-15 years.

At the end of 2010, it is planned to launch new trains between St. Petersburg and Helsinki, which will reduce travel time between cities to 3.5 hours

Sea transport

Helsinki is major port from where international Passenger Transportation throughout Baltic Sea. Ferry companies Tallink Silja, Viking Line, Finnlines, Stella Lines (ferry Julia) provide regular year-round departures to Tallinn, Stockholm, Rostock, Lübeck/Travemünde, St. Petersburg. Tourists arriving by ferry from Finland to St. Petersburg can stay on the territory of the Russian Federation without visas for 72 hours.

Public transport

Helsinki is clearly divided into two parts - the historical western and the more modern eastern (Itä-Helsinki, Östra Helsingfors) - connected by a single metro line, as well as an extensive road network.

Public transport is also represented by trams (in the center and adjacent parts of the city), buses, suburban trains and the municipal ferry lines Kauppatori-Suomenlinna, Katajanokka-Suomenlinna and Hakaniemi-Suomenlinna. Public transport in the city is managed by the Helsinki City Transport Authority (Fin. HKL, Helsingin kaupungin liikennelaitos, Swedish HST, Helsingfors stads trafikverk).

city ​​bike

During the warm season in Helsinki, there is a free public bicycle service - CityBike. In the city center there are 26 bike stands, where anyone can borrow a bike for a while on a deposit of 2 euros. Cycling CityBike is allowed only within the central part of the city. In 2008, it was planned to expand the service in subsequent years, but in 2010 the program was suspended until 2012.

Education

Helsinki is home to the country's largest University of Helsinki, as well as a number of other higher educational institutions, in which 64,128 students study (of which 38,454 are at the university). Secondary education is provided by 190 schools, of which 22 are private. All data are for 2003.

Museums

• Helsinki City Museum. It has several branches, including two summer museums: the House of the Burgher and the Power Plant Museum. They open only with the onset of high tourist season. Entrance to both museums is free.
• National Museum of Finland
• Finnish National Gallery
• Museum of Classical Art Ateneum
• Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
• Sinebryukhov Gallery
• Suomenlinna fortress
• Museum of Urho Kekkonen Tamminiemi
• postal museum

cultural centers

Korjaamo Cultural Factory (Töölönkatu 51 +358 504 072 467) is located near the center of Helsinki. Located in an old tram depot, the Korjaamo factory is a complex of galleries, theater and concert halls, a shop, cafe and bar - and, of course, a tram museum. After the opening of the second building - the Tram garage (Vaunuhalli) in June 2008. Korjaamo has become the biggest cultural center in Finland. Exhibition activity, mainly focused on photography and video art, now takes place in three galleries, two of which are located in the new Tram Garage. Every year, within the walls of Korjaamo Teatteri, the international festival STAGE is held, which gathers under its roof the best modern theaters from around the world.

Main Attractions

• Assumption Orthodox Cathedral in Helsinki.
• Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Nicholas (1852, architect K. L. Engel), the University, the Senate building and a monument to the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who expanded the rights of autonomous Finland and granted her a constitution in 1863.
• Assumption Cathedral (1868, architect A. M. Gornostaev), the cathedral of the Finnish Orthodox Church, the largest Orthodox church in Northern Europe.
• Suomenlinna Fortress (until 1918 - Sveaborg), founded in 1748.
• Korkeasaari Zoo is one of the northernmost and largest zoos in the world.
• Church of Temppelaukio carved into the rock, 1969.
• A music festival has been held in Helsinki for the past 5 years - Flow Festival
• The largest water park in Northern Europe "Serena"