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HELSINKI / FINLAND
HELSINKI
Helsinki (Finnish, English) (Helsingfors (Swedish) is Finland's capital and something of an international metropolis. Founded in 1550, it has been the Finnish capital since 1812. Helsinki's current population is about 560,000, but the Helsinki region with the neighboring suburban cities of Espoo and Vantaa has a population of over one million.
The county of Helsinki forms the core of Finland's largest urban area, known in Finnish as the "capital area" (pääkaupunkiseutu). The Gulf of Finland lies to the south, while the posh suburban municipality of Espoo with the embedded tiny enclave of Kauniainen is to the west and the more industrialized municipality of Vantaa is to the north. Beyond these three the suburbs rapidly give way to farms and forests, notably Nuuksio National Park at the intersection of Espoo, Vihti and Nurmijärvi.
Districts
Helsinki is divided into a total of 54 districts, but more commonly the city is merely divided into the centre and the suburbs. The southern districts are older (some would say more revered), and they contain most of the city's main tourist attractions.
Eira, Ullanlinna and Kaivopuisto are all respected districts full of parks, historical buildings and statues. Eira is known for its Jugend-style (ie Art Nouveau) houses, parks and beautiful boulevards. Eira centres around Engel Square, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the Chinese Embassy. Ullanlinna, with its marine panorama and densely-built historical buildings is popular among stylish young adults, interior designers and architects. Kaivopuisto's lovely park features large, elegant houses and embassies and is popular among bankers and diplomats.
Punavuori and the slightly more northern district of Kallio were traditionally working men's districts, though Punavuori has tried to improve its image in recent years. Punavuori is full of old buildings and popular among young graduates and a large international populace. Kallio is known for its waterways, Hakaniemi Square and the fabulous Kallio church. The district is mostly populated by young, highly educated adults and low-income families.
The respectable district of Töölö is full of old apartment buildings which, though densely packed, are beautiful. Apartments in these buildings are highly sought-after. Töölö also has many spectacular sights, including the Hietaniemi Cemetery, Sibelius Monument, Parliament Building, Olympic Stadium and the gorgeous parklands around Töölö Bay. Behind Töölö lies Meilahti, known for its old villas. Meilahti is a roomy district populated by the middle-classes.
Transportation
By plane -
All international and domestic flights land at the compact, modern and airy Helsinki-Vantaa
International Airport , 15 kilometers to the north of the city. International and domestic terminals are separate but connected by a walkway.
By train -
All long-distance trains from throughout Finland and the Russian cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg terminate in the heart of the city at the Rautatieasema (Central Railway Station), which also provides easy interchange to the metro and tram lines.
By car
- Expressways connect Helsinki to Turku to the west, Tampere and Lahti to the north, and to Porvoo and towards Saint Petersburg in the east.
By bus - Long-distance buses terminate at the new underground Central Bus Station (Linja-autoasema) in the Kamppi Center (Kampin Keskus). The station is adjacent to Mannerheimintie, directly connected to the Kamppi metro station and within a short walking distance from the Central Railway Station.
By ferry - The HKL ferry to Suomenlinna from the Market Square (Kauppatori) is a cheap and popular summer getaway. Another HKL operated ferry, mostly used only by the island's residents, leaves from the eastern end of Katajanokka. In addition, private operators provide ferries to Suomenlinna and various other islands during the summer; however, schedules can be sparse. HKL's Tourist Ticket and mobile-phone ticket are both valid also on Suomenlinna ferry.
The comfortable 9-storey hotel offers a total of 555 rooms and features a reception desk, a lift and a bar in additional to an à la carte restaurant serving Mediterranean specialities. Those arriving by car may make use of the hotel car park and garage facilities....
The modern comfort hotel offers 9 floors with a total of 202 rooms and facilities include a reception desk, a lift, a bar and 2 restaurants with differing cuisines as well as a popular nightclub....
By car
- Expressways connect Helsinki to Turku to the west, Tampere and Lahti to the north, and to Porvoo and towards Saint Petersburg in the east.
