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Finland is a land of thousands of lakes and miles of coastline. It
has a temperate climate due to the vicinity of the Atlantic Ocean and
the Gulf Stream.
Helsinki, Finland's capital, lies on the southern coast, on the shores
of the Gulf of Finland. It is a modern city, unlike many of Europe's
older capitals, and yet it is not a brash city. There are areas that
give a genuine picture of the architecture and atmosphere of the past.
As with most of Scandinavia's cities and towns water has played an
important part in Helsinki's development, and it still does. The Zoological
Gardens are situated on an island which is reached by ferry, surely
a unique situation! Finland is justly famous for the quality of its
glassware, ceramics, textiles, fashion and jewelry, all of which may
be purchased in Helsinki's excellent shopping centers.
Finland has the best preserved medieval castle in Scandinavia---Olavinlinna
Castle in Savonlinna. It is a popular tourist attraction, is the setting
for festivals and has a unique congress center. Much of the castle,
including the King's Hall, has been restored since 1961. The international
opera festival, which is held every year at the end of July and beginning
of August, dates from 1967. The town of Savonlinna is in East Savo
province which offers the visitor the most extensive lake scenery in
Europe.
A former capital of Finland, the town of Turku, has a prominent place
in Northern history. Rather than being founded it developed naturally
at the crossing of the northern trade routes. The magnificent historic
monuments to be seen there are unique in Finland.
The largest wooden church in the world stands today in the town of
Kerimaki.The second oldest town in Finland is Porvoo, about 30 miles
from Helsinki. Porvoo has always been a home for poets, authors and
artists and it remains so to this day. The old town is, undoubtedly,
a great attraction for visitors to Porvoo. The original town dates back
to the middle ages and although wars and fires have destroyed it many
times it has always been rebuilt. Many of the houses surrounding the
cathedra, which was built in the early part of the 15th century, date
from the 1700s.
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