Finland: A Jewel Unknown
Finland is perhaps the least known of the Nordic countries. History, geography and economy place it between West and East, it maintains links to both Western Europe and the former Soviet Union states.
The Finns have a strong national identity and pride in their beautiful wilderness of forests, lakes, coasts and islands. About a third of Finland is covered with indigenous forests of pine, spruce and birch. The rest is mostly covered by water, with about 180 000 lakes, numerous rivers and extensive wetlands. The coast is full of concentrated islands in the archipelagos of South east.
The Finns are struggling to put their country on the map of world tourism destinations. For it has wonderful natural attractions, a manageable capital and beautiful and an excellent transport system.
Finland needs little publicity. The trains offer the best way to move around the country, but also has a very comfortable bus network for all users, especially to cross from east to west in the nation.
The capital, Helsinki, is nicknamed the white city of northern white for its neoclassical buildings, whose construction commissioned their Russian rulers in the 19th century.
It also boasts a modern architecture that includes the Church of Temppaliaukio, copper, glass and rock.
This city enjoys his life in the summer, when light and longer days encourage the spirit of the Finns.