Helsinki is the capital and the largest city of Finland. Situated on the shore of the Gulf of Finland by the Baltic Sea, it is the most populated municipality in Finland. However, on the contrary it is the most thinly populated capital in Europe after Brussels. The city was founded in 1550 by King Gustav I of Sweden. The original name of the city is ‘Helsingfors’, which is still used as its official name. Helsinki is the country’s hub for business, education, research, culture, and government. The metropolitan area of the city houses eight high-class universities and six technology parks. As it is highly developed the immigration is the highest here, as compared to Finland’s total, which is quite low. To know some more interesting and fun facts about Helsinki, read on.
Interesting Facts About Helsinki
- Helsinki has a total area of 686 sq. km, with sea covering around 500 sq. km and land 186 sq. km.
- The city spans over an agglomeration of more than 300 islands.
- The population of women is greater than men, with men constituting around 46.6 per cent of the population and women around 53.4 percent.
- Helsinki is one of the coldest cities in the world as it does not receive sun shine for about consecutive 51 days in winters.
- Helsinki’s plant symbol is maple.
- The city’s animal symbol is squirrel.
- Helsinki boasts of the largest technology campus amongst all the Nordic countries.
- The metropolitan area of Helsinki generates around one third of the Finnish GDP.
- The GDP per capita is nearly 1.5 times the national average, thereby making Helsinki one of the wealthiest capitals in Europe.
- The water supply takes place via Päijänne Water Tunnel, which is world's longest continuous rock tunnel.
