Land of a Thousand lakes

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land of a thousand lakes

Taking a trip to Lakeland is like taking a trip into the heart of Finnish identity. One of the most important birthplaces of the Finnish identity are the deep green forests, the rolling hills and the glittering lakes that cover most of central Finland.

Drive through Finland in the summer and you’ll find two colours dominating the scenery: green and blue. The forested landscape is dotted with patches of water – or, in some areas, vice versa – so numerous they have earned Finland the nickname “the land of the thousand lakes”. In fact, the moniker is an understatement, as there are a total of 188 000 lakes in Finland. From the metropolitan area around Helsinki all the way up to Inari in Lapland, Finland is filled with oases of the clean blue.

Finns feel certain closeness to the element of water, and it is a source of livelihood for many. Lakeland in Eastern Finland is where Saimaa, the country’s greatest lake, is situated. It is home to the Saimaa ringed seal, one of the most endangered species in the world, and nestles several cities on its shores.

Lakeland

The largest Lake District in Europe: In a scarcely populated country there’s enough scenery and shoreline for all, allowing you to easily lose yourself in thought or be inspired by the vast clear lakes, intricately splintered by islands, isthmuses and green spits.

Lakeland

Cruising the inland waterways on cosy ships is a great way to relax and take in the natural surroundings. Before the age of the car, the waterways were the highways of the Lakeland. Still today, the best way to enjoy and explore these parts of Finland is from a boat. The cities of Kuopio or Savonlinna are great places to start a steamboat trip. You can also cruise in the longest lake of Finland, the Lake Päijänne. You can choose a cruise from Lahti to Jyväskylä, from one end to another, or a couple of hours’ cruise. Tampere also offers lake cruises in the heart of the city.

Water is a very important element for the Finns. Here, not only the homes, but also millions of saunas and cozy cottages are located close to the water. Finns simply enjoy a life by the water and if you look at the map – who wouldn’t in a land mostly made of it?

The green forests and the blue lakes became synonymous with the Finnish national landscape during the golden era of Finnish art. Painters such as Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Eero Järnefelt and photographers like I. K. Inha travelled, with great effort, throughout the country and etched those landscapes into the national consciousness.

Today the beauty of Lakeland is easily accessible to visitors. Any one of the numerous National parks in the region is a perfect starting point for a great outdoors experience. The parks offer untouched forests, clean lakes combined with modern services. Educate yourself at the information center, then head out for a walk or rent a canoe for a trip on the lakes. Stay over-night in a tent or in a cottage for an experience less urban.

Yes, it is the cutest little island, and there are thousands more where this one comes from.

In the summer, Finns retreat to lakeside cottages. Holidays are spent with friends and families away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Boating, canoeing, fishing, barbecuing and the inevitable sauna and swimming are standard things to do while unwinding at the lake.

In the winter, frozen lakes work as ice skating or snowmobile tracks. Ice fishing is also a popular activity, especially when the sun comes out in the spring. For those looking for a more extreme experience, dipping in a hole in the ice might just tickle your fancy.

Late night at the waterfront watching the summer sunset. Need we say more?

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land of a thousand lakes