Stockholm
Built on a string of islands, Stockholm was founded 700 years ago by King Birger Jarl at the strategic point where the fresh water of Lake Mälaren meets the salt water of the Baltic. A good starting point for an exploration of the city is the ‘Old Town’ (Gamla Stan), a cluster of old buildings and narrow cobbled streets which formed the original Stockholm. The old buildings are beautifully preserved and the main streets, Österlånggatan and Västerlånggatan, are pedestrian precincts with a host of boutiques, handicrafts and antique shops.

The Old Town has three churches of historic interest, Storkyrkan and Riddarholm Church, both dating from the 13th century and the German Church with its magnificent Baroque interior. Overlooking the harbor is the Royal Palace, which contains the State Apartments, the Crown Jewels, the Hall of State and Chapel Royal, Royal Armoury and Palace Museum. Within easy reach of the Old Town, in a magnificent setting on the edge of Lake Mälaren, is Stockholm’s elegant City Hall (Stadshuset), inaugurated about 60 years ago. There is a spectacular view of the capital from the top of the 100m (350ft) tower. Another spot for a magnificent view is the observation platform on the Kaknäs communications tower which, at 155m (508ft), is the highest building in Scandinavia.

The island of Djurgården, can be reached either by bus from the city center or by ferry across the busy harbor. The best-known attraction here is the purpose-built Vasa Museum housing the restored 360-year-old wooden warship which was recovered from the depths of Stockholm’s harbor in 1961. Also in Djurgården is Skansen, an open-air folk museum which celebrated its centenary in 1991. It has about 150 traditional buildings from different regions of Sweden, as well as an open-air zoo and an aquarium. Across the road is Gröna Lund, a lively amusement park.
The city boasts over 50 museums. No fewer than eight can be visited in the Djurgården area, including the Nordic Museum (Nordiska Museet), Waldemarsudde House, which was the home of the artist Prince Eugen until 1947, and Liljevalchs Konsthall. The Historical Museum (Historiska Museet) has some priceless treasures and implements from prehistoric Sweden, as well as examples of medieval art. The National Museum is Sweden’s central museum for the national collections of painting, sculpture, applied arts, printing and drawings.
Every visitor to Stockholm should invest in a special discount card, the ‘Stockholm Card’ (Stockholmskortet) which cuts sightseeing and entertainment costs. Cards of longer validity are available at an extra charge, in Stockholm from the Stockholm Visitor's Board (tel: (8) 508 28500).

Excursions
There is a whole armada of boat excursions on offer. ‘Under the Bridges of Stockholm’ takes a circular tour through part of the harbor as well as Lake Mälaren. A longer trip can be taken out into the archipelago to resorts like Saltsjöbaden, Sandhamn or Vaxholm. Visitors can also take a boat from the City Hall to Drottningholm Palace. The Royal Theater has been preserved in its original 18th-century form and plays are still performed there in period costume. There is also a museum depicting the development of the theater since the Renaissance period.

Gothenburg
The history of Sweden’s second city Gothenburg (Göteborg) is closely tied to the sea. The basic pattern of the city owes much to the Dutch architects who designed it; the spacious streets are laid out at right angles and there is a network of canals. The Nordstaden Kronhuset area houses the oldest building of the city, built in 1643 and now the City Museum. Nearby is Kronhusbodarna, an arts and craft workshop center dating from the 18th century. The Botanical Gardens (Botaniska Trädgården) contain a rock garden regarded as one of the most impressive in the world, with about 3000 species of Alpine plants. In the city center is the beautiful Garden of Trädgårdsföreningen with its Palm House, built in the style of London’s destroyed Crystal Palace. The Liseberg Amusement Park is an ideal spot for children. There are also many museums, such as the Maritime Museum (Sjöfartsmuseet) which illustrates Sweden’s maritime history and the development of its shipbuilding industry.
The Gothenburg Discount Card offering free admission to many tourist attractions can be purchased from the Gothenburg tourist office (tel: (31) 612 500).

Excursions
One of the best ways of sightseeing in Gothenburg is on one of the famous Paddan boats (30 April-25 September). Departure is from the terminal at Kungsportsplatsen for an hour-long tour under 20 bridges and out into the busy harbor. Another popular boat trip is to the 17th-century Nya Elfsborg Fortress built on an island at the harbor mouth. There are also sightseeing tours of varying duration by bus with an English-speaking guide. A cheap way of traveling around the city is to buy a 24-hour ticket on the tram network. Gothenburg and Stockholm are both starting points for the classic four-day trip through Sweden’s great lakes and the historic Göta Canal.

The Golden Coast
This area is situated in the southwest of Sweden and has vast stretches of beaches, warm sea and holiday resorts reaching for 400km (250 miles) from Laholm in the south to Strömstad in the north. Here there are flat, sandy beaches, bare rocks and fjord-like inlets with meadows stretching down to the seashore and tiny fishing villages.

Halland
This is a long, narrow province strung out along the picturesque west coast. Unlike its northern neighbor, Bohuslän (see below), its landscape is gentle, with mile after mile of long sandy beaches, often fringed with pinewoods. Inland, the scenery changes as it meets the tableland of Småland and the landscape is characterized by a series of ridges and valleys. There are also vast forests and heather-covered moors.
Areas of note are Kungsbacka, a northern market town and the nearby Onsala peninsula, ideal for bathing, sailing and fishing, and Fjärås Bräcka, an unusual gravel ridge formed during the Ice Age. Further south is Varberg, one of Halland’s main coastal resorts, dominated by the 13th-century Varberg Fortress. Other resorts are the port of Falkenberg and Tylösand, with its long sandy beach sheltered by dunes and pine trees. Halland’s capital is the important seaport and industrial town of Halmstad. Warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream, the west coast is a natural choice for seaside holidays.

Bohuslän
The long narrow province of Bohuslän has countless spots where visitors can enjoy an idyllic holiday in the sun. The coastline is deeply indented and there are hundreds of rocky islands. All along the coast are picturesque villages with their typical red-painted huts where the nets are hung out to dry. The province is also one of the most important centers of ancient Swedish civilization and there are many archaeological relics dating back to the Bronze Age and Viking times.

Excursions
Other towns worth visiting include Bovallstrand, Hunnebostrand, Kungshamn, Lysekil, Smögen and the islands of Orust and Tjörn.

Skåne
At the southernmost tip of Sweden is the province of Skåne, an area of fertile fields and meadows which was ruled by the Danes until 1658. To this day the Skånians have maintained their own distinctive dialect. As a reminder of the days of Danish rule there are more than 200 castles and manors scattered over the province, often forming part of a farm. This region is famous for its food (in particular the smörgåsbord), and the landscape is characterized by rolling fields and pastures and forests but only a few lakes. The best spots for swimming and fishing are along the east, south and west coasts. Inland there are countless small lanes ideal for cycling tours. For golfers, Skåne has some of the finest and most beautifully located courses in Sweden. Other main regional attractions include the medieval town of Lund which has a 12th-century cathedral and 14th-century astronomical clock, Båstad, Falsterbo, Helsingborg, Mölle and Ystad. There is also the Oresund bridge, the world’s longest single bridge carrying both road and railway traffic, which links Denmark and Sweden.

Malmö
Founded in the 13th century, Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city and offers a wealth of parks, gardens, restaurants and a beautiful beach. City sights include the main town squares, Mamöhus Castle and St Petri Church. Konsthallen and Rooseum museums are famous for their art collections. Especially recommended is the ‘Malmö Card’ which can be purchased at the Malmö Tourist Board (tel: (40) 341 200) and entitles visitors to free travel on local buses, free admission to museums and discounts on a wide variety of purchases.

Småland & Blekinge
In the middle of the 18th century, German immigrants established the province of Småland, north of Skåne, as the home of the Swedish glass-making industry. The ‘kingdom of crystal’ forms only a small part of Småland, a very large province that is also a good holiday country with vast forests, pleasant lakes and winding lanes along which red cottages are dotted. In the province of Blekinge there are large oak forests and softer landscapes. This region has many coastal towns that stretch along the Baltic. The Mörrumsån River is noted for salmon and sea trout and Lake Vättern for char fishing. Boat trips are available to the island of Visingsö on Lake Vättern. High Chaparral is a reconstructed wild west town.
Three-quarters of the Swedish glassworks are found in the counties of Kalmar and Kronoberg. They are located off the beaten track surrounded by vast tracts of forest and attract many visitors each year. Each of the 16 glassworks are open to visitors Mon-Fri 0800-1500, where the craftspeople can be observed and top-quality products can be purchased. Visitors may also be invited to a hyttssill – a traditional evening of entertainment including food of fried herrings, sausages and potatoes baked around the glass furnace, served with beer and schnapps. Most of the works have their own shops.

Gotland and Öland
These are Sweden’s largest islands, situated off the southeast coast in the Baltic Sea. There is more sunshine here than elsewhere, making it a favorite summer holiday spot with the Swedes and, as a result, the beaches are rather crowded. The islands are of particular interest to ornithologists and botanists and there is a wealth of historic sites – there are Stone, Bronze and Iron Age sites on both islands. Several ferries serve both islands and daily coach trips are available to Öland over one of Europe’s longest bridges, starting just outside Kalmar on the mainland. Cycles can be hired on the islands.

Gotland
On Gotland are the Lummelunda Caves with their spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and a preserved medieval town at Kattlundsgård. Visby is the main town.

Öland
On Öland are the royal summer residence at Solliden; Borgholm Castle; a restored medieval church at Gärdslösa; a recently excavated fortified village at Eketorp; and many Viking stones and local windmills. Borgholm is the main town.

Swedish Lakeland
This region comprises the nine provinces of Dalsland, Värmland and Västergötland in the west, Dalarna, Närke and Västmanland in the north, and Östergötland, Södermanland and Uppland to the east. These form a large part of Sweden with a mixture of open water, vast lakes, plains and meadows and large areas of wild natural scenery. The provinces in the west are dominated by Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake, while in the north and east are the lakes of Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Siljan as well as the Baltic Sea. The whole region is considered the cradle of Swedish culture, and it is here that the majority of Swedes live. For visitors there is a wide variety of hotels, campsites and country inns.

Excursions
Västergötland has the castle of Läckö, the Trollhättan hydro-electric waterfalls, canoe trips and fishing. Närke contains the Stjerhov Manor, and a 17th-century inn can be visited at Grythyttan in Västmanland. In Dalarna, visitors can meet Father Christmas at the Santaworld theme park. On the island of Sollerön there are Viking graves and in Kolmården there is a zoo and safari park. Gripsholm Castle is in Södermanland. The university city of Uppsala boasts Scandinavia’s largest Cathedral and the Baroque Castle of Skokloster, with a vintage car museum.

The Midnight Sun Coast
The Midnight Sun Coast is a 1500km (900 mile) stretch of Baltic coastline which runs all the way to the Finnish border. In the south are the spruce forests of the province of Gästrikland; immediately to the north of this region is Hälsingland with its spectacular views, extensive lakes and typical wood-built mansions. Forestry has traditionally been the dominant industry of Medelpad, today one of Sweden’s most industrialized areas, although there are plenty of opportunities for visitors who want to fish in unspoilt outback country or rent a cottage in the middle of a countryside rich in prehistoric monuments and relics of ancient cultures.
In the province of Ångermanland is some of Sweden’s most breathtaking scenery, consisting of forests, lakes, islands, fjords and mountains plunging dramatically to the sea. This magnificent district is called the High Coast. Västerbotten offers unspoilt wilderness and the Norrland Riviera coastline is ideal for a relaxed holiday. There are also countless clear lakes and rivers teeming with fish, and excellent roads lead inland to the southern part of Lapland.
Further north along the coast at Lövånger there are hundreds of renovated timber cottages which are rented out to holidaymakers. Nearer the Arctic Circle the air and water temperatures in the summer are much the same as in the Mediterranean and this area has an excellent sunshine record. Norrbotten is a fisherman’s paradise with plenty of mountain streams and sea fishing.

Lapland
The enormous expanse of Lapland, one of Europe’s last wildernesses, covers a quarter of the area of Sweden but has only 5 per cent of the population. It is both inviting and inhospitable: fell-walkers who leave the marked routes do so at their own risk. The best-known route is Kungsleden, which also gives experienced mountaineers the chance to climb Sweden’s highest peak, Kebnekaise. Other favorite areas for walking are the national parks of Sarek and Padjelanta. In the west the mountains soar up towards the Norwegian border and the region experiences rapid changes in the weather.
Jämtland, bordering southern Lapland, has plenty of good hiking and fast-flowing rivers for fishermen. It is known for its skiing. Wildlife is abundant in Härjedalen, with reindeer, buzzard, beaver, lynx and Sweden’s only herd of musk ox.

Excursions
The small northern village of Jukkasjärvi has received international reknown for its sculpted Ice Hotel, constructed from tons of snow and ice from the Torne River. It is rebuilt every winter after the summer thaw but attracts a number of tourists eager to experience the ‘ice beds’ and drinks from the Absolut Icebar. Lapps celebrate their annual church festivals in Gällivare. In Jokkmokk there are collections of Lapp art and culture, and a Lapp Staden, an old village of 70 cone-shaped Lapp huts. Arjeplog has an interesting Lapp museum. Iron Age burial grounds and a medieval church are on the island of Frösö. The cable-car trip from Åre leads up to the summit of Åreskutan. Ski resorts include Åre and Sälen.

Where to go in Norway

Norway’s scenery is its main attraction, particularly the fjords of the southwest and the North Cape (Nordkapp) which is a popular spot from which to observe the Midnight Sun of midsummer. However, the principal cities, among them Oslo (the capital), Bergen and Trondheim, offer a good choice of museums, historical sites and architectural interest for the visitor. The often mountainous inland countryside is ideal for those in search of true wilderness. Unless winter sport is the reason for visiting the country, its appeal is strongest in the months between May and September.
Population is sparse outside the main centers, but Norway is sufficiently large and regionally diverse to warrant geographical division here. There are five defined regions: Southern Norway (including Oslo); Fjordland and the Southwest; the uplands of Oppland and Hedmark; Central Norway; and the arctic North.

Fiordos cruises - Norway

Southern Norway
Oslo
Oslo, which celebrated its millennium in the year 2000, is Norway’s most populous district, providing a home for more than one-tenth of the country’s inhabitants in a mere 700th of its total area. For all this, urban and industrial development only occupies one-eighth of the land within the city boundaries, the rest consisting mainly of woods, islands in Oslo Fjord, and lakes.
The city has a strong arts culture, with a good choice of museums and galleries. The Munch Museum is the main draw among these, others include the National Gallery; the Norwegian Museum of Applied Arts; the Thor Heyerdahl Kon-Tiki Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum, both on Bygdøy Island to the west of the city center; the Viking Ships Museum; Oslo City Museum; and the Norwegian Home Front Museum, which tells the story of the country’s occupation during World War II. The Ibsen Museum was the playwright’s home prior to his death in 1906.
Away from the immediate city center, the Holmenkollen ski jumping complex with its Museum of Skiing is popular, as are the 12th-century Cistercian monastery ruins on Hovedøya, a short boat trip from the harbor. About 4km (2.5 miles) to the east of the city center lies Østensjøvannet, a lakeside bird sanctuary.
Principal architectural interest in Oslo focuses on the Kongelige Slott (Royal Palace), Stortinget (Parliament Building), the Cathedral and Åkershus Castle. Boat trips on the fjord are readily available, and the main shopping area is along Karl Johansgate, which runs from the Central Station to the Royal Palace. Guided city bus tours operate year round.
Oslo’s entertainment centers include the Norwegian National Theater; the New Theater; the Norwegian Opera House; Konserthuset (the Concert House); and Oslo Spektrum, the main rock and pop concert venue. Norway’s prime exhibition center is at Lillestrøm, one of the stops with the flytrain to Oslo.

The Oslo Fjord
Surrounding Oslo Fjord are the Fylker (counties) of Åkershus, Buskerud, Østfold and Telemark, all within a day trip of the capital. These are dotted with historic and prehistoric sites of varying importance, along with manor houses, stone churches (most are built of wood in Norway) and fortifications. Among the principal towns in the region, outside the capital, is Fredrikstad, the attractions of which include a picturesque Old Town and 17th-century Kongsten Fort. Close to Lillestrøm, to the northeast of Oslo, is Sørumsand, which boasts the Tertitten narrow-gauge railway and museum. The oldest building in the industrialized town of Drammen is the Skoger Old Church, which dates from 1200. Kongsberg is particularly well endowed with museums, among them the Silver Collection; the Royal Mint Museum; and the Arms Factory Museum. The Saggrenda Silver Mine is 8km (5 miles) from Kongsberg.
On the western shore of Oslo Fjord lies Sandefjord, with its Whaling Museum (Norway is one of just three countries worldwide still involved in commercial whaling).
Porsgrunn, near to Sandefjord, has long been a center of the porcelain industry, the Town Museum tells its story, while the Porcelain Factory is open to visits by appointment. At nearby Skien, birthplace of Ibsen, his childhood home contains a multimedia exhibition about the playwright. The navigable Telemark Waterway links Skien with the interior via a system of canals.
South of Oslo, an unusual wooden bridge over the E18 motorway, built to the 1502 design of Leonardo da Vinci and officially unveiled in October 2001, is well worth seeing.

Fjordland and the Southwest
Unquestionably, Fjordland and the Southwest is Norway’s most important tourist area, due to its scenery. Many visitors arrive on cruise ships working their way north along the coast from Stavanger via Haugesund to Bergen and the best known fjord of all, Sognefjorden. Førdefjorden, Hardanger Fjord and Nordfjord are among other notable scenic attractions in the region.
Near Sogndal, at the head of Sognefjorden, lies Urnes, whose wooden stave-built church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inland are the Hardangervidda Mountains, which rise to over 1700m (5600ft) and incorporate the National Park of the same name. To the north of Sognefjorden lies Europe’s biggest glacier, the Jostedalsbreen, and its surrounding National Park of the same name. Immediately to the east of this area is the Jotunheimen National Park, which contains Norway’s highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen (2469m/8100ft). Away from the fjords, on the southern holiday coastline of Vest-Agder, Fylke, is the port of Kristiansand, from which ferries serve Denmark and the UK.

Bergen
Former Hanseatic port and medieval Norwegian capital, the city’s appeal centers on the Hanseatic Bryggen harbor-side district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many buildings dating from the 17th century and earlier. Cable cars take visitors to the summit of Mount Ulriken, and a funicular railway climbs Mount Fløyen to give outstanding views over the city and coastline. Museums abound, and there is a large aquarium. Additionally, a broad choice of boat excursions plies the waters around the city, which is Norway’s busiest tourist destination.

Stavanger
Center of the country’s North Sea oil industry, Stavanger is Norway’s fourth largest city after Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim, with 96,000 inhabitants. Old Stavanger is Europe’s largest collection of wooden buildings. Other attractions here include the Norwegian Oil Museum, the unique Fish Cannery Museum (complete with sprat-smokehouse), and the Rogaland Art Gallery.

Oppland and Hedmark
Central southern Norway, comprising Oppland and Hedmark, is a land of mountains, spectacular glacial valleys, including Gudbrandsdal (one of Norway’s longest and most beautiful), and high plateau.
Lightly populated throughout, apart from the larger centers of Elverum, Hamar, Kongsvinger and Lillehammer (site of the 1994 Winter Olympics), this is a region of small settlements suitable for those seeking solitude and wilderness – or winter sports facilities. Kongsvinger’s Festning (fortress) dates from the 17th century, but never came under Swedish attack. To the north is the Dovrefjell National Park – mythical home of the Mountain King (Dovregubben) immortalized by Grieg, and where musk oxen are occasionally spotted roaming wild on the high plateau.

Lillehammer
The country’s biggest skiing and winter sports center, offering both Alpine and Nordic disciplines, Lillehammer stands on the banks of the Mjøsa Lake, Norway’s largest with an area of 362 sq km (140 sq miles), and which reputedly conceals a ‘Loch Ness’ monster. Among non-winter-specific attractions in the town are the Norwegian Olympic Museum, the Maihaugen Open Air Museum (which features a collection of over 170 historic buildings from the Gudbrandsdal area), and the Art Museum, with its extensive Norwegian collections.

Hamar
At the northern end of the Mjøsa Lake, Hamar contains the Hedmark Museum, dedicated to the medieval period. There is also a Museum of Holography, unique in Norway, and the Olympic Hall, which staged skating events during the 1994 Winter Olympics. The Cathedral, restored in 1954, has origins dating back to the 11th century dawn of Norwegian Christianity.

Central Norway
Like most of the rest of Norway, the central region is largely mountainous, but the peaks do not rise as high as those of the southwest. This is the area where the country narrows on a west to east axis, and the Swedish border is never far away.
Mid-Norway consists of three large Fylker: Møre og Romsdal; Sør-trøndelag; and Nord-trøndelag, between them home to about one-seventh (635,000) of the Norwegian population. A quarter of them live in and around Trondheim, the country’s third largest city. It lies on the southern shore of Trondheimsfjorden, which although not spectacular scenically when compared to the fjords of the southwest, is one of the largest, stretching more than 70km (44 miles) inland. Other larger towns include Ålesund, Kristiansund, Molde (which stages a major annual summer international jazz festival), Namsos and Steinkjer.
Outside Trondheim, by far the most important attractions in the region are the former copper-mining town of Røros to the east, and the historically significant Stiklestad, a short distance south of Steinkjer. It was at the latter that Christianity first came to Norway, when St Olav met his end during a battle in 1030. To the south of Trondheim, the mountain village of Oppdal is an important skiing resort.

Trondheim
Founded in 997 AD as Kaupangr, and later called Nidaros, Norway’s early capital has a number of major attractions, not least the Nidarosdomen Cathedral, which dates from the late 11th century. Built over St Olav’s grave, it has been a center of pilgrimage since medieval times. Elsewhere, the Ringve Museum is famous for its collection of rare historic musical instruments, while the Trøndelag Folk Museum incorporates the ruins of a 12th-century castle. Stiftsgården, the Trondheim palace of the Norwegian Royal Family, is a fine 18th-century wooden building in the city center. Across the river stands the Kristiansten Festning fortress. The former island monastery of Munkholmen in the fjord is a popular boat excursion.

Røros
One of just four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Norway, Røros is a small but picturesque mountain town near the Swedish border; from the 17th century until the 1980s it had been a copper mining and smelting settlement. Principal attractions are the Old Town, the wooden church and the Mining Museum. Close to Røros is Olavsgruva, an early mine now open to visitors.

The North
Although encompassing only three Fylker, Finnmark, Nordland and Troms, this vast and wild region extends for more than 1200km (750 miles) northwards from Nord-trøndelag across the Arctic Circle to the Nordkapp (North Cape).
Less than 500,000 people inhabit the region, around one-tenth of whom are of the Sami (Lapp) ethnic group. Their ‘capital’ is at Karasjok in Finnmark.
Mo-i-Rana is about 80km (50 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, where there is a visitor center (Polarsirkelsenteret) by the main E6 road. Further north are the coastal cities of Bodø, Hammerfest and Tromsø, while Alta (with its nearby UNESCO-listed prehistoric cave carvings), and Kautokeino (traditionally Norway’s coldest town), lie inland. Kirkenes, on the Russian border, offers the Borderland Museum and a gallery devoted to the work of John Savios, a Sami artist.
The North Cape is a major attraction: people come to observe the summer Midnight Sun. The North Cape Hall, built into the side of a mountain, and with panoramic views out to sea, is the main visitor center here.

Where to go in Finland

Over the country as a whole, there are marked differences in climate and landscape, with corresponding regional variations in traditions, culture and food. Seasonal variations are particularly marked in the north; in Lapland, for instance, the winter sports season lasts until May, and the midnight sun shines night and day for the whole of June and part of July. Autumn is also worth seeing for, in September, the first frosts produce the vivid colors of ‘Ruska’. In southern Finland, spring comes earlier and summer is longer. At midsummer, daylight lasts for 19 hours and there are generally many hours of warm sun.

Helsinki
There are approximately half a million inhabitants in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, making it the most densely populated region in Finland. The area comprises four towns, Helsinki (the capital), Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. However, only half of the 800 sq km (300 sq miles) that it occupies is actually developed. The rest consists of parks, forests, shoreline and lakes. In many places, there are historical sights – old manors and churches – as well as buildings by the best-known of Finnish architects, including Dipoli Hall at the Helsinki University of Technology in Otaniemi, an internationally acknowledged 20th-century masterpiece.

Finnish Archipelago and Åland Islands
Finland is surrounded in the south, southwest and west by the Baltic, the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia. The coastline is highly indented and its total length is 4600km (2760 miles). Around the coast is a vast archipelago of thousands of islands.
The coast and archipelago are largely composed of granite rocks, either grey or red, but these are generally low-lying. In many places there are long unspoiled sandy beaches. There are no tides to speak of, so the appearance of the seashore does not differ much from the lakeshores. In addition, the seawater is not very salty as very little water of high salt content passes through the Danish straits, and the many rivers, as well as the rainfall, contribute more water to the Baltic than is lost by evaporation. A special feature of the Baltic is that the land is constantly rising from the sea, as much as 9mm a year in the narrow part of the Gulf of Bothnia - a long-term result of the end of the Ice Age. The archipelago can be explored by local cruises from many coastal towns.
Southwest Finland and the Åland Islands are the warmest part of the country and more deciduous trees grow here than anywhere else in the country. Fruit and vegetables are cultivated extensively and 20 per cent of the country’s fields are here.
For historical reasons, a large proportion of the Swedish-speaking population of Finland lives in this region and is concentrated in the Åland Islands, the Turku Archipelago and on the south coast. The region is often spoken of as the cradle of Finnish civilization and the area has a larger concentration of granite churches and manors than elsewhere.

Main towns & resorts
Hämeenlinna, Hamina, Hanko, Hyvinkää, Kotka, Kouvola, Kuusankoski, Lohja, Mariehamn and Åland Islands, Naantali, Parainen, Pori, Porvoo, Rauma, Riihimäki, Tammisaari, Turku and Uusikaupunki.

Finnish Lakeland
The majority of Finland’s 180,000 lakes are situated between the coastal area and the eastern frontier covering an area some 100km- (60 mile-) wide. The lakes are a veritable maze with their profusion of bays, headlands and islands. Sometimes they open out into broader stretches. They are linked to each other by rivers, straits and canals forming waterways which in former times were a principal means of communication. Nowadays, they are attractive routes for the tourist. As the lakes are usually shallow and the surrounding land is not high, the water soon becomes warm in summer. Many summer festivals of all kinds take place in the lakeland area, often in beautiful country settings.

Eastern Lakeland
The eastern region is an area of interconnected lakes which is dominated by Lake Saimaa, a vast expanse of water. Dotted over their surface are no fewer than 33,000 islands and the shoreline is 50,000km (80,000 miles) long. A network of waterways joins the lively Savo towns, such as Savonlinna with its medieval Olavinlinna Castle, the best preserved in Scandinavia. The Savonlinna Opera Festival is held annually in July. In addition to operas performed to international standards, there are a number of concerts. Kuopio is known for its food specialty kalakukko (a rye bread pie with fish and pork filling).

Western Lakeland
Jyväskylä, Tampere, Lahti and Hämeenlinna region. This area comprises two major waterways, the oldest of which, the Finnish Silverline, runs between Hämeenlinna, birthplace of Sibelius, and Tampere, through fertile agricultural lands which are fairly densely populated. Lahti, a winter sports center, lies at one end of Lake Päijänne where the land is higher and steep rocky cliffs rise to as much as 200m (650ft). At the other end is Jyväskylä, famous for its modern architecture.

Forest Finland
The remoteness of Forest Finland has meant that the beauty of the wild, vast forests, rivers and lakes has remained unspoiled. It is a popular area for canoe and hiking trips, and rapid-shooting. Northern Karelia, the southernmost part of Forest Finland, lies in the ‘bulge’ to the east of Lake Pielinen. The Koli Heights (347m/1138ft), the highest point in Northern Karelia, overlook the lake. A large percentage of the Finnish Orthodox population lives here, and the region has preserved its own special character, customs and food. One specialty is known far beyond the region, the Karjalan piirakka, a Karelian (rice and potato) pasty. Kainuu, the district around Lake Oulujärvi, is wild and beautiful with vast forests, marshes, deep lakes and rapids. Vuokatti, near Sotkamo village, specializes in cross-country skiing.

Main towns & resorts
Iisalmi, Imatra, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kajaani, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Lieksa, Mikkeli, Nurmes, Outokumpu, Savonlinna, Tampere, Valkeakoski and Varkaus.

Ostrobothnia
The west coast area of Ostrobothnia, with its long sandy beaches (of which the dunes of Kalajoki are the best known), is an agricultural region with a sunny climate and less rain than elsewhere. There are islands between Vaasa and Kokkola with old fishermen’s villages. Hailuoto Island, with its interesting fauna, can be reached by ferry from Oulu, the area’s chief commercial and university center. Picturesque old wooden houses are still a feature of the coastal towns. Traditions are maintained in many local festivals where Pelimannit play music handed down through the generations. A number of Swedish-speaking Finns live on the coast. Seinäjoki has administrative buildings designed by Alvar Aalto. Ähtäri Wildlife Park is 80km (130 miles) southeast of Seinäjoki. The region just south of the Arctic Circle along the eastern frontier is centered round Kuusamo. In Oulanka National Park, rivers with rapids run through gorge-like valleys. Seine fishing (using vertical nets) takes place on Lake Kitkajärvi. In summer, there are numerous hiking routes. Ruka Fell is a popular winter sports center.

Main towns & resorts
Kokkola, Oulu, Pietersaari, Raahe, Seinäjoki and Vaasa.

Lapland
Finnish Lapland is a place for those who wish to enjoy the peace and quiet of a remote area either in the comfort of first-class accommodation out in the wilds or in more primitive conditions. Lapland can offer gastronomic delights such as salmon and reindeer prepared in many ways, and the rare golden cloudberry. It is a very large area of 100,000 sq km (38,000 sq miles). Between the many rivers are vast uninhabited areas and swamps. In the valleys, pine and spruce grow, but the most northerly regions are treeless tundra or low-fell birch scrub. Many fells have gently rounded treeless tops. There are only four towns in the province: Rovaniemi (the provincial capital), Kemijärvi, Tornio and Kemi. The whole of the rest of Lapland is very sparsely populated with a density of only slightly over two persons per sq km. Of the 200,000 inhabitants, about 3900 are Lapps and 600 Skolt Lapps, the latter belonging to the Orthodox church. About 200,000 reindeer roam freely on the fells. They are the property of 5800 different owners. There are reindeer round-ups from September to January. Special reindeer-driving competitions take place in March with participants from all over Lapland.
As regards scenery and communications, Lapland can be roughly divided into two areas: Eastern and Western Lapland.

Eastern Lapland
Suomutunturi, on the Arctic Circle, is a well-known winter sports center, as are Pyhätunturi, Luostotunturi and Saariselkä Fells. At Porttikoski and Simo, there are traditional lumberjack competitions in summer. Further north, Tankavaara is a gold-panning center. Inari village lies on the third-largest lake in Finland, Lake Inari, with 3000 islands, on one of which stands an old Lapp sacrificial palace. The Sami Museum is devoted to the history of the Lapps. In the wilds lies Pielpajärvi Church. The River Lemmenjoki flows into Lake Inari and is another well-known gold-panning region. The Lemmenjoki National Park has marked routes for hikers.

Western Lapland
The scenery differs from Eastern Lapland and the ground is higher. The fells rise in bare and impressive ranges. Among the best known are Yllästunturi, Olostunturi and Pallastunturi. All of them are winter sports centers but are attractive in other seasons and are especially popular among hikers. Haltia Fell, the highest in Finland, at 1300m (4265ft), and Saana Fell, 1029m (3376ft), lie on the border between Finland, Norway and Sweden. In the north is the Lapp village of Hetta, scene of colorful festivities on Lady Day in March.

Main towns & resorts
Kemi, Kemijärvi, Rovaniemi and Tornio.

Ski Resorts
The major ski resorts include: Pallastunturi, Saariselkä, Pallas, Levi, Ylläs and Luosto/Pyhä (in the North); Rovaniemi, Ruka, Iso-Syöte, Vuokatti, Koli and Tahko (in central Finland); and Himos and Lahti (in the south). All of the major resorts are easily accessible from the nearest airports or railway stations; the number of slopes varies from five to 36, while cross-country skiing trails vary in total length from around 100 to 250km (63 to 157 miles). For further details, contact the Finnish Tourist Board (see General Info section), which also publishes a special brochure on winter activities; see also Activities section.