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Helsinki Card

Helsinki Card entitles you to free travel and entrance to several museums and tourist attractions. Further information from the Tourist Centre.

History

Gustav Wasa, the King of Sweden, founded Helsinki as a commercial seaport in 1550 at the mouth of River Vantaa. The massive Suomenlinna Sea Fortress dates from the 18th century. In 1812 Helsinki became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland and in 1917 the capital of the independent Finland. Many historical sights of the city are from the early 19th century, when the Senate Square became the administrative centre of the city.

Also the Suomenlinna-Sveaborg Museum Fortress is one of the most important sights in Helsinki

Architecture

The Senate Square and its Empire style buildings like the Lutheran Cathedral, the University and the Council of State Building have remained the finest architectural sights in Helsinki.

A new commercial centre has emerged near Hakaniemi Market. On the El?intarhanlahti Bay are the City Offices and the City Theatre. The Finlandia House, venue of conferences and concerts, is located in the Hesperia Park on the T??l?nlahti Bay. Next to it is the new National Opera of Finland. The Temppelinaukion kirkko Church in T??l? is the most popular sight in Helsinki.

Helsinki is a maritime town. The busy Market Square with its fruit and flower stalls and white seagulls is right at the seaside. The Suomenlinna Fortress is only a short trip away and so is the Pihlajasaari recreation area, the beaches of which are very popular in summer. You can go to Korkeasaari, the Helsinki Zoo, either in summer by ferry or by car all-year. Seurasaari contains a large recreation area and a unique open-air museum.

All the motorways in Finland start in Helsinki. Along the western coast runs the road called Jorvaksentie and another one – Tarvontie – goes northwest. The coastal railroad goes to Hanko. There is a railroad to Turku and the main railroad goes north, the final destination being Kemij?rvi. The trains to Eastern Finland go all via Riihim?ki. The central airport for domestic as well as international flights is the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. The Finnish national air company is Finnair. The most important sea links are the round-the-year links to Sweden, Germany and Estonia.

ROAD TRAFFIC

Finland has a dense road network which covers the entire country and is in good condition. The only traffic jams occur during public holidays and the holiday season in summer. The frost can damage the roads in Northern Finland. The damages are also caused by stud tyres that are used in winter.

Finland has right-hand traffic. In private cars seat belts must be worn both in the front and the back seat. Driving with headlights is compulsory outside built-up areas and everywhere if it is dark. The basic speed limit is usually 80 km/h, 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100-120 km/h on motorways during the summer. At present there are no road tolls.

AIR TRAFFIC

The centre of international air traffic is the Helsinki – Vantaa Airport. It has also good connections with other parts of Finland. Finnair is the air line responsible for domestic flights.

TRAIN AND COACH TRAFFIC

A railroad network covers most of the country, reaching as far north as Rovaniemi. Long driving distances are made easier by car transporting fast trains trafficing between northern and southern Finland. The coach traffic is good and reliable. Information about timetables, tickets and prices is available at coach stations and tourist agencies.

OTHER TRAFFIC

In the metropolitan area there are local trains, buses, trams and underground. The intervals are short and it is easy to change from one kind of transport to another. The regional tourist ticket is valid on all public transport within one hour. It costs 15 FIM.

Taxis are reliable and you can get one quite easily from a taxi stop or ordering by phone. 15 km journey by taxi costs about 120 FIM depending on the time of day.

MONEY AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE

The monetary unit is the Finnmark (FIM) which is dividable into 100 pennies. There are 1000 mk, 500 mk, 100 mk, 50 mk and 20 mk notes and 10 mk, 5 mk, 1 mk, 50 p. and 10 p. coins. Rates of exchange (8.2.1999): 1 DM = 3,0 FIM, 1 USD = 5,3 FIM, 1 SEK = 0,68 FIM, 1 GBP = 8,8, FIM. Currency can be changed in banks (open on weekdays 9-16.15) or in private currency exchange points. The value of Euro is approx. 5.95FIM.

MEDICAL CARE

In case of illness you should contact a health-care centre. Medicines and first aid kits are available in pharmacies. There are health-care centres and pharmacies almost in every municipality

ECONOMY

Finnish economy is on its way to recovery after the depression in the early 1990s. Although the educational standard is rather high compared to many other countries, the unemployment rate is still very high. On 31.12.1998, the unemployment rate was 15,1 %.

The most important export articles are woodprocessing and metalworking products. Also the export of high technology products is gaining in importance. In the field of telecommunications Nokia mobile phones are already quite well-known around the world.

HOTELS

There are about 800 hotels in Finland. You can get information about them in this travel guide. Compared to other countries Finnish hotels are comparatively new. As for their construction and facilities they are of high standard. A high class hotel is equipped with a sauna, a restaurant, and the rooms have a modern bathroom, minibar, TV and video and there are various activity rooms. Finland`s hotel capacity is growing, but it is still insufficient especially in the Helsinki region. Conferences and larer events as well as the new millenium are causing cowdedness, so rooms should

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