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Helsinki
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| City of Helsinki Founded 1550 Capital of Finland 1812 Total area 686 sq.km Sea 500 sq.km Land 186 sq.km Mean temperature (whole year 2004) 6.2°C Warmest month August, mean temperature 17.3°C Coldest month January, mean temperature -5.7°C Total population (2004/2005) 559,046 Men 46,6 % Women 53,4 % Finnish-speaking 86,7 % Swedish-speaking 6,2 % Total population in the Helsinki Region (2004/2005) 1,240,482 |
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By Air: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has for several years been rated as one of the world's best airports. The airport is located about 16 kilometres north of the city centre. Direct flights to Helsinki are operated from all major cities around the world. Information available at:
http://www.ilmailulaitos.fi/home
By Ferry: frequent ferry service between Finland and European countries such as Germany and Baltic countries is also a pleasant way to reach Helsinki, offering a number of daily sailings by different shipping companies. Reservations should be made well in advance, especially for the summer season.
Information available at:
http://www.vikingline.fi/index.asp?lang=en
http://www.lindaliini.ee/index.php?lang=eng&sess=a95b1cfda3fa3dd041c0d54fdaf252bc
http://www.ferrycenter.fi/finnlines/en/index.shtml
By Train & by Bus: there are also daily trains and buses to Finland from Russia.
Train information available at: http://www.vr.fi/heo/eng/index.html
Bus information available at: http://www.matkahuolto.fi/english/index.html
Travel Requirement to Finland (Visas): EU citizens only need their national identification papers when travelling to Finland. Citizens from most other countries will need only a valid passport. Please contact your local Finnish embassy or consulate for details regarding visa applications. More information on visas is also available at: http://www.formin.fi/english/
Access to Hotels from the Airport: Finnair provides regular bus transportation between the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the City Terminal near the Railway Station at a cost of approximately €5.20. Buses from the airport to the city run every 20 minutes (05:45 a.m. to 01:10 a.m.). There is also a local bus no. 615 operating from the airport to the city centre.
Taxis between the airport and the Helsinki city centre are approximately €30 (25 minutes). Group taxis are also available at the airport (Yellow Line and Airport Taxi: more information available at http://www.airporttaxi.fi
Public Transport Helsinki: It has an excellent public transportation network of buses, trams and underground trains. They operate from 06:00 a.m. until midnight or 01:00 a.m.
Tourist Passes for 1, 3 or 5 days are valid for trams, buses and the underground. More information is available at http://www.ytv.fi/eng Information can be found at: http://www.hel.fi/tourism/en/suunnittele_saapuminen.asp, http://www.visitfinland.com
Additional information can be found at: http://www.hel2.fi/hkl/english/08_extra/MM/liikenne.html
Popular “Tram Routes”
The following are some routes that take you through some of the most visited places and buildings in Helsinki City
1A - The tram moves from the market square and goes via the harbour and then to Eira - a residential area with some historic villas.
2 - The tram takes you to Töölo Bay, the Cathedral and then to Katajanoka harbour.
3B, 3T - Their routes are the best way to see the city.
They pass through the main sights - the cathedral, market square, parks and residential areas like Kallio that still has remnants of the Industrial Revolution. They also pass through the Museum of Workers Housing and 3T also goes to the children's favoured circus and games arcade - Linnanmäkki. Both trams can drop you off near Kaviopuisto Park and from there you can see the beauty of the archipelago with the nearby islands giving the sea front a splendid view of the sea entrance to the city.
4 - The tram glides you to the 1950s style residential area of Munkkiniemi.
From Laajalahdentie, a 30 minute walk ride along the sea front will take you to the Gallen-Kallela Museum. Another 30 minutes walk from Munkkiniemi will take you across the bridge to another famous place - Seurasaari Island. Before you get to the bridge, you can stop over at the former house of Finland's longest serving President - Urho Kekkonen. It is now a museum piece that attracts thousands of visitors from around Finland and the world.
6 – This tram will take you to Arabia area – About 7 km away of the city. There you will find Jaava, Damascus, Japan and India trekking Roads. There are also fascinating wooden houses. And the area is also well known for housing some of Finland's best design companies. Arabian porcelain Museum and Works is a must to visit as there you will see the skilled craftsmanship of Finnish designers.
7A and 7B - these two trams take you to the upper circuit of the city. You will pass through the new housing area of West Pasila, Pasila station, East Pasila and Vallilia old housing area and the new library. The state-owned TV and radio station (YLE) is located in Pasila. They all pass through the famous Senate Square.
8 - This is the tram that takes you from the East to the West. You will pass through Vallila church via Kallio, then go to Töölo, then to Ruoholahti, then to the Nokia Cable Factory. You will hop off along the way at the Arts Centre - located there are the museums of Photography.
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