Finland is harsh northern country... Eco-tourism is popular among travelers who come to this country. Finland is famous for its nature - numerous lakes, water canals, national parks. All this creates an excellent ecology in the country. The country's climate allows tourists to travel all year round. In summer, tourists prefer to visit amusement parks and museums under open air... And in the snowy winter, go to ski resorts or to the residence of Santa Claus.

A lot interesting places located in cities. Museums, fortresses and castles, ancient religious buildings - the choice is incredibly large. Attractions are located not only in the capital. In the historic centers of small towns, such as Rauma and Porvoo, you can see old buildings. Many of them are magnificent examples of Scandinavian architecture.

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What to see and where to go in Finland?

The most interesting and beautiful places to visit, photos and a short description.

1. Senate Square and Cathedral (Helsinki)

2. Esplanade Park (Helsinki)

The park is 400 meters long, with linden trees planted around the perimeter. Founded in the 1830s. The undoubted decoration of the park is the beautifully designed luxurious flower beds. The park contains many monuments to famous and historical figures. Cultural entertainment is represented by the Swedish Theater as well as one of the oldest restaurants, Kappeli. On its stage, artists of different genres perform daily.

3. Sveaborg Fortress (Helsinki)

The impregnable bastions of the fortress city of Sveaborg are located on rocky islands near Helsinki. This place is under the protection of UNESCO. The fortress houses a large number of museums of various subjects - a military museum, a customs museum, a weapons museum, a toy museum. Guided tours of the submarine that took part in the Second World War. On two islands you can see the remains of military fortifications.

4. Fortress Olafsborg (Savonlinna)

The first fortress in the defense military affairs of Finland, which was built taking into account protection from artillery shelling. Its construction began in 1475. It is currently popular tourist place, it houses several museums of different subjects - from the history of the castle to Orthodox icon painting. Opera festivals are held annually within the walls of the fortress. The event lasts about a month and is attended by about 60,000 people.

5. Abo Castle (Turku)

One of the oldest castles in the country, located in, founded in the XIII century. The impressive size, as well as the solid building materials - granite and brick, made it possible to use the castle not only for defense, but also as a prison or storage. The castle looks like a harsh military fortification, it has a medieval atmosphere. But inside its walls, a solemn atmosphere is created; the halls of the castle are often rented for events.

6. Old Rauma

The historic center of the city of Rauma. The city was founded in the 15th century, but the very first buildings of Old Rauma date back to the 18th century. Most of the old wooden buildings burned down in fires. Interesting wooden buildings are the House of the sailor Christie and the house of the ship owner Marela. They house museum expositions. Rare stone structures are represented by the Church of the Holy Cross and the City Hall.

7. Old town of Porvoo

A popular area of the city with buildings from the 18th century. New buildings were erected here after the fire in 1760. Travelers are attracted by the medieval flavor in cozy small courtyards and narrow cobbled streets. Especially interesting is a walk along the embankment of the Porvoonjoka River, surrounded by small brownish-red wooden houses. Porvoo Cathedral is one of the most popular religious buildings in Finland.

8. Monument to Sibelius (Helsinki)

Dedicated to one of the most revered composers in Finland - Jan Sibelius. The sculptor Eila Hiltuten has been working on the project of the monument for almost 10 years. It is a composition of 600 steel pipes. The music created by the wind creates an image of nature, which was often sounded in the compositions of Sibelius. The monument is often criticized for its ambiguity and is one of the most visited tourist destinations.

9. Temppeliaukio (Helsinki)

One of the most unusual churches in the world. Its interior is carved into the rock, and natural light enters it through glass domes. Rough and untreated rock creates unusual acoustics in the church. The organ of the church has 3001 pipes. One of the church's masses in 2016 was performed with hard rock music. About half a million people visit the church a year.

10. Kamppi Chapel of Silence (Helsinki)

The shape of the chapel resembles a wooden bowl without a handle. The internal walls are made of black alder, the external facades are made of spruce slats, and the furniture is made of ash. Silver altar cross. There is not a single window in the chapel. It does not hold services, its purpose is meetings and conversations in silence, far from the bustle of the world. Psychological assistance to parishioners is provided by both the ministers of the chapel and employees of social services.

11. Assumption Cathedral (Helsinki)

The height of the cathedral is 51 meters. Built at the end of the 19th century. The red brick walls are crowned with 13 gilded domes. The interior of the cathedral is made in a traditional Byzantine style. The columns are made of solid blocks of granite; the arched vaults, decorated with painting, abut against them. The main drawing is made on the upper part of the vault and above the altar. The Holy Spirit is depicted in the middle, the starry sky around.

12. Turku Cathedral

Lutheran temple built in the 13th century in the Gothic style. The building survived a severe fire, several reconstructions and rebuildings. At present, the height of the vault of the main nave is 24 meters, and the height of the tower of the cathedral is 101 meters. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with frescoes, and the chapels are decorated with stained-glass windows. The main attraction of the cathedral is the organ with 81 registers. The church has a museum dedicated to the history of the Cathedral.

13. Arktikum (Rovaniemi)

Modern architectural complex, which includes a museum and a science center. A feature of the building is the 172 meter long glass atrium. It is called the “portal to the Arctic”. The tunnel is located on the embankment of the Ounasjoki River. Natural materials typical of the region have been used in its design. Various exhibitions tell visitors about the culture and history of Lapland, the nature and exploration of the Arctic.

14. Athenaeum (Helsinki)

An art museum with the largest art collection in the country. The museum contains more than 20,000 exhibits of various types of art - sculpture, graphics, paintings. Presented are the works of masters from the middle of the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century. In total, more than 4000 paintings and about 700 sculptures are exhibited. The museum's collections contain paintings by famous artists - Repin, Van Gogh, Levitan, Chagall, Shishkin.

15. Seurasaari (Helsinki)

The island is an open-air museum. The houses and buildings of the museum are designed to acquaint visitors with the way of life and traditions of the Finnish people. 87 buildings were collected from all over the country. Among them there are examples of rural architecture of the 17th century, and the estates of wealthy peasants of the 19th century. The oldest museum building is a wooden church from the village of Karuna built in 1686. Several tens of thousands of visitors visit the museum annually.

16. National Museum of Finland (Helsinki)

It was built at the beginning of the 19th century in the style of romanticism of national architecture. The building is decorated with a tall cone-shaped tower. The expositions of the museum tell about the history of Finland - from the Stone Age to the present day. Most of the exhibits were found during archaeological excavations. The museum's collections are extensive in terms of topics - coins, weapons, orders, jewelry, they tell about the culture and traditions of the country.

17. Kiasma (Helsinki)

Modern Art Museum. It is considered one of the most visited in Finland. Opened in 1998 and to date has collected a collection of works by masters of our time from 4000 exhibits. Pictures, photographs, video installations, spatial art objects are presented. The building itself attracts attention no less than the exhibits within its walls. Its architecture is interesting with curved lines, mirrored windows reflect the sun's rays.

18. Turku Art Museum

It is located in a Romanic castle with gray walls. The building was built on the Puolalanmäki hill. The museum contains a rich collection of art objects - painting, graphics and sculpture, works of foreign and Finnish masters. There is an exposition of medieval wooden sculptures, a collection of weapons, coins and antique toys. Objects of art belong to different historical periods - from the Stone Age to the present day.

19. Helsinki Central Station

A world famous example of Finnish architecture. The building was built in the Northern Art Nouveau style, the project was developed by the architect Eliel Saarinen. The station was opened in 1919. The practical architecture of the modern building has been adorned with interesting details. The clock tower, almost 50 meters high. The walls of the restaurant hall are decorated with paintings. At the main entrance, sculptures were installed with lanterns in their hands.

20. Old Market Hall (Helsinki)

Founded in 1815, it is located on the embankment near the Trade Square. It attracts the attention of not only tourists, but also gourmets of Helsinki. The gastronomic shops offer a wide range of dishes, both traditional products and delicacies from Lapland. In total, there are about 40 retail outlets on the market. Recently, for a large-scale reconstruction, the market was closed for more than a year.

21. Wood processing factory in Werl

The industrial village of Verla has a unique atmosphere. The woodworking factory in it was founded in 1872, it is protected by UNESCO. Now it is a real industrial museum. In it you can learn the history of the development of the country's timber industry. The original factory buildings, factory machines and workers' houses have been preserved. The cardboard produced at the factory was exported to different parts of the world, even to South America.

22. Pyynikki Observation Tower (Tampere)

It is located in a nature reserve in the city of Tampere. The tower was built at the top of the ridge in 1929. The height of the tower is 26 meters, so its observation deck is 180 meters above sea level. It offers a beautiful view of the city and two lakes. There is a cafe on the ground floor of the tower. It sells delicious donuts, and local artists organize exhibitions of their paintings.

23. Lemmenjoki

Most large park Finland and one of the largest national parks in Europe. Its area is 2850 km². Most of the park is occupied by an impenetrable forest. In places accessible to tourists, more than 60 hiking trails... Trails lead to the main attractions of the park - the Ravadasköngäs waterfall, the Lemmenjoki river valley, Ukonsaari Island. You can also try your hand at gold mining - there are gold mines in the park.

24. Urho Kekkonen

A picturesque national park in the north of Finland. The main excursions start in the village of Saariselkä. About 180,000 tourists visit the park annually. Including families with children - for them, on the border of the park zone, there are resort areas where you can even go skiing. The unofficial attraction of the park is the Korvatunturi hill. As local legends say, Santa Claus lives on this hill.

25. Coastal Islands

National park, founded in 1938 and is part of a UNESCO nature reserve. Its peculiarity is its unusual landscape - several thousand islets and rocks. The larger islands have a permanent population. Among the fauna, moose are interesting representatives; seals and seals live in the coastal waters. The islands have a number of attractions - stone and wooden church, lighthouses and defenses.

26. Lake Saimaa

The largest lake in Finland is formed by eight bodies of water connected to each other. The area of the entire water surface is more than 4000 km². There are about 13,000 islands of various sizes in the waters of the lake. Among the abundance of inhabitants are the rare salmon pitchfork and the endangered Saimaa seal. Dense coniferous forests grow along the banks. This is a great place for outdoor recreation.

27. Saimaa Canal

A 60 km long water canal connects the Gulf of Finland and Lake Saimaa. It has eight locks, three of which are located in Finland, the rest in Russia. Both river and sea vessels can ply along the channel. Boat trip through Saimaa Canal popular with tourists. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the nature of the coast, historical sites, monuments and attractions.

28. Sapokka Water Park (Kotka)

A picturesque and well-groomed park in, beautiful at any time of the year. Flowers in it are planted so that their blooms replace each other. The main feature of the park is the use of water as the main element of landscape design. Ponds, streams, waterfalls create a special atmosphere. Natural stone is also used to decorate the park. Original compositions from it have repeatedly received awards at international competitions.

29. Imatrankoski (Imatra)

30. Yuyteri Beach (Pori)

The sandy beach in the west of the country is about 6 km long. Popular not only among locals, but also among travelers. Large areas of shallow water warm up well, and entry into the water is smooth. This is especially appreciated by vacationers with small children. For surfers and kitesurfers, Yuyteri Beach is one of the best places in the country. The waves here are not very high, but stable, which is especially valuable for beginners in these sports.

31.Särkänniemi (Tampere)

Amusement park, incredible size - its area is 50,000 m². There are 34 attractions for any category of visitors. There are small play areas for kids, and 30-meter slides for extreme adults. A separate entertainment area is inspired by the Angry Birds game. In addition to attractions, Särkänniemi Park has a planetarium, an oceanarium, a mini-zoo and the country's tallest observation tower.

32. Linnanmaki (Helsinki)

An amusement park located in the capital of the country. It has 43 attractions, slot machines, an oceanarium, an observation tower, cafes and restaurants. Popular Finnish artists perform on the open stage in summer. The annual number of visitors to the park is over a million people. The most popular attraction is the wooden roller coaster. The carousel installed in Linnanmäki in 1896 still operates in the park.

33. Joulupukki Village (Rovaniemi)

The village of Joulupukki (Santa Claus, or Ded Moroz) is located in Lapland, inside the Arctic Circle. It is traditionally believed that this is where the Finnish Christmas grandfather resides. This place is one of the most visited by tourists. There is a lot of entertainment at the Joulupukki Residence. There is a fabulous post office, a snowmobile museum, a reindeer farm. Guests are attracted by the "Snowman Ice World" zone with slides and ice sculptures.

34. Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Park

The park is located in a forest thicket. All 500 concrete sculptures in the park were created by the self-taught master Veijo Rönkkönen. The sculptor spent about 50 years on the creation of the works. He portrayed people, animals and fairy creatures. The cartoon figures evoke different emotions in the visitors. Someone admire them, someone calls them ugly and creepy. But no one remains indifferent. The entrance to the park is free, this is the desire of Veijo Rönkkönen himself.

35. Land of the Moomins (Naantali)

One of the best theme parks in the world where you can immerse yourself in a fairytale atmosphere. In it, you can meet your favorite characters and look at their lives. The park is located on an island and is an image of the Valley of the Mummy Trolls. It has a Moomin house and houses of other characters, a laboratory, talking trees. Artists play with children in the images of the heroes of the books of Tove Janson. Performances are held on the stage several times a day.

World of travel

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17.10.18 09:54

Endless forests, picturesque islands, turquoise lakes and clear rivers - Finland is incredibly beautiful! You will not find gaseous noisy megacities here, delightful cities and towns in Finland are located in the middle of waterways, from where the natural wonders of Suomi are just a stone's throw away. High-end shops and fashion boutiques dot the avenues of tourist cities in Finland, and the Arctic Circle promises real adventure, and it's not for nothing that Santa Claus's estate flourishes here. Historic centers and their old wooden buildings are magnificent, museums are famous for interesting exhibitions, and the influence of Russian and Swedish architecture is striking. Before you are the most beautiful cities Finland worth visiting.

Magical islands, eclectic architecture: delightful cities in Finland

Lappeenranta: fortress and resort

Lying on the shores of the largest lake in the country, Lappeenranta was originally a garrison town, but gradually developed into a charming resort. It belonged to the Swedish empire, and then for some time our compatriots ruled here. The huge fortress, the magnificent Lake Saimaa, its picturesque shores (Lappeenranta is part of South Karelia), wonderful cafes and the harbor make the Finnish city a tasty morsel for tourists. And since it is located near the Russian border, there is no end to our vacationers.

Porvoo: a kaleidoscope of wooden houses

Porvoo, the oldest (after Turku) city in Finland, is famous for its historical center - with unique warehouse buildings lining the banks of the river of the same name and wonderful cobbled streets. Porvoo was founded in the Middle Ages, and its proximity to Helsinki makes the city a great option for a day trip from the capital. Colorful wooden houses, an excellent culinary scene, unique cultural events - this is what Porvoo is worth visiting.

Vaasa: Mecca for Students

Vaasa, formed at the beginning of the 17th century, is home to many Swedes (the neighboring Scandinavian country is located on the other side of the Gulf of Bothnia, less than 80 kilometers away). The former name of the city of Finland is Nikolaystadt, since the Russians ruled here. The old town has been badly damaged by fire, so much of Vaasa is relatively modern. In general, this is a city of young people - there are three universities and many inexpensive bars and restaurants that have long been chosen by students. The nearby Norra-Kvarken Strait is amazing, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Savonlinna: St Olaf's Castle

Savonlinna is located in the center of the Saimaa lake region, borders Russia and occupies several small beautiful islands. This is an attractive place for lovers wildlife and spectacular lake views. The undisputed advantage of the city of Finland is the dramatic 15th century Olavinlinna Castle (or St. Olaf's Fortress), erected by the Swedes. It has hosted a fantastic opera festival every year for over a century. Be sure to take a walk along the harbor, drop by its cafes and the market square.

Jyväskylä: a popular rally

Another Finnish city located between two lakes (they are called Keitele and Päijänne), Jyväskylä is the largest settlement in the Lakeland region. Stunning architecture, bustling nightlife (there are many teenagers in the city), proximity to the magnificent lakes on which nice beaches- these are Yyväskuli's “trump cards”. This is a relatively young city, founded by Emperor Nicholas I in 1837. Car rallies have been held here since the beginning of the 1950s, and during this "hot" season the streets of Jyväskuli are filled with visitors.

Rauma: historic center protected by UNESCO

The old town of Rauma with its rhythmically beating "heart", market square, and atmospheric streets dotted with wooden buildings is the largest in Scandinavia, since 1991 it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Moreover, Rauma is an important port of the Gulf of Bothnia. The pride of the city is lace; a weekly annual festival, held since 1971, is dedicated to this craft and craftswomen. There are several small islands not far from the coast - in the summer there are hiking trails. tourist routes and when snow covers the ground, winter sports flourish.

Turku: the former capital

Turku, the former capital of Finland, is beautiful, there is a place to spend your time! In addition, it is the oldest (and sixth most populous) city in the country. Turku's impressive castle and cathedral date back to before the 13th century. Their ancient atmosphere coexists perfectly with a lively youthful "aura": Turku is full of students, as well as nightclubs and pretty bars. It is the cultural and scientific center of Finland, big port, the gateway to the West, from Turku it is easy to get to Stockholm and St. Petersburg (along the E18 highway). Carries its waters through the city beautiful river Aurajoki (here it flows into the Archipelago Sea). In winter, it is Turku that becomes the main city of Christmas with a stunning festive spruce.

Tampere: rugged rapids and galleries

With a rich cultural and artistic scene, two huge lakes, picturesque parks to which tree-lined streets lead, rapids running through the busy center - Tampere is not without reason considered one of the most beautiful cities in Finland. Once there was a large industrial power plant, then the old buildings were redesigned, they housed galleries, museums, cinemas. Scattered around the city are sculptures, interesting shops, restaurants, and locals and tourists are happy to spend time at night parties.

Rovaniemi: Santa's Wonderful Home

In the extreme north of the country, near the Arctic Circle, the most fabulous city Finland - Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and the home of Santa Claus. This is a popular tourist destination - who among us would not like to visit Santa or bring our children here? The city was almost destroyed during the Second World War, so outside the village of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is not the most attractive place with commonplace typical houses. But if you look at the "light" of the winter wizard (of course, during the holiday season), then you will ride reindeer sleds, take pictures near elegant buildings and firs winking with multi-colored illumination. And at the Arktikum Cultural Center you will learn a lot about Sami culture and local traditions.

Helsinki: eclectic architecture and Baltic charm

Of course, our list of the most beautiful cities Finland cannot be imagined without the country's capital, magnificent Helsinki, located on the Baltic. It is dominated by wonderful architecture, reflecting both the rich heritage of Finland and the influence of the Russian Empire - churches and cathedrals, wooden houses, Art Nouveau buildings, boutiques, galleries, shopping centers... Shopping in Helsinki is excellent, as are the restaurants here. There are fantastic gourmet cafes, healthy food eateries and national specialties. Islands, forest edges, beautiful beaches - the nature of Helsinki's surroundings has prepared for travelers a lot of pleasant impressions and charming surprises that can be found in any season, be it golden autumn, bright spring, snowy winter or warm summer.

Whatever eyes Russian immigrants look at Finland, this country is close and even dear. At one time, Finland generally existed as a part of Russia. Today the state has the status of a sovereign territory, and the living conditions of Finnish citizens can be envied even in Western Europe. The country, where there is practically no corruption, really looks interesting for those who are looking for a new way of life. Like any country in the world, Finland has its pros and cons.

Migrants in Finland: number, increase

According to the latest statistics, the number of immigrants who have entered permanent residence is 4% of the country's population, which is about 240,000 people. In addition, approximately 160,000 foreign residents are temporarily present in the country or hold dual citizenship.

... More often than others, requests for a residence permit are sent by citizens of Russia. The common reason for the request is: family ties (43%), employment (32%), education (22%) ...

http://yle.fi/uutiset/vid_na_zhitelstvo_v_finlyandii_chashche_vsego_zaprashivayut_grazhdane_rossii/6736183

The migration growth in Finland has been increasing in recent years. The average figure of this indicator is fixed at the level of 500 - 600 immigrants per year. A significant part of this figure is accounted for by labor migration. Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Portuguese and, of course, Russians go to work for the Finns. However, along with this, the number of emigrants is growing rapidly.

Living standards in Finland compared to Russia

If you look at the world ranking, the country has been in the TOP-20 in terms of living standards for many years (in 2018 - 15th line). In fact, this is already a distinctive feature of the country when compared with Russia, which in 2018 took 49th place in the ranking of living standards.

Finnish living standards are a kind of phenomenon... There are practically no hydrocarbon reserves on the territory of the country as in Russia. There is one wealth - the forest, which the Finns use extremely rationally and rationally. Meanwhile, Finland is actively engaged in high technologies and has moved far ahead in this area.

Naturally, in such conditions, ordinary people - citizens of the country - live comfortably and comfortably. The Finnish government actively supports and controls the life of citizens. For example, the quality of food is assessed with the participation of 18 special expert commissions. For comparison: in Russia there are only 4 similar commissions.

Video: first impressions of life in Finland for an emigrant from Russia

The following moment looks accidental against the background of absolute Finnish well-being:
... 2014 was the last year for 789 Finns who committed suicide. Poverty, unemployment, depression, alcoholism, lonely existence became the causes of suicide. In 25 years, suicides have been cut in half. 1990 record - 1500 suicides. The positive shift is attributed to the measures taken to help people with mental disorders get treatment and medications more easily. The attitude of others to the mentally ill has changed for the better ...

http://yle.fi/uutiset/v_finlyandii_napolovinu_sokratilos_chislo_samoubiistv_s_1990_goda/8631808

Educational sphere

The Finnish educational model resembles the Russian (more precisely, the Soviet) one. This is not surprising, since, being part of Russia in the past, the Finns borrowed all the best from the field of Soviet education and, as a result, brought primary school to an indicative level. Today the Finnish school (the prototype of the Soviet!) Is considered one of the best in the world.

Video: Russian student's impressions of the Finnish university

Finnish education is free for all levels of study... This moment is used by Russian immigrants. A significant part of them come to the country for the purpose of study. The country's higher education institutions are valued for the quality of their teaching. Universities stand out in particular:

Helsinki;
Turku;
Aalto.
Oulu;
Lappeenranta;
Finnish Academy of Arts.

All of the listed educational institutions, and, in particular, the last university on the list, are very popular among immigrants from Russia and other countries.

Analyzing the school and family environment, it is worth noting the peculiarities of the upbringing of school-age children. The rights of the child are jealously protected by the state. If parents cross the acceptable threshold of upbringing, they thereby violate the rights of minors. And this is already a serious article of the law, which is immediately applied by the authorities. There are no such rules in Russia. Good or bad is difficult to judge. But the difference in the lives of citizens of the two countries is obvious here as well.

Work and salary

Working in Finland is as attractive a goal for Russian labor immigrants as studying is for students. High earnings of up to 3 thousand euros per month are a tasty morsel. Finns pay decently even for workers without qualifications. Only now it is quite difficult for an immigrant to get a good job and a large income.... The unemployment rate among Russian immigrants is 30%, while the unemployed Finns are slightly more than 8%.

A highly paid position requires a residence permit - a residence permit. Obligatory knowledge of the Finnish language is rule number 1 for specialists. If the requirements are met, the Finnish side is happy to hire Russian immigrant professionals in the field of construction, Agriculture, internet technologies. Russian immigrants without qualifications remain in demand as servants in the hotel sector and medical institutions.

In terms of wages, the Finns are slightly behind the leading countries of the European Union. There is a significant difference in wages depending on the sphere and type of activity of enterprises. For example, in state-owned enterprises, labor remuneration is often higher than that of private firms. Surprisingly, employees over 65 receive higher wages compared to younger workers. Russian life here is different from Finnish too.

A striking feature of the Finnish labor market is the insignificant difference between the incomes of the rich and the poor.... In Russia, a manager of a raw materials company earns a million rubles a month, and a locksmith at a factory makes 15 thousand. The Finns, figuratively speaking, have a manager's salary of 4,000 euros, a factory locksmith's salary of 2,000 euros.

… Finland does not allow sky-high income divide. Company managers earn only two to three times more than ordinary workers. This factor strongly influences the crime rate, which is the lowest in the world in Finland ...

http://forum.forvip.ru/

Pensions and benefits

The country guarantees a decent level of social protection for the poor, pensioners, children, unemployed, young mothers.

The list of social support is impressive:

supplement to earnings for each child;
lump sum for the birth of children;
compensation for housing maintenance to pensioners;
disability payments;
unemployment benefits;
and a number of other positions.

Pension security provides for the payment of a labor pension accrued based on the results of labor activity. In addition to the labor pension, the following can be paid:

national pension;
pension payment to immigrants;
disability pension;
old age pension.

… The minimum pension (national pension) for single pensioners is 496 euros. Family pensioners are paid 436 euros (category 1 commune) and 400 euros (category 2 commune). You can only receive your full national pension if you have lived in Finland for 40 years. Recently, for elderly immigrants (over 65 years old and living in the country for more than 5 years), a special migrant allowance was established. The amount of the allowance is the same as the national pension ...

ELE_live
http://age60.ru/forum57.html

If the retirement pension is assigned according to the actual age - 63 years, then the old-age pension is assigned to persons whose age has reached 68 years. The average pension amount is 1,500 euros. In this case, pension accruals are taxed.

... Russian pensioners-immigrants are paid a social minimum. However, the purchase of medicines is paid for by the social service. A pensioner goes to a pharmacy, buys medicines there at his own expense, and then the money is returned to him. Pensioners can do eye surgeries for free - cataracts, glaucoma, etc. The social service also helps with paying for housing, if the pension is small ...

Faina
http://age60.ru/forum57.html

Health care

Health care in Finnish clearly characterizes such an indicator as life expectancy (79.7 years). Another significant criterion for the quality of medicine is the death rate of newborns (1.3 per 1000 births). Both indicators indicate that the medicine in Finland is at a high level.

The health care system is built on the basis of state institutions with the involvement of the practice of private doctors. At the same time, the private sector is under the strict control of the state. Medical services are paid for. However, contacting state clinics provides for compensation. Therefore, citizens spend no more than 20% of the total cost for treatment.

Finnish tax policy

The country's tax policy is a topic clearly separate from the discussion of the social benefits of Finnish society. Separate, because thanks to tax collections, all the national benefits of Finland are being called into question. If in Russia the same pensioners are exempt from taxes on real estate or on vehicle, Finnish pensioners pay in full.

The amount of income tax is set individually for each category of the commune (region of the regional territorial division). It can be 20% tax or 36%. Any additional income received is taxed at a rate that is 1.5–2 times higher. Thus, in comparison with Russia, the Finns have also succeeded here, but not for the better.

How many Russian migrants live in Finland

According to official information, Russian migrants make up 1% of the total population of the country. Just over 60 thousand people in digital terms. Ethnically, it is the third largest community in Finland. There are two Russian communities, different in the principles of origin. One is the immigrants of the old generation who settled on Finnish soil until the 90s. The other is the new wave of migrants that began to arrive in the early 1990s.

Until 1996, the flow of new Russian immigrants was practically unregulated. Settlers from the sub-ethnic group "Ingrian" rushed into the country. According to available data, there are about 25 thousand of them today. Later, the Finns tightened the requirements for the criteria of Finnish origin, plus they introduced the obligatory knowledge of the Finnish language. And today, Russian immigrants (with the exception of tourists) cannot cross the Finnish border in any way, if they have not passed the IPAKI test with level A2 (language test-exam).

Are Russians being treated well today?

The attitude is quite supportive. However, there are problems of discrimination against Russian-speaking immigrants in terms of their employment. This topic was touched upon even at the level of the Council of Europe. The European Commission on Human Rights has noted serious violations. The Finnish authorities quickly responded to the comments and even initiated the creation of a Fund for the Support of Russian Culture. Nevertheless, it is impossible not to notice the pronounced Russophobia among the native inhabitants of the country.

... The Finns do not understand why the Russians think that over the past 10-15 years they have become beggars? Has anyone seen the Russians with outstretched hands on the Finnish porch? Finland and Russia are brought together by their neighborhood, but the existing stereotypes make them perceive their neighbors inadequately ...

http://e-finland.ru/info/culture/otnoshenie-finnov-k-russkim.html

Finland is one of the most mysterious countries in the world. With its endless forests, thousands of lakes, stunning northern nature, hot sauna and fish cuisine, it attracts more and more tourists and lovers of ski resorts every year. Holidays in Finland will be interesting for large friendly companies and with family. Among the most beautiful cities in Finland and must-see places are the following:

1. Helsinki;

3. Aland Islands;

4. Hämeenlinna;

5. Jyväskylä;

6. Lemmenjoki National Park;

7. Sights of Oulu;

9. Lake Savonlinna;

10. Tammisaari Archipelago;

11. Tempere.

Each of the above cities and places of recreation has its own characteristics, subtleties of architecture and landscape, but they are united by all the hospitable inhabitants and the mass, hitherto unknown for you corners of nature, which will amaze to the depths of the soul and will certainly leave behind an unforgettable experience.

Helsinki - the capital of the Land of a Thousand Lakes

The first on our list of attractions in Finland is rightfully its heart - the capital of Helsinki. The lively northern city will amaze you with its untouched nature, but at the same time with a very developed infrastructure and a huge number of historical and cultural monuments. It is difficult to say exactly what is Helsinki's business card, since each of the cultural monuments is interesting and beautiful in its own way, but one can note such places as the National Museum, a Gallery rich in masterpieces, and three huge theaters. In the suburbs of the city, connoisseurs of antiquity can visit several churches made of gray stone. In Helsinki, there is the Assumption Cathedral, the largest in Western Europe, and the Lutheran Church, which was built in the Temppeliaukio rock. The church is equipped with a glass ceiling, so during the day during the service in the temple, a lot of light gets inside and you can watch the play of shadows. It is very difficult to convey in words the beauty of what is happening during the liturgy, it really needs to be seen with your own eyes.

The Aland Islands untouched by modern times

The Aland Islands have their own unique and very interesting story... Today the island is home to 27,500 people. The entire industry of the island lies in shipping, which reminds tourists of the Shipbuilding Museum and the Sea Square. Nearby there is another equally interesting corner - the Jan Karlsgården Museum. It clearly displays all the nuances of an old island farm that existed in 1890.

Hämeenlinna - a village that honors its famous inhabitants

Speaking of the most beautiful cities in Finland, one cannot fail to mention the city of Hämeenlinna. It is located on the surface of the lake called Vanajavesi. In this city, there is a famous landmark of Finland - the Red Brick Castle. Spread out nearby beautiful park the name, once born here, composer Jan Sibelius. Locals value their famous fellow countrymen, therefore they honor their memory. Also, in Hämeenlinna there are museums named after composers, and a church with a bust of another resident of the city - the poet Paavo Kayander.

Industrial center of Finland

Jyväskylä combines several features - it is considered a fundamental transport hub, as well as an industrial appendage, where most of the woodworking and metallurgical industries are concentrated. The city is famous for its festivities and its combination of medieval stone buildings and wooden dwellings. In Jyväskylä you can see the old neo-Gothic City Church, the Municipal Theater, a couple of monuments to Finnish poets and the Government Offices.

The Northern Lights inspiring poets

If you have already had the opportunity to visit the country where Santa Claus or Santa Claus, as they call him there, lives, then you simply must see the Northern Lights. For modern people to see this spectacle is a dream, but the inhabitants of the country see it quite often. In winter, all tourists are guaranteed a show of lights. Many hotels are being built so that guests of the country can watch this miracle.

Lake Saimaa and Savonlinna

This part of the country has more water in its possession than land. Hills, shores, lakes and coniferous forests are the main features of the city of Savonlinna. This is a resort town located on one of the islands. Visiting this village, you will immediately be struck by such a landmark in Finland as Olavinlinna Castle. Many halls will plunge tourists into the world of unexplored antiquity and tell about the cultural heritage of the Finnish people. In the Chapel of the castle, wedding ceremonies and religious events are often held, if you are lucky enough to participate in them, you will remember this for a long time. For lovers of water walks, there are excursions by lakes in neighboring cities countries that will also delight you with a lot of new experiences.

Picturesque corners worth visiting

In addition to the above listed places, there are many more beautiful cities in Finland and its attractions. Wildlife lovers will be interested in visiting Lemmenjoki National Park, the largest park in the country, with pristine forests covering 1000 sq. km. Hundreds of hiking trails, compact cottages with a fireplace and a hot Finnish sauna will surprise the most demanding travelers. A wide variety of wild animals can be found in Lemmenjoki Park.

Also worth a visit are such beautiful cities in Finland as Turku - the most Old city Finland and Vaasa with a giant nature reserve, an indoor water park and a crater from a once-fallen meteorite.

The cultural attractions of Finland are not limited to these cities, you can independently think over your route and move to those places that will be of interest to you and your family. In any case, you will definitely be pleased that you have chosen this particular country for your vacation ..

Finland: where to go, what to see. List of largest and most beautiful cities in Finland on the map.

Finnish cities - where to go?

Finland is located in northern Europe between Sweden in the west and Russia in the east. She is widely known for effective medicine and education, which is included in the list of the best in the world. Finland is one of the most popular countries in Europe for travelers. People come here for the uniquely beautiful nature.

In this article, I have compiled a list of cities in Finland where you can go for a weekend or longer vacation with your family, child or alone, in winter or summer. Especially if you are going to Finland for the first time and do not know where to go.

Map of Finland with cities in Russian

Finland cities to visit

Helsinki

Helsinki city, Finland© iceninejon / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Helsinki is the main city of Finland, its capital and largest city. In the Baltic Sea neighborhood lies a striking archipelago of 330 islands. The best way to get to know Helsinki is by walking and public transport.

It is best to come here in summer, because there are a lot of beautiful places in the vicinity of Helsinki: parks, houses with beautiful architecture, lakes, which are best visited in comfortable warm weather. In addition, at this time, children go on vacation in all directions, and the city hosts many festivals and parties.

Like many other capitals, Helsinki has a lot to offer tourists. This and interesting excursions, and restaurants where you can taste unusual Finnish cuisine. There are many restaurants in Helsinki that cook in the "grandmother's style", i.e. drawing on local culinary traditions. Where to go shopping in Finland is Helsinki.

Tampere

Another great option where to go in Finland is the city of Tampere. You can find it in southern Finland, sandwiched like a sausage in dough between two lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. These lakes are very popular with fishermen, here you can go boating and fishing. There are many public saunas nearby. And the sauna, as you know, is a favorite way of leisure for the Finns. Tampere is also the best time to visit in summer.

Tampere is the second largest city in Finland and is known for its rich cultural life. There are a lot of museums here, one is even dedicated to Lenin. Tampere is popular with both tourists and locals. If you come here, be sure to go to the Särkänniemi amusement park, which is famous throughout the country. Especially if you are traveling with children, they will be delighted with the abundance of entertainment, slides and carousels.

Espoo

Espoo is another major city in Finland and can be easily reached from Helsinki. Espoo is home to the country's largest museum dedicated to contemporary art - the Espoo Museum Modern Art, and this is far from the only museum in the city.

Travelers interested in active rest who do not have time to get to know the rest of Finland other than the capital and the surrounding area can come to Espoo for the Nuuksio National Park.

In Espoo, you will find 11 seaside beaches and 10 lakeside beaches, 165 islands, each of which can be explored.

Vaasa

The city of Vaasa is called the sunniest in Finland. It is not the most popular tourist destination compared to other cities. But students from all over the world come here to get education in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English. Just imagine this wild mix of students and the very noticeable impact of different cultures in a small town.

There are many national monuments in the center of Vaasa, this city suffered the most from the Russian invasion.

If you like active sports, then at your disposal are the opportunities to go mountaineering, kayaking, canoeing and just walking on the local lake.

Vaasa is located north of the capital. You can reach this town by train from Helsinki in 4 hours, so you'd better find yourself a place to sleep to explore the city in peace.

Porvoo

Porvoo is on south coast Finland east of Helsinki. Porvoo is over 600 years old and is the second oldest city in Finland. Porvoo is a classic old town, a walk along the streets of which has a pacifying effect on every guest. The best way get to know the city - on foot or by bike.

One of the symbols of Porvoo is the pretty red houses located on the coast. You can buy a boat ride and admire them from the water. The sight is worth it. There are many cafes and restaurants in Porvoo. You can easily get here by bus. The journey will take only an hour and a half, and you will find yourself in an absolutely different atmosphere of the city, especially against the backdrop of noisy Helsinki.

Turku

Turku is the former capital of Finland. It is located at the mouth of the Aura River on the southwest coast of Finland. It is the third largest city after Helsinki and Tampere. Turku has a very well developed urban transport network, with which you can easily get to any corner of the city.

The main attraction of the city is Turku Castle - one of the main attractions in Finland. There are a lot of restaurants on the Turku waterfront where you can eat delicious food overlooking the river. It is best to come here in the summer because of the pleasant weather and the many festivals that take place from June to September.

If you want to take also Sweden, then from Turku there are luxury cruises to Stockholm.

Pori

Pori is located on the west coast of Finland and is a major educational center in the country. In addition to science, Pori hosts many cultural events of interest to both local and foreign tourists. The most important of these is the annual Pori Jazz Festival.

Another attraction in Pori is Yyteri Beach - one of the beautiful beaches Finland with good infrastructure.

And in Pori, thousands of fans come to watch birds that migrate through the river delta.

Mariehamn, Aland Islands

Mariehamn is the capital of the Åland Islands, which are an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. This area is also known as the "Heart of the Baltic Sea". The Åland Islands were once the world's largest park sailing ships and was romantically called "the port of the last windmills". There are white sand beaches, rocky shores dotted with furry flocks of sheep, a sea wriggling among the many islands, ruins of old castles and green spruce groves everywhere.

Here you can go kayaking and hiking, like almost everywhere else in Finland. In Mariehamn, you will find several architectural wooden houses reminiscent of Finnish history. It has a very relaxed atmosphere and is the perfect place for a family vacation.

Interesting fact about Mariehamn: Despite the fact that it is officially part of Finland, 88% of the island's inhabitants speak Swedish. The population of the Åland Islands does not pay taxes, there is also a duty free zone.

Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a province in southeastern Finland surrounded by beautiful nature and lakes. It is notorious for its culture and environment, which makes Savonlinna extremely attractive to both local and foreign tourists. They come here to see old castles, including the famous Olavinlinna fortress or Olafsborg by Lake Saimaa.

In addition to the castles, Savonlinna is known for two national parks Kolovesi and Linnansaari.

Savonlinna is great for hiking, canoeing, diving, kayaking and cycling.

Rovaniemi, Lapland

Rovaniemi is the main city in Lapland, Finland's northernmost province. It is here that the residence of the world famous Santa Claus is located and the Santa Park is built. If you don't know where to go to Finland in winter with children, choose Rovaniemi. The choice is obvious, many people come to Lapland in winter, especially for the New Year and Christmas holidays. Here, half a year is a polar night, when the sun barely rises over the horizon, and half a polar day, when the nights are white, and the sun practically does not set below the horizon. People come to Lapland to see the northern lights. It shines almost 200 nights a year.

People come here for wildlife, to go skiing in numerous resorts, or sledding with reindeer or huskies, go hiking near the border with Sweden and get acquainted with ancient wooden churches.

If the romance of the north beckons you, Lapland is one of the best places in the world to get to know it in person.

Salla

Salla is a municipality in Lapland. Usually, locals come here on weekends to go skiing, snowboarding and various sledding, either with a husky or with deer. People come here both in winter and in summer. If you are thinking in winter, I advise you to take a steam bath and dive with the Finns into a cold lake (if, of course, your health permits).

Jyväskylä

Jyväsklälä is a university town in central Finland. Also known as Athens of Finland. This is the only place in the world where you will see many buildings created by the famous Finnish architect - Alvar Aalto.

Kemi

Kemi is another city in Lapland. It is home to one of the most popular tourist attractions - the Ice Castle, the world's largest snow structure, where you can even spend the night.

There is also the world's only Arctic icebreaker Sampo, which takes tourists on cruises.

The rest of the entertainment here is not particularly original, all the same hunting for the northern lights, skiing and sledding.

Kuhmo

Kuhmo is the perfect place to explore Finland's wildlife. This city became famous thanks to the annual Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, which lasts two weeks. Kuhmo also has a record number of lakes - as many as 600, which offer a wide variety of water activities for tourists. You can explore the city by swimming from one lake to another.

Kajaani

Kajaani is located in the very center of Finland. This place is popular with fishermen visiting Lake Oulu. In addition to fishing, there is a wonderful Kajaani Castle and peaceful safaris, during which you can watch bears. You will never forget such an adventure.

Oulu

Oulu is the oldest city in Finland, located in the northern part of the country and is very proud to be the best place to go to explore the Arctic. It is easily accessible from any part of the country, which is what all nature lovers who love hiking and hunting for the northern lights do.

In winter, Oulu is covered with a thick layer of snow, which creates excellent conditions for everyone. winter species sports.

Joensuu

Joensuu was founded by the Russian emperor Nicholas I, it is the capital of Karelia. The city is located in the southeast of Finland. It is best to come here in the summer. Thanks to its young citizens, Joensuu has acquired several interesting places, one of which is the Botanical Gardens of Botania, where you will find exotic plants and butterflies whose beauty is breathtaking.

Seurasaari

Seurasaari is located just west of Helsinki. It is a green and calm island in the Baltic Sea. Here is perhaps the most famous open-air museum in Europe. Wooden barns, carved mansions, rowing boats and country houses all show the traditional Finnish way of life. Apart from the museum, the island is also known for its secluded beaches (hello nudists).

You can stay overnight at.

Hameenlinna

People come to Hämeenlinna to see with their own eyes the old Swedish castle, built as early as 1200, to provide trade routes on the way back to the Gulf of Bothnia. Locals often have picnics here, and just relax in a beautiful place.

Levi

If you don't know where to go to Finland in winter, take a look at Levi - this is the northernmost and largest ski resort in Finland. There are as many as 43 slopes of varying difficulty, 230 km of cross-country skiing tracks and special tracks for skiers. There is even a dedicated snowboard park.

That's all. I have listed all interesting cities Finland worth visiting. For the best orientation, study what is at the beginning of the article. If you have anything to add, welcome to the comments)

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