By the Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea region includes Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, and Russia.
The region exceeds European standards in many indicators and seeks to be a role model for Europe in achieving sustainable growth based on equality, innovation, mobility and integration. The principle metropolises are cooperating in many spheres of society, tied together by the sea that connects them.
The Baltic Sea region covers 2.4 million km2 - almost half of the EU. The historical heritage and the varied culture of the countries in the region create opportunities that give its citizens an excellent base for a good and fulfilling life. Winter or summer, the Baltic Sea region has a unique natural beauty, with almost half of the land area forested.
Helsinki is at the heart of the Baltic Sea Region. Business is growing, as is the movement of people, particularly with the expansion of the Schengen visa regime to include this region, with the exception of Russia. In practice, this means no visa is required for travel. It also means a lot more travellers.