Location, location, location
Someone once said that all we have in Finland are trees and brains.
Helsinki has plenty of trees and plenty of brains, but most important is where they are located. Helsinki is right in the middle of the Baltic Sea region, surrounded by fast growing markets, with fast access to the EU and easy air access beyond Europe far to the East and West.
When we say Helsinki, we mean the broad geographical area you can see on the aerial map. Greater Helsinki consists of the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kaunianen as well as surrounding municipalities represented by the Uusimaa Regional Council. In addition to urban areas, Greater Helsinki still has many small towns, villages, sparsely settled rural areas, national parks and lots of islands.
Green year every year in Helsinki
There are some 100 parks in Helsinki alone. The best known parks are Esplanadinpuisto and Kaivopuisto, located in downtown Helsinki. The oldest parks in Greater Helsinki are from the 1800’s, with new ones being constantly built.
The affinity that Finnish people have with parks can be explained by the fact that 75% of Finland is covered with forests. Finns spend time in parks to relax, recharge and exercise year round.
Helsinki celebrated the 4th Green Year in 2008. The Green Year is an initiative of the Finnish Association of Landscape Industries to increase the awareness of the positive assets of a green environment in city landscapes.
The objectives of Greater Helsinki’s Green Year are to promote recreational and yard areas for all, make environmental consideration a part of every day life, and to make people have better health through exercise.