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DestinationsOther |
Helsinki FinlandINTRODUCTION Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is located in the southern part of Finland on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, by the Baltic Sea. Its urban region includes neighboring cities such as Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, which combine to form the Capital Region. Helsinki is also Finland's cultural capital filled with impressive architecture, museums, galleries, and performance venues. The cities position near the sea has given it access to beaches and ferries that take you to near-by islands and neighboring countries. HISTORY The city was founded in 1550, by the Swedes in the hopes of competing with the important port city of Tallinn located 80km away across the Gulf of Finland. The city, however, in its early years was plagued with war, poverty, and disease. The positive changes began when Russia defeated Sweden and annexed Finland for itself, and changed the capital of Finland from Turku to Helsinki. The early part of the 20th century was spent in wars with the USSR before finally settling into a peaceful urbanization in the latter part of the century. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO A night out is known to be expensive in Helsinki due to high food and alcohol prices. Most locals drink at home before going out to clubs in order to cut down on bar tabs. ATTRACTIONS Lutheran Cathedral? LODGING PERSONAL STORIES 
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