Helsinki

Helsinki is a city of roughly 500,000 population in southern Finland. It is Finland's capital and largest city, and forms the hub (with the surrounding cities of Espoo, Kauniainen, and Vantaa) of Finland's metropolitan center. Helsinki was founded in 1550 by King Gustav Vasa.

Helsinki is less densely populated than most major European cities, and is nearly unique in that it has spread outward rather than upward: Like cities in the western United States, surrounding land was plentifully available at the time Helsinki was urbanized, and sound urban planning has allowed the city to develop into a low metropolis of neighborhood districts, houses, and scattered wooded areas. Away from the city's older areas, the architectural style leans heavily toward 1970s-modern, due to the large amount of construction during that period.

Helsinki benefits from a maritime climate, which gives it a warm (but short) summer, while its high latitude makes the summer days extremely long. Unfortunately for some activities, the reverse is also true, with the sun barely rising during the long winters. Consummately, Helsinki natives seem to spend most of their warm-weather time outdoors, while navigating the cold-weather months from nightclubs and bars. Like the popular winter sport of skiing, Helsinki's nightlife has beginner and expert slopes, and keeping up with the locals can be hazardous to those who overestimate their skills. The city's attractions include the National Museum of Finland and the Finnish National Gallery, as well as the country's National Opera and National Theatre.