FINMUN 2006: Destination info - Helsinki
Helsinki - General Information and History
Helsinki is the capital of the Republic of Finland. Founded in 1550 by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa in order to counter the influence of the Hanseatic trade town Tallinn, from across the Finnish Gulf. The city did not start to significantly develop though until 1809, when sovereignty over Finland switched from Sweden to Russia and Czar Alexander I declared Helsinki the new capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1812. The city grew by leaps and bounds throughout the 19th century as a stylish capital designed to resemble St. Petersburg. Growth continued throughout the tumultuous history of Finland during the 20th century, making the Helsinki Metropolitan Area one of Europe?s fastest growing urban areas during the 1990s. Today, Helsinki-proper is home to some 560,000 people, though the population of the Greater Helsinki lies at almost 1,250,000.
Geography and Culture
The historical nervous center of Helsinki is located around the Senate Square, featuring the city?s most important landmark ? Lutheran Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko). Running parallel to the south of the Square are two of Helsinki?s most important arteries: Aleksanderinkatu and Esplanadi ? both of them featuring up-market stores and restaurants. At the eastern end of the Esplanade Park lies the Market Square, sporting the fountain statue of Havis Amanda, the focus of the student festivities of May 1. The Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral towers just beyond it, past the City Hall and the President?s Palace, and the pier for visiting the island fortress of Suomenlinna is also located there.
At the western end of Esplanadi lies Finland?s oldest and most traditional department store, Stockmann. Just behind Stockmann lies Erottaja, full of posh bars, whereas Mannerheimintie, Helsinki?s main thoroughfare, stretches north from it, with the Central Railway Station, the Parliament, the Finlandia House, the Opera and Olympic Stadium strung up in order along it.
Helsinki enjoys a vibrant nightlife. Many of the bars and clubs are located around or close to the Central Railway station, although there is healthy smattering of establishments located along Mannerheimintie, around Iso Roobertinkatu to the southwest of Stockmann, in the Kamppi area one metro stop to the east of the Railway Station, or the Kallio-S?rn?inen area two stops to the west for those not afraid of going slumming for one night. Two streets running south parallel to each other from Kamppi, Frederikinkatu and Annankatu, are home to some of the city?s most popular and affordable restaurants.
Sights worth viewing in Helsinki include Temppeliaukio, also known as the Church in the Rock, which is carved entirely into a granite rock side. The Ateneum Art Museum, the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art and the National Museum ? all located across the street to the south, west and northwest from the Railway Station ? are worth a peek. Finland is a world superpower in terms of classical music, so a visit to the Opera might be worth considering.
For more information visit:
The official website of the City of Helsinki http://www.hel.fi/wps/portal/Helsinki_en/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/en/Helsinki/
