Helsinki: With islands, parks, and lakes, this compact city with water on three sides reflects the Finnish love of nature. In the heart of the city, the tree-lined green strip of Esplanadi is a favourite summertime promenade. Helsinki's Senate Square nearby is known for its splendid 19th-century buildings designed by the Prussian architect Carl Engel. Helsinki's 20th-century monuments and museums-including Saarinen's monumental railway station and Alvar Aalto's stunning Finlandia Hall-reflect Finland's new-found nationhood. The city is also known as Helsingfors in Swedish.
When the roller-coasters, roundabouts, rifle-ranges, and other fairground attractions of the Linnanmäki amusement park open, it signals the end of the long Finnish winter and a chance for Helsinki residents to begin enjoying the long, light summer nights. Full of entertainments to please young and old, the complex also boasts cafés, restaurants, a disco, and a theatre.
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