Helsinki is the capital of Finland situated on the coast of the northern Baltic Sea. Helsinki was founded in 1550 when Finland was a part of the Kingdom of Sweden and became a capital soon after Finland was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1809. Finland achieved independence in 1917. Helsinki has nearly 600 000 inhabitants and the broader metropolitan region 1.37 million inhabitants (2012).

Fifty mammal species, including the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans), 164 birds and 1064 vascular plant species have been found in the Helsinki region. The animal symbol of the City of Helsinki is the Eurasian red squirrel.

• Facts about Helsinki (2013)
• Tourist information
• Weather of Helsinki area

• Average weather in Helsinki