Finland is a country of thousands of lakes

If you travel to Finland in the summer, you can note for yourself the two dominant hues of the local landscape - green and blue. Forest landscapes are simply dotted with water spots. In some areas there are so many that you can often hear how this state is called "the land" or "the country of a thousand lakes". In fact, it is still mildly said, in total in Finland there are about 188 000 water bodies.

Trip to Finland

Not in vain the Finns feel a certain closeness to the elements of water, pure blue oases are really a source of means for existence. Lake Inari is known for its depth and crystal clear water, and in eastern Finland there is a large body of water called Saima. It is home to the seal, one of the rare and endangered species in the world. This kind of seal is found only here. Thanks to conservation measures, their numbers have recently increased to about 300 individuals, but they are still in serious danger.

A large number of water activities

"Country of a thousand lakes" differs from other European countries in that most of it is covered with water. Many reservoirs are quite impressive in size. For lovers of recreation by the water, a trip to Finland will seem like a real entertainment attraction, which will be remembered for a long time.

Pastime on the shore of the lake is an integral part of the Finnish summer, as most summer activities revolve around the water, it can be swimming and bathing, fishing and canoeing, rowing and sailing, underwater hunting and so on.

Inseparable connection with nature

Lakes are part of the Finnish national identity, which is closely related to wildlife. Wherever the journey starts, the vast landscapes will be vast green forests and shimmering blue lakes. Finland is a country of thousands of lakes and boundless woodlands and the most beautiful islands of the Baltic Sea. Open to all winds of the Arctic, it provides habitat for thousands of wild animals and birds. Some representatives can be seen on a specially organized tour.

For the most part, the wild nature of Finland remains untouched and untouched. The king of the Finnish forest by right can be called a brown bear. An extensive area is home to about 1,500 toed individuals. Although on land they can wander anywhere, usually bears try to avoid people.

The country of a thousand lakes

Now Finland is a favorite place for nature lovers and outdoor sports all over the world. Approximately 8,000 km ^{2 of the} entire territory are 37 protected national parks, which are a real paradise for ornithologists and those who would like to see moose, deer, bear or wolf in their natural habitat. The breathtaking beauty of the archipelagos in the south and the mystical shimmering of the Northern Lights that illuminate the sky in northern Finland can truly enchant and comfort the soul.

According to the latest estimates, there are 187,888 lakes in the country. With a population of about five million people, Finland has one lake for every 26 people. Most of the lakes are in the region that extends from the Kuopio area in the north to Lahti in the south, and from Tampere in the west to Punkaharju and the Russian border to the east.

An interesting feature of local landscapes is that almost everywhere where there are lakes, there are forests. The most common are pine, spruce and birch. Finland, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, contains 10 times more forest per person than any other European state. Forests are a very important resource, it is a material for the construction of traditional Finnish houses, cottages, saunas, boats, as well as an integral part of Finnish crafts, without which one can not imagine the ordinary Finnish way of life.

The consequences of the melting of ancient glaciers

Extremely large volumes of water are due to geological features of the area, which existed thousands of years before the state was created. Despite the fact that a significant part of the country is located beyond the Arctic Circle, Finland does not have glaciers per se, although there are many traces of the effects of the ancient glaciation.

Approximately 10,000 years ago, the glaciers here began to melt and leave physical traces of their presence in the form of mountains, valleys, basins and numerous mineral deposits. Glaciers have the ability to radically change the surrounding landscape during their formation, movement, growth, and also melting. They helped create one of the most unusual landscapes in the world, which continue to be stunning with their beauty, while the glaciers themselves have long been forgotten. All these processes played a key role in the creation of lakes that exist today in Finland - a state that has rightfully earned its proud nickname "the country of a thousand lakes".

Finland is a wonderland of nature, where there are more trees than people. This is a unique site for skiers, fishermen, lovers of water sports and hiking. What is special about Finland? Rest on the lakes created by ancient glaciers, stunning beauty of natural landscapes, lots of water activities and much, much more. Many lakes are difficult to access, as they are far from major urban centers and, therefore, are not considered suitable excursions for recreation.