Lahti and Finland
Finland: Small Nation - Big Achievements
The Finns have many things to be proud of; international high-tech companies, design know-how and sports are only the tip of the iceberg. Finland lives by adapting to its environment, receiving its strength from nature, and life energy from its clean waters and pure air. This small nation’s big achievements relate to arts, science and active international interaction.
Although the 200,000 lakes and the 180,000 islands often keep the Finns physically separated from each other in the summer time, they still communicate intensively; the country’s per capita ratio of mobile phones is among the highest in the world. Educational level is also very high; Finns are one of the most educated nationalities in the world, and the trend is set to continue. Literacy level is practically 100 %. Of young people between 25 – 34 years of age, currently 83 % have a degree at the upper secondary or higher level. The Ministry of Education plans to provide openings in higher education to 60 – 65 % of the age group in the near future. According to Statistics Finland, more than half of today's young adults (20-year-olds) will obtain a higher-level degree or qualification at some stage in their lives.
Finland is a Nordic country situated between the 60th and 70th degrees of latitude. By area, Finland is the 7th largest country in Europe and has been an independent republic since December 6, 1917. The population is 5,171,000 and 65 % of Finns live in towns or urban areas.
Lahti Region - Full of Life
Lahti is a vigorous, growing city in Southern Finland, situated in the heart of the municipalities that form the Lahti Region. From Helsinki, the capital of Finland, and the country’s main international airport, it only takes about an hour by car to Lahti. It is also very convenient to travel to Lahti by bus or train. Public transport connections in all directions are excellent. The city’s internal bus services are also well organised. The Lahti Region has about 200,000 inhabitants, of whom 95,000 live in Lahti and 15,000 in Heinola.
Lahti Historical Museum gives an interesting view of the history of the Lahti Region. The museum has a wonderful collection of more than 40,000 exhibits. The Art Museum’s International Poster Biennial presents a fine collection of masterpieces in poster art. At the Radio and TV Museum you can take a trip back in time by listening to historical, crackly radio broadcasts. The development of broadcasting technology is also there for you to discover. The good old days are also back at the Ski Museum. Test a pair of traditional wooden skis! You can try out the ski jump simulator and who knows, you may even break the current official ski jumping record.
The passenger harbour is like a second living room for the people in Lahti. The lakeshore boulevard is a place to meet with friends, enjoy life at the boat restaurants, shop at local artisans, or take a cruise on the lake. The city’s architecture has jewels like the Church of the Cross in the centre of the city. It was designed by Alvar Aalto. The city hall is a beautiful example of the Art Nouveau style by Eliel Saarinen. The grandeur of the award winning Sibelius Hall matches its location. The hall was completed in 2000 and welcomes listeners to classical, rock, and pop music concerts alike. It is also the home of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, recognised as one of the world’s best symphony orchestras. The many museums and good restaurants in Lahti also enliven the city life. The Lahti Exhibition Centre organises national and international fairs and exhibitions in many fields every year.
The current and evolving international companies in Lahti contribute to the city’s growth. Lahti is a rapidly developing centre of technology, a city of innovative companies, progressive projects, fairs, congresses, and science. The latest knowledge is distributed at the city’s honoured institution of higher education, Lahti University of Applied Sciences.
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