HELSINKI. – Formerly Helsingfors, capital of the Republic of Finland, it is the most populous city in the State (270,000 inhabitants), of whom 64.5% are Finns and 33.5% Swedes. Owing to its position, it is the foremost port and also the principal outlet for the interior; situated on a
peninsula on the Gulf of Finland, it is surrounded by numerous islands, which have made possible the construction of ports with convenient quays, spacious warehouses, and coal depots.
Founded in 1550, 5 km. to the N. of its present location, near the mouth of the Vanda, it was repeatedly moved as a result of wars, occupations, destruction, and fires, until Tsar Alexander I had it rebuilt in its present location. Capital since 1817, it was constructed according to a regular plan,
with broad streets, spacious squares, and gardens adorned with fine monuments; its public and private buildings, churches, seminaries, libraries, and theatres are imposing. The University of H., founded in 1640 in Turku, was transferred to the capital in 1827. The new Parliament of H. is the most modern in Europe. The average annual temperature is 4°.4; the warmest month is July, with an average of 16°.5; the coldest is February, with –6°.2. Among the more humid areas, which lie in the S. of the country, H. receives 706 mm. of rain annually. Snow covers the ground
of the capital for approximately 120 days a year. It is a centre for the export of timber and paper and for the import of foodstuffs and raw materials. The textile-processing, porcelain-manufacturing, and tobacco industries are well developed. The seat of various shipping companies, the port of H. is a point of departure for European and transoceanic ports.