Helsinki

HELSINKI. - Ancient Helsingfors, capital of the Republic of Finland, 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 of 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 wharves, ample warehouses and coal depots.

Founded in 1550 5 km. N. of its present position, near the mouth of the Vanda, owing to the fortunes of war, occupations, destructions, fires, it was several times relocated, until Tsar Alexander I had it rebuilt in its present location. Capital since 1817, it is built according to a regular plan, with wide streets, ample squares and gardens adorned with fine monuments; the public and private palaces, the churches, the seminaries, the libraries, the theatres are rich. 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 mean annual temperature is 4.4°; the warmest month is July with a mean of 16.5°; the coldest February, with -6.2°. Among the most humid zones, which are in the S. of the country, at H. 706 mm. of rain fall per year. Snow covers the soil of the capital ca. 120 days a year. Centre of export for timber and paper and of import for foodstuffs and raw materials. The industries of textile processing, porcelain manufacture, and tobacco manufacturing are developed. Seat of various shipping companies, the port of H. is a point of departure for European and transoceanic ports.