Water tourism in Finland. Lakes of Finland
There are more than 60 thousand lakes in Finland, each of them is beautiful in its own way, with a bizarre configuration of bays and coasts, with large and tiny islands covered with dense forest. And although the country of Suomi is translated as "a country of swamps", here more lakes and rivers. The best in its qualities in the world, it is the water and dense forests that distinguish feature Finland.
A beautiful Finnish legend tells about Vainemeinen, who, in a fierce battle with a polar monster, took away the stolen happiness of the Finnish people from him. When the legendary hero of many epics returned home, he was again attacked by evil monster warriors. In the heat of battle, he dropped precious happiness, it fell to the earth's surface and shattered into thousands of priceless fragments.
Thus, in epic forms, the Finns explain an essential detail of the country's landscape - the presence of countless lakes in the territory. The Land of a Thousand Lakes, as it is often called, is actually among the world record holders for the number of reservoirs, there are tens of thousands of them. Most of them are located in the center of the country on the lake plateau. Lakes in the country are mostly of the flowing type, interconnected by branches and channels of rivers.
The lakes of Finland form entire lake systems. They appeared in hollows on the surface, plowed by an ancient glacier when the watercourse was dammed by moraine ridges, in relief depressions or filling old river valleys. Real, extraordinary beautiful Finland can be seen and remembered forever only in exciting journey across the country's lakes.
The richest and most diverse fauna of local lakes makes Finland one of the the best places for year-round fishing, here it is always successful. To organize independent fishing in the waters of Finland, you need to pay the corresponding fee. state duty.
The Päijänne water tunnel was built in the south of Finland in the second half of the 20th century due to the growing need of the capital region for clean fresh water. drinking water. At that time, the municipal authorities of the capital started the reconstruction of the regional water supply system. It was supposed to significantly increase the volume of water supplied to the needs of the population, to significantly improve its quality. More than ...
Lake Inari is not at all like the lakes of southern Finland because it is located north of the Arctic Circle in central Lapland. The edge is harsh North wind blows through the flat territory, foamy storm waves often rise on the reservoir. Rare daredevils who went fishing to this reservoir have to wait a long time for the weather to improve, so the preparation of such a trip requires care. Third largest...
The largest lake (or the whole lake system) Saimaa is located in southeastern Finland between the cities of Joensuu and Lappeenranta. It is a network of numerous interconnected reservoirs with with total area water mirror 4400 km². The coastline of the reservoir stretches for 15 thousand kilometers. Winding rocky islands, which on Saimaa 13710 form whole water and rock labyrinths. The only river flowing...
Natural national park Päijänne is known far beyond the borders of Finland for being located on numerous rocky islands and south coast the second largest lake of the same name in the country. There are about fifty islands in the park, some of them are inhabited, others have no settlements. And the islands of Kelvenne and Pulkkilanharju are oblong in shape and are lacustrine-glacial ridges. The park is located...
In southern Finland is unique lake Päijanne, the second largest among the country's lakes, is the deepest and most full-flowing. The length of its elongated shape is 120 km. from north to south from the city of Jyväskylä to the city of Lahti, width up to 30 km. from west to east, the depth of the lake basin reaches 95.3 meters. The purest and transparent, heavenly blue waters of the lake flow into The Gulf of Finland the Kemijoki River. The whole waterway...
The largest number of lakes - over 8,000 - is located in the commune of Inari, in Lapland. The northern communes of Ennotekiyo (3,000) and Kuusamo (2,000) are also in second and third place. Only in six communes of the country the lakes are completely absent. These are Aura (Western Finland), Yupäya in the province of Häme, Kerava in the metropolitan area, Marttila (near Turku), and also the capital Åland Islands Mariehamn and Sottunga (Aland).
Detailed information about Finnish water bodies with an area of one hectare is collected and systematized on the website www.jarviwiki.fi (in Finnish, Swedish and English). Here you can find many useful information about the size, depth, condition of lakes and seasonal changes(eg water temperature or ice thickness), their flora and fauna. The site is maintained by the Center environment Finland, but citizens can add their own observations and photos.
The lakes on the site are systematized, including by their names. It is curious that in Finland there are not only thousands of lakes, but also thousands of their names, more specifically, almost 20,000. The most common name is Mustalampi, translated into Russian as Black Pond. This is not big lake there is almost every commune, in some - more than one: in Finland there are 391 Black Pond, and communes - 317. This name is especially popular in eastern regions Finland.
Among other names of small lakes ending in the word lampi (“pond”), Ahvenlampi or Perch pond (335 lakes) and Haukilampi or Pike pond (265 lakes) are in the lead. The most popular names ending in the word jarvi ("lake"): Saarijarvi or Island (198), Sarkijarvi or Plotvich (176) and Pitkajarvi or Long (172).
Most of the names have long roots. “Lakes and ponds played such an important role in everyday life that they were given names in the first place, and these names were rarely changed,” says Helina Uusitalo, specialist at the Language Center of Finland.
Many lakes were named based on their shape. For example, the 7 Finnish Trouser Lakes (Housujarvi) are reminiscent of exactly this wardrobe item. The names in which foodstuffs are found often indicate the state of the water. So, lakes with the names "dough" (taikina) or "porridge-mud" (velli) usually have a silted bottom, and the water in them is unclear.
Finland is called the Lake District for a reason. This northern country 10% is covered by lakes, and another 30% by swamps. At the same time, all this aquatic diversity gives residents and tourists incredible beauty. Every bend of the shore, every cove and cape of the lake prepares miracles.
1. Lake Bodom
Like most Finnish lakes, Lake Bodom is small - with a length of 3 km, it is only 1 km wide. Depths change very smoothly, gradually increasing to 13 meters. Such beauty has become popular place recreation for families with children. Naturally, the shores of the lake are covered with a developed network of cafes, beaches, tourist campsites and rentals.
The lake has its own dark history. There are only three unsolved crimes in Finland, one of which happened on Bodom. During a vacation in 1960, out of four teenagers, three were brutally murdered. The surviving fourth was initially charged with the murder, but was later acquitted.
2. Lake Saimaa
The largest lake in the country lies in the southeast of Finland. The area of the Saimaa system is 4370 sq. km, near the lake is more than 15 thousand kilometers coastline and more than 13 thousand islets. During the melting of glaciers, its waters were disturbed by the post-glacial upland from the north and the Salpausselkä moraine from the south. So the water remained here five thousand years ago. And now the wonders of nature allow you to appreciate even one-day tours to Finland.
3. Lake Päijänne
The deepest Finnish lake is Päijänne, located near Helsinki. Glacial-tectonic processes gave the lake a depth of 95 m. Päijänne is the main source of water for Helsinki, and not just water, but the best, the cleanest in the world. Water is supplied to the city through an underground canal, there is also a navigable canal built 20 years ago. The shores of the lake are also indented, the surroundings are rich in ups and downs. Therefore, the lake remains attractive at any time of the year - in summer for cyclists, in winter for skiers.
4. Lake Inari
Another large lake is located in the north of the country. Inari is slightly less deep than Päijanne (90 m), but it has a length of 80 km and an area of more than a thousand kilometers. The lake also gave birth to a melting glacier about 10,000 years ago. Inari real paradise for anglers. Along its swampy shores, you can even hunt sturgeon while the family admires the polar sun and untouched nature.
5. Lake Vesijärvi
lovers active rest It is worth paying attention to Lake Vesijärvi. It is located in the south of the country in the province of Payat-Häme. Here at 20 kilometer lake with many bays, you can find eels, perch, pike, bream and other fish in huge quantities. And in winter, races are held on the lake dog sledding, build ice palaces etc. and guests are always welcome.
And a little more about fishing:
Lakes of Finland: holidays on the most popular lakes in the country, as well as fishing in Finland.
There are people who cannot imagine rest without nature. For them, Finland is the right place. There is something to see and do here at any time of the year: colorful New Year And northern lights, ski resorts and cozy wooden houses, fishing and rafting, hiking and kayaking down rivers.
Finland is famous for its lakes, not for nothing that it is called the “land of a thousand lakes”. In fact, there are much more of them here: approximately 190 thousand, which together form a huge lake system, connecting with numerous rivers, straits, bays and seas. The main part of the reservoirs does not reach a depth of 20 meters, however, in the center of the country there is the Lake Plateau, within which there is really large lakes. The real Finland can only be seen on a trip to the lakes.
Fishing in Finland
Finland is deservedly called a paradise for fishermen, the fauna of local reservoirs is so diverse and rich. Where else can you fish for pike, perch, burbot, bream, pike perch, carp, salmon, trout, smelt and many other species of fish in one place?
A real angler - professional or amateur - will not miss the opportunity to fish on the famous Finnish lakes. It won't require high costs and you will enjoy immensely.
In principle, in order to fish on the lakes and rivers of Finland, you only need to come there, all the conditions have already been created for you. Equipment and equipment will be issued on the spot; if necessary, they will help, they will show and tell everything - for this there are even special fishing guides who will reveal to you the little secrets of local fishing.
For fishing, you must pay a state fee, which will be valid until the end of the year, regardless of the date, or for a period of a week. Also, for catching fish with bait, you need to obtain a territorial license, which is valid until the end of the year for 7 days, like a fee. You can pay and get a license right at the hotel - in cash or through an ATM. You can fish without a license in state (public) waters with an ordinary float rod (without a reel, spinner, fly and other devices) - in summer; sheer luster and mormyshka - in winter.
Fishing in Finland is, as they say, for every taste and color. If you want - take an ordinary fishing rod, if you want - spinning; You can fish from the shore or take a boat - rowing or motor. As a rule, lakes are also chosen depending on preferences: what kind of fish is found, what kind of nature and climate. By the way, fishing for artificially grown fish is also popular in Finland, thanks to which the general population in reservoirs is maintained.
You will get the maximum impressions in fishing tours, which abound in Finland. Professionals will train you various types and fishing methods, organize picnics and speedboat cruises around the islands and, of course, provide everything necessary equipment and clothes. For those who do not like to watch the float for hours, there are other activities: romantic walks on the lakes in a canoe or steamboat, kayaking, hiking in local forests and meadows, golf, equestrian and bicycle rides and much more.
But even if you are not a fan of fishing, in Finland you will definitely want to try it, and you will undoubtedly enjoy this activity. Fishing is not only an ancient way to get your livelihood, but also an opportunity to relax, get rid of everyday stress and irritation and just be alone with nature and your thoughts. Seasoned fishermen claim that this is a state close to meditation.
Of course, the numerous lakes have always been a help to the Finns: they feed and water them, and help in agriculture, and transport goods. And they also attract masses of tourists: fishermen, kayakers and just lovers of healthy outdoor recreation. In Finland, a boost of energy, fresh strength and a lot of vivid impressions are guaranteed to you.
