RECREATION IN FINLAND The Finnish

RECREATION IN FINLAND

• The Finnish countryside offers nature-lovers many different kinds of experiences. The nature-lovers can enjoy the scenery by land or by water at any time of the year. Thanks to free public access, the hikers can roam the great outdoors nearly everywhere in Finland. National park, national hiking areas and other protected areas managed by Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services provide the visitors with unforgettable moments, best sceneries and hiking facilities for nature walks, hikes and boat trips. Local nature tourism firms offer services for the visitors in many of the areas.

• Traditional free rights of access to Finland’s extensive natural areas means that there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy recreational activities in natural surroundings all around the country.

• The Finnish landscape is covered with thick pine forests, rolling hills and complemented with a labyrinth of lakes and inlets. Much of Finland is pristine and virgin as it contains 37 national parks from the Southern shores of the Gulf of Finland to the high fells of Lapland. It is also an urbanised region with many cultural events and activities.

• Above the Arctic Circle, in midwinter, there is a polar night, a period when the sun does not rise for days or weeks, or even months, and correspondingly, midnight sun in the summer, with no sunset even at midnight. Lapland is so far north that the Aurora Borealis, fluorescence in the high atmosphere due to solar wind, is seen regularly in the fall,

• Outdoor activities range from Nordic skiing, golf, fishing, yachting, lake cruises, hiking, kayaking among many others. At Finland's northernmost point, in the heart of summer, the Sun does not completely set for 73 consecutive days. Wildlife is abundant in Finland. Bird-watching is popular for those fond of avifauna, however hunting is also popular. Elk and hare common game in Finland.

THE MAIN RECREATIONAL REGIONS IN FINLAND

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN DIFFERENT REGIONS • Urban Finland: • Western Finland Swimming in natural waters, spending time at summer cottage Bicycling, downhill skiing • Lake Finland Fishing with nets, crosscountry skiing, picking mushrooms • Wilderness Finland Hunting, picking wild berries, snowmobiling

In Finland, a series of tuberculosis sanatoria were built throughout the country in isolated forest areas. The most famous was the Paimio Sanatorium, built in 1930 and designed by world-renowned architect Alvar Aalto. The building served exclusively as a tuberculosis sanatorium until the early 1960 s, when it was converted into a general hospital. Today the building is part of the Turku University Hospital. The

• Herttua Health Spa & Rehabilition Center; Kerimäki, Finland • Kankaanpää Rehabilitation Centre Kankaanpää, Finland • Kunnonpaikka; Finland Vuorela, • Norrvalla Rehab Center; Vörå, Finland • Rantasipi Tropiclandia Spa Hotel; Vaasa, Finland

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