Finland was once characterized as a nation of melancholics. These days it's seen as one of the happiest countries in Europe. Here are just some of the reasons Finns have to be cheerful.
Summer in Finland —
Finland was once characterized as a nation of melancholics. These days it's seen as one of the happiest countries in Europe. Here are just some of the reasons Finns have to be cheerful.
Visit Finland
Finnish photographer Tea Karvinen took this image of the frozen Pyha Luosto National Park. She includes it in her list of the 10 most beautiful Finnish landscapes for the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.visitfinland.com%2Farticle%2Ffinlands-ten-most-beautiful-landscapes%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">VisitFinland.com website</a>. The photo, taken in December from the highest peak in the Pyha mountains, shows the last rays of light hitting Luosto Mountain as fog descends into the valley below.
Pyha Luosto National Park —
Finnish photographer Tea Karvinen took this image of the frozen Pyha Luosto National Park. She includes it in her list of the 10 most beautiful Finnish landscapes for the VisitFinland.com website. The photo, taken in December from the highest peak in the Pyha mountains, shows the last rays of light hitting Luosto Mountain as fog descends into the valley below.
Visit Finland/Tea Karvinen
Koli's tree-covered landscape makes it a popular hiking destination in the fall, when the leaves change colors. This view by Karvinen shows the vista from Makravaara peak, above Lake Pielisjarvi, in western Finland.
Plenty of room —
Koli's tree-covered landscape makes it a popular hiking destination in the fall, when the leaves change colors. This view by Karvinen shows the vista from Makravaara peak, above Lake Pielisjarvi, in western Finland.
Visit Finland/Tea Karvinen
Finland's southernmost inhabited island is only reachable by a five-hour ferry journey across the Baltic Sea. About 50 people live on the island year round, but the population triples with the summer arrival of tourists. This image was taken by Karvinen in January.
Uto Island —
Finland's southernmost inhabited island is only reachable by a five-hour ferry journey across the Baltic Sea. About 50 people live on the island year round, but the population triples with the summer arrival of tourists. This image was taken by Karvinen in January.
Visit Finland
Repovesi National Park is a popular escape from Helsinki, just a few hours away by car. Its forests are dotted with lakes, hills and cliffs. Karvinen took this photo from atop the near-perpendicular Olhava cliffs.
Great water —
Repovesi National Park is a popular escape from Helsinki, just a few hours away by car. Its forests are dotted with lakes, hills and cliffs. Karvinen took this photo from atop the near-perpendicular Olhava cliffs.
Visit Finland/Tea Karvinen
"It was still quiet at the top of the Yllas ski resort on a Sunday morning in the middle of February when this amazing view from the top of Yllas Mountain appeared," Tea Karvinen writes on VisitFinland.com. Located in Lapland, Pallas-Yllastunturi is Finland's third largest national park.
Pallas Yllastrunturi National Park —
"It was still quiet at the top of the Yllas ski resort on a Sunday morning in the middle of February when this amazing view from the top of Yllas Mountain appeared," Tea Karvinen writes on VisitFinland.com. Located in Lapland, Pallas-Yllastunturi is Finland's third largest national park.
Visit Finland/Tea Karvinen
In Kuusamo in central Finland, Oulanka National Park is known for dramatic rivers and waterfalls. Among them is the Myllykoski rapids, photographed here in January by Karvinen. It's another to make her top 10 Finnish landscapes list.
Oulanka National Park —
In Kuusamo in central Finland, Oulanka National Park is known for dramatic rivers and waterfalls. Among them is the Myllykoski rapids, photographed here in January by Karvinen. It's another to make her top 10 Finnish landscapes list.
Visit Finland/Tea Karvinen
The islands of the beautiful Aland archipelago, at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, belong to Finland, but are home to a Swedish-speaking population. It's said to be the sunniest place in northern Europe. Karvinen includes the islands in her top 10 beautiful landscapes lists.
Aland —
The islands of the beautiful Aland archipelago, at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, belong to Finland, but are home to a Swedish-speaking population. It's said to be the sunniest place in northern Europe. Karvinen includes the islands in her top 10 beautiful landscapes lists.
Visit Finland/Tea Karvinen
The trees of the Riisitunturi National Park make for dramatic scenery in winter when temperatures well below freezing leaves them coated in condensed frost. The area is popular with cross-country skiers, birdwatchers and photographers.
Great white way —
The trees of the Riisitunturi National Park make for dramatic scenery in winter when temperatures well below freezing leaves them coated in condensed frost. The area is popular with cross-country skiers, birdwatchers and photographers.
Visit Finland/Tea Karvinen
If appreciating the Finnish landscape isn't enough to lift spirits, there's always the national pastime of taking saunas. Sitting in a hot, steam-filled room and gently thrashing birch twigs against the skin is seen as a healthy way to relax and bond with others.
Warm welcome —
If appreciating the Finnish landscape isn't enough to lift spirits, there's always the national pastime of taking saunas. Sitting in a hot, steam-filled room and gently thrashing birch twigs against the skin is seen as a healthy way to relax and bond with others.
Visit Finland