Metropolitan area of 1.2 million inhabitants
The cities in the metropolitan area - Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen - form an area with over one million inhabitants.
The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland, the Parliament, the Government and various ministries are all located in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
In addition to public administration, the metropolitan area is also the indisputable centre of trade, culture and science.
The head offices of the most prominent Finnish enterprises, the most famous museums and eight of the twenty universities in Finland are located in the metropolitan area.
The most well-known sights are also to be found in the region. In fact, the majority of domestic and foreign tourism is concentrated in the metropolitan area.
Approximately one-quarter of Finns live in the metropolitan area as well as the majority of non-nationals living in Finland. Jobs are also concentrated in the region.
The cities in the metropolitan area co-operate closely on, for example, services, traffic solutions and housing policy.
Text: Minna Rauhansalo
Photo: City of Helsinki
