Helsinki was founded in 1550 by the Swedish King Gustav Vasa to compete with the Hansa port of Tallinn across the Gulf of Finland. It didn't become Finland's capital until 1812, when Tsar Alexander I decided to move the capital of Finland from Turku to Helsinki. At this point, Finland was no longer a part of Sweden, but was a Grand Duchy under Russian imperial rule. Finland became independent in 1917.

Helsinki is located on the southern shore of Finland, and the center of the city is surrounded by neighborhoods and suburban ... (more)