NE Nike Retail Manual | Page 188

HELSINKI HELSINKI There are several Swimming Halls across the city, but the most notable are the ones using the ozone purification method. Namely Itäkeskus, Kallio, Malmi, Mäkelänrinteen Uintikeskus, Ruoholahti, Vuosaari and Yrjönkatu. The neoclassical buildings in the city, including the Senate Square, the Government Palace, and the Cathedral were designed by Carl Ludvig Engel during the 18th century. FACTS 70% of the foreign companies operating in Finland have their headquarters in Helsinki, giving thecity a strong political, educational, financial, and cultural point of view. The most noticeable design influence in Helsinki is Art Nouveau, which is inspired by Kalevala (1900s). Because many buildings in Helsinki resemble St Petersburg, a number of Hollywood films have been shot here: The Kremlin Letter, Reds, and Gorky Park. The Sibelius monument was designed by Eila Hiltunen in 1967. It was dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and is made up of 600 steel pipes, plastered together in the shape of wave. 330 Suomenlinna is an old sea-fortress located just outside of Helsinki and easily accessible with boats from the city. Especially in the summer many people go there to tan, swim, jog or to have a picnic on the cliffs by the sea. Helsinki is surrounded by Stockholm (Sweden) in the east, St Petersburg (Russia) in the west, Tampere, the Manchester of Finland in the north, and the Gulf of Finland in the south. The city is bilingual. 86% of people speak Finnish and 6% speak Swedish, but many of them can understand and speak English as well. The Seurasaari Open Air Museum, situated on Seurasaari Island in the northern center of the city, has an impressive collection of old Finnish houses. Finland’s biggest zoo is located on Korkeasaari, an island in Helsinki. The zoo has 200 different species of animals. FACTS Helsinki is the only city in Finland to have trams or subway trains. Pihlajasaari, with its stretch of sandy beaches, is a very popular summer spot for tourists. 331