Imatra

Imatra is on east border with Russia, in Southern Finland.
Population: 30 000
Total surface area: 191.25 km² (Land area 154.96, water area 36.29).

Imatra has the biggest rapids in Europe, Imatrankoski, which is formed on lake Vuoksi,
that runs through the city, the rapids dating back to 4 000–5 000 years ago.

There are numerous restaurants, bars, offices and shopping centers in the centre of the modern city, Imatra.

There are also cultural centers, sport centers and various tourist centres.

The largest lake in Finland, Saimaa, is not far from the city centre.
There is a famous aqua park on the shore of the lake (Imatran Kylpylä).
5 km away from the centre of Imatra there is a Russian town, so there are many tourists in Imatra.
Imatra was the first tourist city in Finland, due to Vuoksi´s great rapids.

Imatra was founded in 1948, but it gained its municipal charter in 1971.

From 1964-82 there were famous motorcycle racing seasons in Imatra.
More than 50 000 people visit the Big Band Festival which is every year in the summer time.
The life of the city is eventful e.g. "Rock to the River ", summer parties.

There are a variety of museums in Imatra:
  1. Karelia Home Museum
  2. Veteran´s Museum
  3. Art Museum
  4. Border museum
  5. Industrial Worker´s Housing Museum

The Cultural Centre was founded in 1986, which includes modern the Art Museum, the Town Museum of Cultural History and the services of the Main Library.
There is a big choice of sports in the city: swimming pool/sports, premises for indoor sports, where there are various sports, bowling and golf, ice rink, football field, skiing tracks and many others.
There are many beaches on the shore of the river Vuoksi, which have services for active summer vacation, like parachuting, the river offers excellent opportunities for fishing in the river and in the big lake of Finland as well.