Vaasa

Vaasa is located on the west coast of Finland and belongs to the Western region of Finland, 419 kilometers to Helsinki.
Population: 58 000 inhabitants, 71 % is Finnish speaking, and 25 % Swedish speaking.
Area: 397.45 km², 205.79 - water.

The city was founded in 1606 by King Charles IX, which had been named Mustasaari ("Black Island"). The name was changed to Vaasa in 1611. Vaasa was an important city in tar trading, before it received the right to trade abroad in 1765. The first library in Finland was built in Vaasa in 1974. The church in Vaasa was built in the14th century and was expanded in the end of 17th century.

There was a big fire in 1852, only a few buildings were destroyed in the centre of city. After the fire, the city was displaced near the sea. The city was known as Nikolaistad between 1855 and 1917.

Sights:

1.    Korsholma Fortress (14th century)
2.    Mustasaari Church
3.    St Nikolai Church
4.    Shopping Centre
5.    Water Tower (1915)
6.    Ruins of Old Vaasa
7.    Ski Centre "Öjberget"
8.    Entertainment park "Vaasalandia"
9.    Various nice islands