Incomprehensible, mysterious geographical names, scattered with grains of sand on the map of Finland, have their own meaning and their own history, learning which you can get a clue or a clue to these names.

Names of many settlements Finland - cities and towns, urban areas - are very often associated with nature, with some of its manifestations or landscape features. For example, the name of the city Joensuu ( Joensuu) means the mouth of the river, Valkeakoski ( Valkeakoski)– white rapids, Kalajoki ( Kalajoki) – river rich in fish. The name of the district of Hakaniemi in Helsinki ( Hakaniemi) means clearing, the name of the Kuusisaari metropolitan area ( Kuusisaari) – spruce island, Kivenlahti region ( Kivenlahti) – stone bay, Leppävaara ( Leppä vaara) - alder hill.

“For the inhabitants of a sparsely populated country, who settled in the old days mainly near water, it was quite natural to name their places of residence by the names of rivers and lakes,” explains Sirkka Paikkala, specialist at the Institute of Languages ​​of Finland.

The eighth largest city in Finland with a population of 103 thousand people is called Lahti ( Lahti), which means bay. Indeed, the city is located on the shores of the bay, which is part of the lake with the unpretentious name Vesijärvi ( Vesijä rvi) which translates as... water lake.

And here is the Ruskeasuo district of Helsinki ( Ruskeasuo), as if contrary to its name, meaning a brown swamp, is buried in greenery and pleases the eye with its well-groomed, well-maintained appearance. There are more correspondences in the names of other places: Mustikkamaa ( Mustikkamaa) - in translation means blueberry land, and this name is given to a pleasant island with virgin nature, located near the Helsinki Zoo. The name of the district of Helsinki Kallio ( Kallio) in translation means a rock and suits well this bohemian area of ​​the capital, famous for its bars and nightlife.

Representatives of the animal world often appear in the names of Finnish cities: Kontiomäki ( Kontiomä ki) is the bear mountain, Kotka ( Kotka) - eagle. Name of the city of Nokia Nokia) - the ancestor of the world well-known brand mobile phones - has a meaning that has almost disappeared from the modern language: in the old days it was called sable.

“The names of many of our cities come from the names of some peasant farms, estates in which only one family could live and work, and which gradually grew and turned into villages, and then into cities,” says Paikkala. Many of these names end in -la ( – la) is the so-called collective plurality suffix. For example, the name of one of municipal districts Pusula ( Pusula) comes from the word pusu (pusu) - a kiss, when adding the suffix -la, you get a "place of kisses." A common Finnish proper name Karhula ( Karhula) comes from the word karhu (karhu) - bear. Thus, Karhula means a place where there are many bears or a bearish place.

Bilingual puzzles

Several centuries ago, immigrants from the Swedish lands of Helsingland founded a trading shop at the mouth of the river that flows into the Gulf of Finland in its southern part. Local Swedish-speaking residents began to call their settlement the word Helsingfors ( Helsingfors). The basis of this word is Helsing» indicates the homeland of merchants Helsingland, and « fors” in translation from Swedish means river rapids, rapids. Later, the name Helsinki took root among the Finnish population. The mouth of the river - the original founding place of the Finnish capital - today is no longer in the city center, in one of the districts in the northern part of Helsinki, called Vanhakaupunki ( Vanhakaupunki), which means old city.

As Paikkala explains, many Finnish place names, especially the names of places in the coastal areas of Finland, originally came from Swedish words. Some Finnish cities even have two different official names in the two official languages ​​of Finland. An example is the former capital of Finland, which has two names - the Finnish Turku ( Turku) and Swedish Obu ( Å bo) . The Finnish name Turku is derived from the Russian word 'torg', while the Swedish name 'Obu' is translated from Swedish as a settlement on the banks of a river.

Some Finnish names, seemingly inexplicable and strange at first glance, come from the old Swedish names of these places, the sound of which the Finns later “adapted” to their native Finnish language. One example of this is the old picturesque town of Porvoo. Its Swedish name is Borgo ( borgå) translated from Swedish means a fortress on the river. Replacing consonants unusual for the Finnish language b and g ( b, g) into familiar phonemes p, c ( p, v) and getting rid of the specific vowel of the Swedish alphabet å, the Finns got their own, convenient in Finnish pronunciation version of the name of the city - Porvoo.

A similar example is the history of the name of the fort island-fortress Suomenlinna. (Suomenlinna) located near the Finnish capital. Suomenlinna is translated from Finnish as a Finnish fortress, but before Finland gained independence in 1917, the name Viapori was used behind the fortress ( Viapori) , which is nothing more than the Finnish pronunciation of the Swedish name of the fortress - Sveaborg ( Sveaborg). Sveaborg, in turn, is translated from Swedish as a Swedish fortress.

City of Tampere ( Tampere), perhaps owes its name to either the Swedish language or another official language of Finland - the language of the national minority Sami. According to one version, the name Tampere comes from the Swedish word dam, according to another, it contains old word Sami language, meaning calm water between rapids. Today, the vast majority of the Saami people live in the northernmost part of Lapland, but echoes of the Saami names can be found in place names throughout Finland, in places where the Saami settled earlier. The largest city in Lapland, Rovaniemi, has a mixed etymology: the first part of the word Rova means in Sami a mountain covered with trees, and the second part of the word is a Finnish word niemi, meaning peninsula. the most beautiful national park Finland, located northwest of Helsinki, is called Nuuksio (Nuuksio), the etymology of this name is associated with the Sami word for swan.

Bizarre names-curiosities

Photo: Jari Mäkinen/VisitFinland

Some Finnish cities and territories have received curious names for some reason. Take, for example, the name of a town in eastern Finland, Varkaus ( Varkaus) - it makes travelers instinctively want to look after their belongings, because the word vvarkaus means theft.

Another example is the name of the Pohja municipality ( Pohja, which translates as the bottom.

The very last stop of trains traveling to the northwest of Lapland is a station with a name that portends evil - Kolari ( Kolari) . Kolari is translated from Finnish as a wreck, although, most likely, this name comes from a completely different word - coolari, meaning the preparation of charcoal. On its historical path, this word “lost” only one letter o, and as a result, having lost its original meaning, it turned into an ominous “crash”.

Another interesting name is Arabia ( Arabia), appearing on the signs of tram routes in Helsinki. The spelling and pronunciation is quite close to "Arabia", which can give guests of the capital an exaggerated idea of ​​the length of the tram routes of the Finnish capital, but in fact, Arabia is just one of its districts, located on the seashore.

The shortest geographical name in Finland is a small town located in the coastal part of the Gulf of Bothnia. There are only two letters in its name, and they are the same, two and: Ii ( II), and this name is pronounced as a long letter "and". At the root of this name is a Sami word meaning a place to sleep.

Unusual Finnish name Snappertuna (Snappertuna) received a charming village in the region of Itya-maa. Guests are attracted here by both its picturesque appearance and its mysterious, intricate name, which most likely has Swedish roots.

Text: Fran Weaver, September 2014

Finland - small northern country with unique color. The birthplace of Santa Claus, the land of a thousand lakes - such associations arise at the mention of Finland. As well as a sauna, fishing, and special Finnish humor.

However, few people know that "Finland" is not a Finnish word at all. What do Finns call their country if not Finland? Suomi is the name of the state. Let's figure out where it came from.

A bit of history. State formation

For almost seven centuries Finland was ruled by Sweden. All this time, the Russian Empire fought for the Finnish lands. Only at the beginning of the 19th century, Finland was ceded to Russia, and gained independence in 1917. Nevertheless (or maybe that's why), the Finns are very sensitive to the issue of self-determination and national identity. Reverently, but patiently, accepting the fact of a multilingual and multinational society. Swedish has the status of a second state language, and Russian, although not officially recognized, is studied in many schools and is used in Everyday life. Pointers, price tags in shops, announcements in Russian are the norm, especially in border areas.

Why Suomi?

The way Finns call their country has several interpretations. According to one version, the name comes from the word "suomaa" - swamp, swampy land. On the other - from the word "suomu" - fish scales.

In modern Russian there is also a consonant word "Saami", the name of a small people living in Lapland, as well as in the northern part of Norway. Saami - nomadic tribe reindeer herders, which has retained its own language (in Norway it is the second state language), and traditions and customs.

If you dig deeper, the root of the word "suomi" echoes the Baltic "zeme", which simply means "land".

Finland vs Suomi. What do Finns think?

There is no clear explanation of where the word Finland comes from. Historians agree only that it is rooted in the days of Swedish rule. The Scandinavian word "finnland" literally means "beautiful land". This is how the Swedes called part of the territory of modern southwestern Finland back in the 12th century.

The Finns themselves, with their characteristic equanimity, accept both names. Loving your country is a national trait. Moreover, this love is deep, not subject to a sense of false patriotism. What is the Finnish country? Homeland for Finns is thousands of lakes, endless forests, northern lights and a sense of dignity. What word it is called outside the country is a secondary thing.

national idea- is not political system or territorial integrity. For Finns, this is, first of all, silence, peace and respect for nature.

Details Category: Nordic countries Posted on 15.05.2013 16:46 Views: 5612

Suomi (Suomi)- so the Finns themselves call their country. So it is also called in the Novgorod chronicles of the beginning of the 12th century: Sum.

And translated from Swedish, Finland means “land of the Finns”.
But there is no unambiguous interpretation of the Finnish name (Suomi). There are several assumptions about this: some believe that the word Suomi comes from the Finnish suomu (“scales”) - the ancient inhabitants of these places sewed clothes from fish skin. Others suggest that the name of the country comes from the name of its own Suomi, but there is a third version: the country began to be called by the name of the locality Sooma ("land of swamps"). There are other versions, philological, coming from the lexical analysis of the word Suomi.
Be that as it may, in Russian and other languages ​​\u200b\u200bthis country is called Finland, is a friendly country, inhabited by thorough and punctual people, somewhat slow, but exceptionally honest. Therefore, probably, Finland is one of the least corrupt countries in Europe and the best country peace for motherhood (recognized in 2013)
Finland (officially - Republic of Finland ) borders Russia, Sweden and Norway. She is washed by the waters the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland and Bothnia.

Separately, I would like to say about Lapland. Although she was never one public education and is currently divided between four states: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia (Kola Peninsula), but it is Lapland that is considered the birthplace Santa Claus, Santa Claus and their Sami counterpart Mun Kalls.

State symbols of Finland

Flag- is a white rectangular panel with a blue Scandinavian cross.
Exist National (civil) and state Finnish flags.
National (civil) flag- a rectangular panel with a ratio of its width to length of 11:18.

There are two types: rectangular and with "pigtails". It has an image of the state emblem in a square in the center of the cross. The square has a thin yellow border, the width of which is 1/40 of the width of the crosses.
The rectangular state flag has the same proportions as the national flag.

State flag with "pigtails" has a ratio of width to length of 11:19 and a length of "pigtails" equal to 6/11 of the flag's width with cutouts of 5/11 of the flag's width. The middle "pigtail" has as its base a horizontal cross of a blue cross and is equal in width to it. Two other "pigtails" form the upper and lower corners of the free part of the panel.

Coat of arms- a crowned golden lion in a scarlet field, the right front paw is replaced by a hand in armor holding a silver sword with a golden handle. The lion tramples with his hind paws a silver Saracen saber with a golden hilt. The shield is studded with 9 silver rosettes (according to the number of historical parts of Finland). Officially used only with 1978., although it first appeared around 1580. on the statue of the Swedish king Gustav I Vases installed in the Gothic cathedral of the Swedish city of Uppsala. a lion- an ancient Scandinavian symbol of power and might.
The coat of arms appeared in 1581. when the Swedish king Johan III approved the coat of arms of the Principality of Finland, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Sweden.

Brief description of modern Finland

Form of government- a mixed republic (a form of government between the presidential and parliamentary republics). Finland is a unitary state with one partial autonomy (Aland Islands).
Chief Executive- President elected for 6 years.
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Head of Parliament(eduskunty) - speaker.
Capital— Helsinki.
Largest cities– Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, Vantaa, Turku.
Territory- 338,430.53 km².
Population– 5 429 894 people Finns make up 93.4% of the population, Finnish Swedes 5.6%, Russians 0.51%, Estonians 0.42%, Sami 0.15%.
official languages- Finnish, Swedish.
State religion- Lutheranism and Orthodoxy.
Currency- Euro.
Economy- an economically developed country. The main sectors of the economy: forestry, information and telecommunications, metallurgy, energy, business services, healthcare, engineering, food industry, construction. Finland ranks first in the world in paper production.
Agriculture- Agricultural land occupies 8% of the entire territory of the country. Agriculture, like cattle breeding, is highly mechanized.
Climate- moderate, transitional from maritime to continental, and in the north continental.

In the picture: A. Rylov "Spring in Finland"
Education- secondary school: 9 years of study, from 7 years. The school provides textbooks and all stationery free of charge and teaches Finnish, mathematics, natural history, and home economics. Teaching religion only with the consent of the parents and in accordance with the religion.
Library shelves are in the corridor, access to them is free.
Grades in lower grades do not put. Characterized by the words: "excellent", "good", "changeable" and "requires training." From 4th grade grades from 4 to 10 points; 10 - almost unattainable, 4 - nowhere worse. There are ratings for behavior. From grade 3, the first foreign language is added to the subjects - English. From the 5th grade - the second (German-French) by choice and desire. A foreign-speaking child is supposed to study from the first grade mother tongue. From the 7th grade, they begin to learn the second state language - Swedish.
After graduation, you can continue your studies at a gymnasium or enter a secondary vocational school.
Higher education can be obtained at universities or specialized institutes and at the military academy. Education in Finland is free.

Pictured: University of Helsinki
Administrative division– 19 provinces (regions), which are divided into communes (municipalities).

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland

Rauma

It is a city in the west of Finland, on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. Rauma famous for its high quality lace, known since XVII in., and the old wooden architecture in the city center.

Fortress Suomenlinna

Fortress Sveaborg(Swedish for "Swedish fortress"), or Suomenlinna(fin. "Finnish fortress") - a bastion system of fortifications on the islands near the capital of Finland, Helsinki. From the 18th to the 20th centuries the fortifications protected Helsingfors (Helsinki) from the sea. The fortifications of the fortress are built on 7 rocky islands that make up the "Wolf Skerries".

Old church in the village of Petäjävesi

Wooden church(this word is usually used to refer to Lutheran ceremonial buildings), built in 1763-1764 gg. near the town of Petäjavesi. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of traditional Scandinavian church architecture. The church combines elements of the Renaissance, Gothic and Finnish wooden architecture.

Woodworking factory in Werl

Founded in 1872 Finnish engineer Hugo Neumann. The water of the river turned the wheel, which started the mechanism that peeled the bark from the logs. In 1876 the factory burned down completely.
After the fire, the factory was rebuilt according to the design of the Vyborg architect Eduard Dippel. The complex of buildings included a residential building, a factory building made of red brick, various workshops, a mill warehouse made of light brick. The factory produced white wood board in various thicknesses, which was supplied to Russia, Europe and even South America. During the year, the factory produced 2000 tons of cardboard, the same amount a modern paper mill produces per day. The factory's products were bought by workshops for the production of packaging materials and cardboard-binding workshops.
In 1964 the factory was closed, and in 1972 the first industrial museum in Finland was opened there.

Sammallahdenmäki

Necropolis of the Bronze Age. Includes 36 granite burial cairns (stone mounds) dating from 1500 to 500 g. BC e. The necropolis is located on a hill off the road between Tampere and Rauma. It is one of the most important Bronze Age sites in prehistoric Scandinavia.

Other sights of Finland

Ukonkiwi

A small rocky island in Lake Inari, one of more than 3,000 islands in this lake. In ancient times there was sacred place for the Saami, served them for sacrifices. named after an old man Ukko, one of the highest deities in the traditional religion of the Finns, Karelians and Sami. On the western side of the island is a sacrificial cave. AT 1873. a fragment of a silver necklace was found in this cave by the English archaeologist Arthur John Evans. AT summer time there is a cruise ship to the island.

Petroglyphs of Astuvansalmi

Rock art in Astuvansalmi (located in Finland on the shores of Lake Juovesi). This is largest collection rock art throughout prehistoric Scandinavia containing 65 drawings. The first report about the discovery of petroglyphs was published by the Finnish archaeologist Pekka Sarvas in 1968, although the images were known to local residents earlier.
Currently, the drawings are located at a height of 7.7 -11.8 m above the level of Lake Saimaa. But at the time of the creation of the drawings, his level was higher. The oldest of the petroglyphs date back to about 3000 - 2500 years. BC e.

Santa Claus Village

An amusement park in Finland dedicated to the Christmas Santa, who is called Joulupukki in Finland, and Santa Claus in English-speaking countries. located in the province Lapland.
According to tradition, Santa Claus is believed to have been born in Lapland. Santa Claus Village is considered the immediate residence of Santa Claus, and therefore is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Finland.

Moomin country

Theme Park Heroes book series Tove Jansson about the Moomin trolls. The park is located on Kailo near the old part of the city of Naantali. A 250-meter pontoon bridge leads to the island. Part of the journey can be made on a special Moomin train that runs between the park and central part Naantali.
Artists in costumes of book characters entertain and hug children, arrange various shows for them. Among the attractions of the park, one can note the Moomin house, "talking trees", a labyrinth, etc. The theater hosts performances in Finnish and Swedish several times a day.
There is also a children's theme park on the neighboring island. Adventure Island Viaska, whose entertainment is dedicated to the theme of the "wild West". AT winter time you can get to the islands freely, including on ice.

Hartwall Arena

A large multifunctional indoor arena located in Helsinki. The construction of the stadium was timed to coincide with the Ice Hockey World Championship in 1997., architect Harry Harkimo. The building has the shape of an ellipse, which is 153 meters long and 123 meters wide. World championships in hockey, floorball (indoor hockey), wrestling, karting, etc. are held here.

Kiasma (Museum of Modern Art)

The most visited museum in Finland. It belongs to the Finnish National Gallery along with the Ateneum Art Museum, the Sinebrychoff Art Museum (Gallery) and the Central Art Archives of Finland.
The building was designed and planned for 40 years. It opened in the spring 1998.
About 4,000 exhibits of contemporary art are stored in the museum's funds.

Ateneum (Helsinki)

Central Art Museum of Finland. The museum houses the largest art collection in Finland, with over 20 thousand exhibits: paintings, sculptures, graphics and drawings, from the works of the 1750s to the work of artists of the 1950s.

Above the main entrance there are busts of famous figures of classical art: Donato Bramante, Raphael and Phidias. The last floor is completed by a pediment supported by four caryatids, which symbolizes the four arts: sculpture, architecture, painting and music.

Helsinki Music House

Musical Cultural Center in Helsinki. Opened in 2011. There are five halls in the House of Music: the Great Hall for 1700 spectators and four small halls for chamber music, for modern dance, for musical experiments, jazz and folk music, as well as an organ hall with two large and two small organs. In addition to places for performances, the House of Music has a conference room, as well as classrooms for the Sibelius Academy.

Senate Square Helsinki

In the picture: on the left - the University of Helsinki, in the center - the Cathedral, on the right - the building of the Senate (Council of State).
The square in the central part of the city, it is a kind of " calling card" cities.
The square was laid out in the style of late classicism after Finland joined the Russian Empire. AT 1830-1852. architect Karl Ludwig Engel erected a monumental Nikolaevsky sobo R. In front of the cathedral is monument to Alexander II. It was installed in 1894 in memory of the restoration of Finnish parliamentarism by Emperor Alexander II.

Abo castle

Turku Castle (Abo Castle)- a Swedish castle in the city of Turku, which acquired a close to modern look during the reign of Gustav Vasa. It is one of the most remarkable medieval castles in Finland. Located at the mouth of the Aurajoki River. The original building is about to end 13th century In the Middle Ages and XVI century. expanded several times.
Beginning with late XVI century, Turku Castle was used as a prison and storage. And since the end of the XIX century. served as a museum. In 1941, as a result of the bombing of the Soviet air force was significantly damaged.
Currently, Turku Castle is one of the most important monuments of the history of construction in Finland. In the premises of the castle is located historical Museum the city of Turku.

National Museum of Finland

The museum exposition presents a large number of exhibits related to the history of Finland. The building was completed in 1910 exposition National Museum divided into six parts. It presents collections of coins, medals, orders and insignia, silver, jewelry and weapons. Many exhibits were found in archaeological excavations on the territory of Finland.

Alexander Theater (Helsinki)

One of the oldest theaters in Finland. The Alexander Theater has a unique atmosphere of the ancient Imperial Theater. Its history is connected with the great names of Russian and Finnish artists. Performed on the theater stage Fyodor Chaliapin, Maria Savina, Vladimir Davydov, Konstantin Varlamov, Maxim Gorky and others.
The theater was built on the initiative of the Governor-General of Finland, Nikolai Adlerberg, who proposed to Emperor Alexander II to build a theater in Helsinki for the Russians. The theater was completed in October 1879 and was named the Alexander Russian National Theater in Helsinki. The theater was named after Alexander II, who covered a significant amount of expenses from his treasury.
The Alexander Theater was solemnly opened on March 30 1880. opera by C. Gounod "Faust" performed by the Italian opera troupe.

Korkeasaari

Zoo on the island of the same name in Helsinki. One of the northernmost and oldest zoos in the world. The zoo has over 200 different animal species, as well as over 1,000 different plant species. The zoo has more than 20 rare and endangered animal species in its collection.
The zoo has created a special service for the care of wild animals in need of help. Approximately 1,300 animals are treated in Korkeasaari every year.

Temppeliaukio

In the picture: the copper roof of the church
Lutheran parish church in Töölö, one of the central districts of Helsinki. It is amazing that it was created in the rock.
The interior of the church was carved into the rock, but the building has a lot of natural light coming through the glass dome. The church has excellent acoustics. Acoustic quality is ensured by rough, virtually unfinished rock surfaces. The space behind the altar is bounded by a majestic stone wall that arose naturally after the melting of the glacier. Inside the building there is an organ consisting of 43 pipes.

Pictured: church organ
Temppeliaukio Church is one of the most popular attractions in the city.

Olafsborg

The first Swedish fortress, built with the expectation of confronting firearms. It is located in the municipality of Savonlinna in the province of South Savo on a rocky island. Under the protection of the castle, a settlement arose, which in 1639 became the city of Nyslott (Neyshlot).
Castle of St. Olaf was laid down by order of Regent Eric Tott in 1475. in case of war with the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which annexed Novgorod.
During the Northern War, the fortress became one of the main obstacles on the way of Russian troops deep into Sweden. But on July 28, 1714, the garrison of the fortress surrendered to the Russian troops. In 1721, under the terms of the Nystadt Peace Treaty, the fortress was returned to Sweden.
During the next Russian-Swedish war Russian troops in 1742 again approached Olavinlinna. The garrison of the fortress consisted of only a hundred people and two days later laid down their arms. In 1743, the Abo peace was concluded, according to which the fortress went to Russia along with the entire Savonlinna region.
Currently, Olavinlinna is one of the major tourist centers in Finland. Within the walls of the fortress there are museums dedicated to the history of the castle and Orthodox iconography.

Helsinki Cathedral

The main church of the Helsinki diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the home church of the parishioners' community of the cathedral.
The construction of the cathedral went in parallel with the construction in St. Petersburg St. Isaac's Cathedral, with which Helsinki has much in common. The temple was solemnly opened on February 15 1852. He was dedicated Saint Nicholas, heavenly patron of the reigning emperor Nicholas I, and was named the Church of St. Nicholas.

Eureka (museum)

In the picture: Archimedean screw (animation)

Science Museum of Vantaa, near Helsinki. To date, this main science museum Scandinavia. The museum was opened in 1989.
In the museum building and on its territory there are over 100 exhibits demonstrating various physical laws and experiments. Each of the visitors of the museum can become a participant in the experiment, as well as watch a movie in the planetarium. On the territory of the museum there is a collection of Finnish minerals, as well as an arboretum.
The complex consists of three pavilions and the GALILEI science park. The cylindrical pavilion houses the main exhibition, laboratories in which children can conduct laboratory work under the guidance of an instructor, a children's Eureka with a popular rat basketball, and the Minerva Theater. The pillared pavilion houses the classics of Eureka: illusion exhibits, a carpet flying with compressed air, air cannons, visitors can raise the car through a system of rope blocks. Temporary exhibitions are held in the columnar and spherical pavilions, and in science park under open sky there is a wind machine, Archimedes screw, swings and bridges.

Olympic Stadium (Helsinki)

The largest sports arena in Finland.
The construction of the stadium has been going on since 1934 on 1938. The tower of the Olympic Stadium has a height 72 m 71 cm in honor of Matti Järvinen's record in javelin throw at the 1932 Olympic Games. Capacity - 40 thousand spectators. Interior view The arena is reminiscent of the ancient stadiums of antiquity.

Saimaa Canal

Navigation channel between Lake Saimaa in Finland and Gulf of Finland near the city of Vyborg. Total length channel is 57,3 km. The canal was built in 1845-1856. in the Grand Duchy of Finland. The grand opening of the channel took place on September 7 1856 in honor of the day of the coronation of the emperor Alexander II.
On November 20, 2011, President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev signed the law “On Ratification of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Finland on the Lease by the Republic of Finland of the Russian Part of the Saimaa Canal and the Territory Adjacent to It and on Navigation through the Saimaa Canal”.

Ski resorts Pyhä and Luosto

Ski resorts Pyhä and Luosto surrounded by forests national park Pyhätunturi in Lapland. There are wonderful conditions for spending winter holidays here. Ski slopes and cross-country ski trails are well maintained. Alpine skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh and reindeer sleigh rides, winter fishing- all this is available to tourists. Plus, Lappish cuisine.

Oulanka (national park)

Oulanka– a unique combination of northern, southern and oriental nature. The landscape is represented by pine forests, river valleys with sandy shores and rapids, huge marshes in the north. The park is under the protection of the World Wide Fund for Nature Protection from intensive reindeer husbandry. The area of ​​the park is rich in plant and animal species, even endangered ones. There is also a research center next to the visitor center. Riverbeds and alluvial meadows are home to rare butterfly species and over a hundred species of birds. Most of the meadows are traditionally used for reindeer herding. Among the mammals of the park - bear, lynx and wolverine, and among the birds - rare species: kuksha and capercaillie.

Koli (national park)

In winter the national park is popular ski resort, a resting place mainly for tourists from Russia.
The ski slope at Ukko-koli is the highest in all of Southern Finland (its height 347 m).

Turku Cathedral

The main Lutheran church in Finland. Built in the second half 13th century., consecrated in 1300 in honor of the Virgin Mary and the first bishop of the country - St. Henry, who baptized Finland. Built in the north gothic style long time model for the construction of other churches in Finland. In the Middle Ages, the cathedral was rebuilt and expanded. In the XV century. side chapels were added to the cathedral. Later, the height of the vault of the central nave was increased to its present size (24 m). In 1827 the cathedral was seriously damaged by fire. The 101-meter tower of the cathedral was built during the restoration of the cathedral and became a symbol of the city of Turku.

Assumption Cathedral (Helsinki)

Cathedral Helsinki Diocese of the Finnish Archdiocese. It was built according to the design of the Russian architect A. M. Gornostaev in the pseudo-Byzantine style in 1868. Named in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The chapel at the cathedral was consecrated in honor of Hieromartyr Alexander Khotovitsky, who until 1917 was rector of the Helsingfors parish.
AT this moment Assumption Cathedral is the largest Orthodox cathedral in Northern and Western Europe(At the time of construction, Finland was part of the Russian Empire). Overall Height structures - 51 m.

Monument to Sibelius

This is a somewhat unusual monument, to which the Finns are still ambiguous, although it is often visited by tourists. Its author is Eila Hiltunen, she worked on the monument for several years. The monument is unusual in that it is an ensemble of several hundred copper pipes. However, such a monument is quite appropriate for its purpose, given that Jean Sibelius- composer. Let's talk a little about him.

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) is a Finnish composer of Swedish origin. He was born in the family of a doctor, but the whole family was musical, the children played various musical instruments. He studied music in Germany. His debut as a composer took place with the performance of the symphonic poem "Kullervo", op. 7, for soloists, male choir and orchestra, based on one of the legends of the Finnish folk epic Kalevala. These were years of unprecedented patriotic upsurge, and Sibelius was hailed as the musical hope of the nation. He is the author of symphonic music and music for drama theater (16 works in total), the author of piano, vocal works, music for organ, etc. A special position in the Finnish national culture is occupied by his symphonic poem "Finland", which is a musical illustration of the history of the people and had an anti-Russian orientation. Melody was successful and became the national anthem.
In Finland, Sibelius is recognized as a great national composer, a symbol of the greatness of the country. Even during his lifetime, he received honors that were given to only a few artists: the numerous streets of Sibelius, the parks of Sibelius, the annual music festival "Sibelius Week". In 1939, the Musical Institute, where Sibelius studied, was named the Sibelius Academy.

Repovesi (national park)

Previously, logging was carried out here, but after the creation of the national park, the territories were restored to a state close to the primary one. They mostly grow here. pines and birches. Animal world: bears, deer and various birds. Also there are lynxes, elks, owls, red loons, birds of the chicken family. The Koukunjoki River flows through the park. There are also streams and lakes.
Attractions are Olhavanvuori hill, popular among rock climbers, the water route Kultareitti (fin. "Golden path"). In the park in Kuutinlahti Bay, timber rafting channels, the Lapinsalmi suspension bridge 50 m long and weighing 5 tons, and several observation towers, of which the highest is the Elving Tower, 20 m high, have been restored.

Nuuksio (national park)

In the picture: an ordinary flying squirrel

This is the closest national park to Helsinki. Founded in 1994., its area is 45 km². There are 4 marked hiking trails, campsites, places for grilling, picking berries and mushrooms. The symbol of the park is the flying squirrel (flying squirrel), there are dozens of endangered bird species: for example, nightjar, forest lark.

Tank Museum (Parola)

Military History Museum in Finland. Expositions and technical samples of tank and anti-tank units of the Finnish Defense Forces are collected and studied here.
The museum is open from 1961 The territory of the museum is constantly expanding, in 1986 a railway line with an armored train was built. The operating equipment of the museum participated in various parades, performances and filming. Light tanks, medium tanks, heavy tanks, assault guns, armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery mounts are exhibited here.

On the picture: Soviet SU-152

Särkänniemi

Amusement park in Tampere. Opened in 1975., its area is 50 thousand m². In addition to numerous attractions, the park has a planetarium, an aquarium, a mini-zoo and a dolphinarium. The park also houses the Sarah Hilden Art Museum.

In the picture: a performance in the dolphinarium

Ranua is the northernmost zoo in the world

It opened in 1983. Several dozen species of arctic and northern wild animals live here in as close to natural conditions as possible: polar and brown bears, lynxes, wolves, moose, owls, reindeer, etc.

The Ranua Zoo is also famous for the fact that in November 2011 the "Umka from Ranua" was born here - cub of a polar bear. Polar bears practically do not breed in captivity.

Tahko

Ski resort and year-round tourist center in Finland. Located in Nilsia, 70 km from the city of Kuopio. Here are a variety of recreational opportunities: skiing and cross-country skiing, snowmobile safaris, golf, mountain biking, equestrian sports, hiking, kayaking and canoeing, rowing and fishing, bowling, swimming spa pool, etc.

History of Finland

prehistoric period

The first mention of Finland appears in 98 g. in writings Tacitus. He describes the inhabitants of this country as primitive savages, knowing no weapons, no horses, no dwellings, eating herbs, dressing in animal skins, sleeping on the ground. Their only weapons are spears, which they make from bone. Tacitus distinguishes between the Finns and the Sami (a neighboring people who lived in the same territory and had, apparently, a similar way of life). But about the origin of the Finns, there are contradictory theory, so let this question remain for the discussion of specialists. Presumably, Neanderthals lived here. Finds made in 1996 in wolf cave(stone tools), indicate traces human activity age 120 000 years. The Wolf Cave is located in Finland, near the city of Kristinestad, on the banks of the Karijoki River. It is unique in that during the last ice age it was hidden by the thickness of the glacier and was below sea level.

Pictured: inside the cave
On the territory of modern Finland, the remains of the most ancient settlements were found in the region of the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia and Lake Ladoga, more northern regions were busy at the time continental ice. The ancient inhabitants were hunters, gatherers and fishermen. There is no consensus on the language they spoke. The most likely way of forming the population of Finland was a mixture of indigenous and newcomers. Gene analysis data indicate that the modern gene pool of Finns is 20-25% represented by the Baltic genotype, about 25% - Siberian and 25-50% - German.
1,000 years after Tacitus, it became possible to talk about the existence of three branches of the population: “Finns proper”, who lived in the south-west of the country or sum (Suomi); tavasts - in Central and Eastern Finland or Em; Karelians - in Southeastern Finland to Lake Ladoga.
In many ways they differed from each other and were often at enmity with each other. Pushing the Saami to the north, they did not yet have time to merge into one nationality.

Finland before 1150 AD

In the first 400 years A.D. e. there was no state or cultural whole yet. The climate and nature were harsh, and new modes of production came from the early agricultural societies of the Mediterranean slowly and with difficulty. Nose V on IX centuries. n. e. the population of the coastal areas of the Baltic region was growing. With the spread of cattle breeding and agriculture, the stratification of society intensified, and a class of leaders began to emerge.
Before 8th century. the settled population was concentrated mainly on the southwest coast and in the fertile areas along the Kumo River and its lake system. In other parts of the region, there was a nomadic Saami population who migrated over large areas and were engaged in hunting and fishing. In the middle 8th century. the climate warmed up, the region began to be populated, a culture emerged. Gradually, the settlement of the southern shores of Ladoga by Slavic tribes began.
Since about 500, the Aland Islands have been settled by North Germanic tribes. AT Viking Age(800-1000) the Swedish Vikings began to create trading strongholds on the southern coast of Finland, and then the Swedish element began to take root in Finnish society. At the end of the Viking Age between the states on the Baltic Sea, a competition begins in the colonization of Finnish lands, the population of which was in paganism. At the same time, this time was era of Christianization(Catholic and Orthodox). In general, Christianization took place in a calm atmosphere.

Finland under Swedish rule (1150-1809)

The Swedes called Finland "Esterland" (" Eastern country"). To 12th century. Swedish power in Finland increased. Near 1220 g. The Swedes established an episcopal see in Finland. The first bishop was the British priest Thomas. Under him, the Swedes equipped an army led by jarl(first dignitary) to weaken the influence of Novgorod, but failed in a night skirmish with the unexpectedly attacked army of the prince Alexander Nevsky on a tributary of the Neva River Izhora at its mouth in 1240 Subsequently, at the site of the skirmish was installed memorial stone(existing to this day), and the prince who took a personal part in it received an addition to the name "Nevsky".

Marshal Thorkel Knutsson during the third crusade in 1293. made a campaign against the Novgorodians, conquered southwestern Karelia and founded there in 1293.Vyborg Castle, and in 1300 the Swedes erected the Landskrona fortress on the banks of the Neva River, which a year later was taken by the Novgorodians, led by the son of Alexander Nevsky, Prince Andrey Gorodetsky after which the fort was destroyed. Hostilities between the Swedes and Novgorodians continued almost continuously until 1323. when the Swedish king Magnus Ericsson concluded with prince of novgorodYuri Daniilovich peace treaty on Orekhovy Island at the source of the Neva River. This agreement established eastern border Swedish dominions.

Bu Jonsson

One of the most influential figures XIV-XV centuries. was Bu Jonsson, the largest landowner in Sweden, who contributed to the accession to the throne of Albrecht of Mecklenburg in the election of the king in 1364. Soon Bo Jonsson received the position drotsa(supreme chancellor of the kingdom). The king depended on the economic support of Jonsson, so the latter managed to buy out most of the royal estates and become the de facto ruler. Bu Jonsson had the strongest power over the Finnish estates, which became, as it were, his own state within a state.
He planted feudal orders there, but they did not take root in this poor, uncultured and sparsely populated country.

Kalmar Union (1389-1523)

Margarita Danish, who concluded the Kalmar Union, was recognized in Finland as a queen in 1398., 9 years later than in Sweden, and her heir was Eric Pomeranian(1412-1439), who enjoyed the love of the people in Finland.
AT XVI century. started in Finland Reformation. Bishop of Turku Mikael Agricola(1510-1557) translated into the Finnish alphabet New Testament . Fully Bible was transferred to 1642 d. After that, the rapid development of national Finnish culture began.

During the reign of Gustav Vasa (1523-1560)

Under Gustav Vasa, the colonization of northern empty spaces began, centralization in the economy. In order to compete with Tallinn (Revel) located on the Estonian coast Helsingfors was founded. Gustav Vasa strengthened the royal power, exalted the importance of the nobility. Taking land from the clergy, he distributed them to the nobles. The first serious manifestations of the separatism of the Finnish nobles belong to this era, although the attempts to isolate Finland did not enjoy the sympathy of the people: they remained faithful to the legitimate government, seeing in it protection against the aristocrats. Realizing that it was difficult to govern Finland from Stockholm, Gustav Vasa in 1556 endowed his son Yuhana the title of Duke of Native Finland. This gave Johan the opportunity to pursue an independent policy. After Johan's death, an internecine war broke out.

Great power time (1617-1721)

This time Gustav II Adolf, even during his lifetime called the "King-Hero", or "Lion of Europe" - Sweden reached the pinnacle of its power.
Of external events especially importance for Finland had Stolbovsky peace treaty (1617), according to which Russia ceded a vast area to Sweden: the so-called Keksholm district.
Time Charles XI (1660-1697) was domination orthodox Protestantism. But, in persecuting heretics, the church also resorted to educational measures. In 1686, a church statute was published, which was canceled in Finland only in 1869. At the end of the reign of Charles XI, Finland suffered a terrible famine, which exterminated almost a fourth of the population.

North War

AT 1700 Sweden went to war with everyone neighboring countries: Denmark, Saxony, Poland and Russia, who hoped for an easy victory over the Swedes. Hostilities did not affect Finland for 10 years of war. But in the spring 1710. Russians began a campaign in Finland, and to 1714. she was conquered. Occupation period in Finnish historiography since late XVIII in. became known as "Great Trouble". It is believed that over the years about 8,000 civilians were deported to Russia from the territory of Finland.
Russian troops were in Finland until 1721.when he was imprisoned Peace of Nystadt. According to the terms of the peace treaty, Livonia, Estland, Ingermanland and Karelia were ceded to Russia.

The era of Gustav III (1771-1792)

Gustav III put an end to the dominance of the aristocratic oligarchy. On the The Tilsit date (1807) between Alexander I and Napoleon the fate of Finland was decided; among other secret conditions, France allowed Russia to take Finland away from Sweden. September 17 1809. Friedrichsham peace was concluded, according to which Sweden ceded Finland and part of the province of Västerbotten to the Torneo and Muonio rivers to Russia, as well as the Aland archipelago. Finland passed under the Friedrichsgam peace treaty "into the property and sovereign possession of the Russian Empire."

Russian rule (1809-1917)

Alexander I at the Landtag in Porvo, he delivered a speech in French in which he said: “I promised to preserve your Constitution, your fundamental laws; your assembly here witnesses the fulfillment of my promises.” The next day, members of the Seim took an oath that they "recognize as their sovereign Alexander I the Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia, the Grand Duke of Finland, and will preserve the fundamental laws and constitutions of the region in the form in which they currently exist." AT 1812. became the capital of Finland Helsinki. The purpose of this was to give an opportunity to territorially reorient the Finnish elite to St. Petersburg. In this era, the Finns, perhaps for the first time in history, felt like a single nation, with a single culture, history, language and identity. In all areas public life there was a patriotic upsurge.
Governing body Alexander II became an era of rapid economic and cultural development of the country. In memory of the king and his "Era of liberal reforms", which replaced the 500-year-old Swedish rule and opened the era of state independence, on Senate Square a monument was erected to him.
Alexander III and especially Nicholas II pursued a policy of limiting Finnish independence.
AT 1908-1914 The policy of Russification continued, and the activity of the Finnish Parliament was blocked by the tsarist veto. At the same time, a wave of patriotic protest rose in the country. During the First World War, sympathy for Germany intensified.

Independence of Finland

After October revolution 1917. the question of the legal status of Finland in Russia has not been resolved. This made it possible to declare an independent status, due to the lack of eligible applicants for agreements with Finland. A similar situation occurred with Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and other outskirts of the Russian Empire. 31th of December 1917 Soviet government (Soviet people's commissars), headed by Lenin, recognized Finnish independence. Officially, ratification took place on January 4, 1918. The Scandinavian countries recognized the new state later, after them - France and Germany, and 18 months later - England and the USA.
On May 27, 1918, a new government was formed, headed by a member of the Old Finns party Juho Paasikivi.

After the end of the civil war in Finland with the victory of the "whites", the Finnish troops in May 1918. moved beyond the boundaries of the former Grand Duchy to occupy Eastern Karelia. May 15 1918. The Finnish government has officially announced war against Soviet Russia. Disputes with Soviet Russia were settled thanks to a peace treaty signed in Dorpat (Tartu) in October 1920. In the same year, Finland was admitted to the League of Nations.
In the early 1930s, Finland entered into secret agreements with the Baltic states and Poland on joint actions in the event of a war of one or more countries with the USSR.

Until the outbreak of World War II, Finland remained neutral. Relations with the USSR deteriorated, especially after the conclusion of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact to include Finland, the Baltic countries and eastern regions Poland into the Soviet sphere of influence. Finland made a request to the Swedish government to strengthen the Åland Islands.
The Soviet-Finnish negotiations that took place in the autumn of 1939 in Moscow did not lead to a result. November 26 at the border happened Mainil incident(According to official Soviet statements, on November 26, 1939, on the border section near the village of Mainila, a group of Soviet military personnel was fired upon by artillery. Seven cannon shots were fired, as a result of which three privates and one junior commander were killed, seven privates and two of commanders). Each side blamed the other for what happened. The offer of the Finnish government to look into the incident was rejected. November 28 1939 Molotov announces the termination of the previously concluded non-aggression pact, November 30 1939 Soviet troops invaded Finland. At the request of the international community, the Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations for obvious aggression against a small country. Unexpectedly for the Soviet command, Finland offered strong resistance, but after a while the Finnish troops were forced to retreat. March 12 1940. a peace treaty was signed in Moscow: Finland ceded the peninsula to the USSR Fishing in the north, part of Karelia with Vyborg, northern Ladoga area, a Hanko peninsula was leased to the USSR for a period of 30 years.

AT 1940. Finland, seeking to implement plans for the return of lost lands and the occupation of new territories, went to cooperation with Germany and began to prepare for a joint attack on the Soviet Union. June 25, 1941.Finland declared war on the USSR. On June 29, a joint offensive of Finnish and German troops began from the territory of Finland. December 1941. English government declared war on Finland. AT 1944. Finland began to look for ways out to the world. In September 1944. Finland has signed an agreement on armistice with Great Britain and the USSR and undertook to facilitate the withdrawal of German military formations from the country. In February 1947 between Finland and the USSR an agreement was signed according to which Finland gave up the Petsamo area, exchanged the leased peninsula of Hanko for the Porkkala Udd area and paid reparations in the amount of 300 million dollars.

Neutral Finland

After the war, Finland's position remained uncertain for some time. There were fears that the Soviet Union would try to make Finland a socialist country. But Finland managed to establish good relations with Soviet Union, maintain its political system and develop trade with Western countries. This was the result Paasikivi-Kekkonen political line. The country had to balance between the USSR and the West for a long time.
Despite the need to pay reparations, life in the country gradually improved. AT post-war period Finland's economy developed at a high pace, including thanks to Soviet orders. Finland exported mainly paper and other products of the forestry industry and, with the money earned, strengthened the well-being of society.

Pictured: Urho Kekkonen (left) and Juho Paasikivi

- a state in the north of Europe, a member of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement.

Official name of Finland:
Republic of Finland.

Territory of Finland:
The area of ​​the state of the Republic of Finland is 338145 km².

Population of Finland:
The population of Finland is more than 5 million inhabitants (5219732 people).

Ethnic groups of Finland:
Finns, Swedes, Russians, Estonians, etc.

Average life expectancy in Finland:
The average life expectancy in Finland is equal to - 77.92 years (see. Rating of countries in the world by average life expectancy).

Capital of Finland:
Helsinki.

Major cities in Finland:
Helsinki, Turku.

State language of Finland:
In Finland, according to a special law adopted in 1922, two official languages ​​are Finnish and Swedish. Most people in Finland speak Finnish. On the Swedish 5.5% of the population speak Russian, 0.8% speak Estonian, 0.3%. Other languages ​​are spoken by 1.71% of the Finnish population.

Religion in Finland:
Finnish Evangelical Lutheran and Orthodox churches have the status of state religions. Almost 84.2% of the inhabitants of Finland belong to the former, 1.1% to the latter, 1.2% to other churches, and 13.5% have no religious affiliation.

Geographical position of Finland:
Finland is located in the north of Europe, a significant part of its territory lies beyond the Arctic Circle. On land it borders Sweden, Norway and Russia, maritime border with Estonia passes through the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia of the Baltic Sea.

Rivers of Finland:
Vuoksa, Kajaani, Kemijoki, Oulujoki.

Administrative-territorial division of Finland:
Finland is divided into 6 provinces, governed by governments headed by governors appointed by the country's president. The lowest administrative-territorial unit of the country is the commune. The communes are organized into 20 provinces, governed by provincial councils and serving for the development and interaction of their constituent communes.

State structure of Finland:
Finland is a republic. Higher executive power in the country belongs to the president. The president is elected for a six-year term by direct popular vote.

Executive power in Finland is exercised by the government ( State Council), which consists of the prime minister and a required number of ministers, up to a maximum of 18. The prime minister is chosen by the Finnish parliament and then formally approved by the president. The President of Finland appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The government, together with the prime minister, resigns after each parliamentary election, as well as by decision of the president of the country in case of loss of confidence in the parliament, by personal statement and in some other cases. The Finnish Parliament is unicameral and consists of 200 deputies. Deputies are elected by popular vote for a term of 4 years.

Judicial system Finland is divided into a court dealing with ordinary civil and criminal cases, and an administrative court in charge of cases between people and the administrative organs of the state. Finnish laws are based on Swedish, and more broad sense- on the civil law and Roman law. The judiciary is made up of local courts, regional courts of appeal and high court. The administrative branch consists of administrative courts and a higher administrative court. Elected for a six-year term by direct popular vote.

Nothing is known about the Finns at all. It is not clear, no one knows where they came from - the Finns. Either from the wilderness of forests and swamps they came from somewhere, or the Transbaikalians. But even there the name of the people - the Finns, was not heard at all.

But seriously, people moved to Europe no earlier than 6000 years ago because it was under a glacier. -Finland - Finnish land (land). Suomi - Suomi - from the Omi, a river in Russia, flowing into the Irtysh River, in ancient times part of the territory of Belovodye. The name of the people - Suomi was preserved by the Finns because this word was used among the people, but over time, its meaning was forgotten. It is no coincidence that Slavic runic inscriptions are found on the territory of Scandinavia. The Finns (more correctly, the Finns) are the ancient Slavs-Russians, like the Icelanders, Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, British, Scots, etc. A single people was territorially divided into countries after the collapse of the Slavic-Aryan empire. By replacing their writing with the Latin alphabet and writing a new history, they received different languages, although earlier, the differences between peoples were only in dialect, dialect. In 1697, the Swedish court master of ceremonies Sparvenfeld, in official speech, also called himself "a true bitter heart date." And he wrote in Latin in Russian. This shows how non-Slavs are made from Slavs. The example of today's Ukraine, for 2017, clearly shows this. The Greeks used to call the Finns Phoenicians, Phoenicians, because of the purple color of the sails of their ships. The Phoenicians, the Finns-Slavs, obtained purple from mollusks in sea shells, and they knew how to get different shades and colors from this dye. Greeks (they also claim that the Greeks came from Slavic word- sins) - is an eastern people who adopted the Jewish religion, partially taking cultural heritage Slavs-Rus, after the collapse of the Slavic-Aryan empire. - the city of the Phoenicians-Slavs, which had and Slavic name. The Greeks were not Hellenes. The Hellenes lived in Hellas. Greek names Pallas and Hellas is a modified, Slavic name for Lada, revered by the Russian Slavs. Finns-Phoenicians-Slavs fought with the Greeks. Therefore, the Phoenicians are both cruel and robbers and pirates and slave traders, which in fact was not. The Phoenicians-Slavs are a peaceful working people, they created a written language that is more than 4000 years old, they had developed crafts. They mined a dye - purple, made fabrics and dyed them in purple, mined and smelted metal, glass, were engaged in agriculture, gardening, cattle breeding, jewelry, perfectly built ships, houses, fortresses, had their cities around mediterranean sea(now these are places in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Spain, Italy and not only), sailed to America, Africa, India, Indonesia. Other peoples also called them: Antes (was throughout Asia Minor), Sarmatians, Huns, Polovtsy (straw-haired), Etruscans, Trojans, Pelasgians, Canaan, Scythians - these are all Slavic Rus. Scythians are a distortion of the word skits, from the word skit (enclosed place). Skitiya - real, ancient Russian, to the north and west of Chinese wall. On the other side of China - Chin, called so now. Kita - in Slavic, a large, high fence (barrier). The Slavs who migrated from Skitia were called Scythians, with the loss of the original meaning of the word. The path of the Finns (Phoenicians, dates) to Europe: Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland also ran through the territory of present-day Ukraine from Asia Minor, the Middle East, Palestine (Palestine - Palyonny Stan - in Slavic - a hot country. For example, - according to -Slavonic - not hot. Syria on Miller's map from 1519 is called - Suria, which meant - Rusia. Phenicia on Miller's map of 1519, on the territory of present-day Turkey, where the city remains today - Finike.