It’s been crowned the world’s happiest country for eight consecutive years but what makes Finland‘s residents so contented?
The Nordic country’s spectacular natural beauty and fairytale-like towns might have a part to play in their happiness.
It’s home to Europe’s largest lake district, a spellbinding archipelago and it’s the most forested country in Europe with 75 per cent of its territory carpeted with trees.
Want to find out more? Dive into these beautiful photos of some of Finland’s most breathtaking sites.
From a ‘labyrinth’ of islands to ‘unspoiled nature’ with the ‘world’s cleanest air’…these images might help you understand why Finnish people are quite so joyful.
Would you be happy to live in Finland? Let us know in the comments…
There’s no way you couldn’t be happy surrounded by the beauty of Lake Saimaa (pictured), in the Finnish Lakeland, also known as Finland’s ‘Lake District’. At 4,400 km sq/2,734 sq miles, Saimaa is Finland’s largest lake. Visit Saimaa explains: ‘You won’t find a lake like this anywhere else. Lake Saimaa is a labyrinth formed by wide waters and thousands of islands, not just a simple lake basin’
This stunning image shows Turku Cathedral, in Turku, Finland’s capital and oldest city. Built in the 1200s, the cathedral is considered to be ‘Finland’s most valuable historical monument’, according to Visit Turku
It really is Christmas everyday in Finland thanks to Santa Claus Village (pictured), found in Lapland’s capital, Rovaniemi – ‘the official hometown of Santa Claus’. According to the website, ‘Santa Claus Village is a family destination with plenty to see and do for all ages’ and also has the Arctic Circle Line running right through it, indicated by the line of grey columns in the centre of the above image
Finland’s capital, Helsinki (pictured), is described as a ‘place where urban culture meets coastal nature’ by Visit Finland. The southern city is located on the Gulf of Finland and Visit Finland says it has ‘world-renowned architecture’
Hanko (pictured) is a seaside town on Finland’s southern coast, and ‘the sunniest place’ in the country, according to Visit Hanko. The tourism board adds: ‘In the cliff labyrinths you are bound to find a quiet nook for yourself, your blanket, and your book’
Lapland (pictured) isn’t just a popular winter destination because of its snow. It also has some of the ‘world’s purest air, water, and arctic nature as far as the eye can see,’ says Visit Finland. The tourism board adds: ‘Nothing compares to going outside into unspoiled nature and filling your lungs with fresh, clean air’
Pictured is Olavinlinna Castle, in Savonlinna. Also known as Olaf’s Castle, the fortress was built in the 1400s, and designed as a defence against attacks from Russia. Visit Savonlinna explains: ‘The history of Olavinlinna Castle is a mixture of power struggles between the east and the west, medieval arms clashing, cannons roaring and everyday day chores inside the castle’s thick walls’
Pictured is Yyteri beach, in Pori, which, Visit Finland claims, is ‘Finland’s most legendary beach’, measuring 3 km/1.86 miles long. The tourism board adds: ‘Talk of paradise is not exaggerated. Yyteri’s shallow beach water is excellent for everyone, starting from the smallest of the family’
Porvoo (pictured) is one of Finland’s best-known historic towns. Lonely Planet says: ‘Old Porvoo is worthy of a Hans Christian Anderson fairy-tale, especially when dusted with snow. Wander the cobbled streets to the maroon riverside warehouses, first given a lick of red paint to celebrate an 18th-century Swedish king’s visit’
This breathtaking image is of the Aland Islands, a Finland archipelago in the Baltic Sea made up of 6,700 islands – although only about 60 of these are inhabited. Visit Aland says: ‘Aland is surrounded by sea in all directions. Here you’ll find a fantastic outdoor life with fresh sea air and a countless number of activities’
Pictured is Oulanka National Park, in the Northern Ostrobothnia and Lapland regions of Finland, on the border with Russia. Lonely Planet describes the park as an ‘outdoors paradise’ thanks to its ‘27,000 hectares of pristine boreal forest made up of pine, birch and spruce’
The sun sets over Suomenlinna fort, spread across several islands off the coast of Helsinki, in this beautiful photo. The UNESCO World Heritage site has become known as the ‘Fortress of Finland’ due to the fact it’s only accessible by water, and has a museum explaining its history, as well as a restaurant and cafe. Visit Finland describes it as a ‘great place to visit all year round’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .