Location

The conference will take place in Hämeenlinna, Finland. The following paragraphs are intended to give you a concise but wholesome image of the country, city and its people.

Finland

Finland (Suomi in Finnish) is a republic and it became a member of the European Union in 1995. The population of the country is about 5.2 million and the capital, Helsinki, has 560.000 residents. Finland is an advanced industrial economy and the metal, engineering and electronics industries account for 50 % of the export revenue and the forect industry for 30 %. Finland is also one of the leading countries in Internet coverage and there are more mobile phones in use than conventional fixed phones.

Forests cover 3/4 of the surface area of Finland, which is 338.000 sw. km. Finland is also a land of thousands of about 190.000 lakes and about as many islands. The principal archipelago anf the self-governing province of Å Islands lie off the south-west coast while the main lake district is centred on the Lake Saimaa in the east of the country.

For more information, please visit Finland in Brief.

City of Hämeenlinna

FACTS ABOUT HÄMEENLINNA

The City of Hämeenlinna was founded in 1639.

Population in 2004: 46.914, pop. density 273 per km2.

Total area: 185km2, of which 19km2 are lakes.

Distances: Helsinki 100km, Tampere 80km, Lahti 80km, Turku 140km.

Hämeenlinna is the administrative centre of the province of Southern Finland, a traditional and vibrant educational and cultural town at the junction of nationally important rail, road and waterway networks. Hämeenlinna presents an ideal combination of nature and culture. Hämeenlinna has been a city for 365 years and it is full of historical sights and beautiful nature reserves. The main landmark is the mediaeval red brick castle, while other sights include the Aulanko Park and the birth home of the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius.

Today, Hämeenlinna enjoys a vibrant commercial and artistic life. Amongst its best-known outputs are beautiful and valuable design products. A stroll down the Linnankatu, sampling the city's sights, restaurants and boutiques, will give the visitor a good first taste of this historical city.

For more information, please visit www.hameenlinna.fi and About Hämeenlinna.

Aulanko

Hämeenlinna also offers an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. Only about an hour's drive from the major cities of southern Finland, you will find Aulanko, the Central Park of Finland.

Aulanko offers versatile leisure activities and modern services for you to enjoy. The unique park area, with the glittering waters of Lake Vanajavesi and the backdrop of wild woods, has attracted visitors for several generations.

The development of Aulanko from Colonel Hugo Standertsjöld's summer manor into a national central park is a unique story, best told on the spot.

For more information, please visit www.hameenlinna.fi.