Cities Around the World

Exploring Helsinki and Melbourne


Helsinki, Finland
Geographic Information about Helsinki


1. City - Helsinki
2. Country - Finland
3. Continent - Europe
4. Population - 546,317
5. Description - Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. Helsinki Harbor is located on a small peninsula that extends into the Gulf of Finland and is protected by the island fortress of Suomenlinna. The harbor is blocked by ice from January until May. Productive forest land is the most valuable natural resource in Finland covering more than 66% of the land. Light snow covers the ground for five months in the south along the coastal regions and seven months or longer in the mountains of the north. Nearly one third of the country lies north of the Arctic Circle.

Interesting Facts
Helsinki is the political, commercial, and cultural center of Finland. Helsinki was founded in 1550 by Gustav Vasa of Sweden and has been controlled by many countries since. Visit this site for the history of Helsinki. The eleventh president of Finland is a woman named Tarja Halonen. She was elected in February 2000. To learn more about the government of Finland, visit the President's web site. 
Helsinki has much to offer in the way of education. The International School of Helsinki has students from 40 nationalities. Students in Finland are required to learn more than one language, usually English. How important is education to the people of Helsinki?
The city of Helsinki is home to 11 museums. The most famous museum is the Finnish National Gallery. This gallery is home to three separate museums. Take a virtual tour of Finland and listen to the music played on the official instrument of Finland, the kantele. 

 
 
 
Melbourne, Australia
Geographic Information about Melbourne


1. City - Melbourne
2. Country - Australia
3. Continent - Australia
4. Population - 3,371,300
5. Description - Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria. It is the second most populated city after Sidney. The city covers more than 2300 square miles. It is located on the Yarra River. The hottest months are January & February, but the sea breezes from Port Phillip Bay help hold the average temperature to 80 degrees. The winters are also mild.
Interesting Facts
What is Bunjilaka?  The answer can be found at the Aboriginal Centre located in the Melbourne Museum. This site is loaded with the history of Melbourne and Australia. Be sure to visit the many exhibitions and the Children's Museum.
The Melbourne Zoo is home to the infamous egg laying mammal, the duck billed platypus. This strange looking animal has a bill, feet that resemble those of a duck, and the tail of a beaver. This web site is loaded with other animals and flora native to Australia. 
Did you know that the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne are home to the real Fern Gully? Visit this site and view the unique and magnificent flowers and trees of Australia. See pictures of a lush subtropics rain forest.