FINLAND ~ Helsinki ~

...  Beautiful view of a city located on a peninsula on the shore of the Gulf of Finland surrounded by islands (the Helsinki Archipelago consists of over 300 islands)... with the Helsinki Cathedral very likely Finland’s most famous and photographed building... the cathedral's central dome, rising 80 meters above the ground and  is a prominent feature of the Helsinki skyline... it is a global design capital and  known worldwide for its natural beauty... considered as one of the world’s most livable cities... Finland has once again been named the world’s happiest country in the 2024 World Happiness Report... Thanks once more dear Gian Luca and Rafaella for thinking of me while on vacation!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Founded in 1550 by the King of Sweden, Helsinki was established to rival the bustling trading port of Tallin (which was part of the Hanseatic League, an alliance of merchant guilds and trading ports). The city didn’t take off as expected, a problem compounded by the devastating plague of 1710, which killed much of the city’s residents. It wasn’t until the Russians annexed the region in the 19th century that it started to develop and grow into the city it is today.

Stamp:

Rati Riti Ralla 

(Issued 07-11-2018