L for lakes

Finland has more lakes than any other country in Europe, with some 180,000 lakes covering 10% of the land – and as much as a fifth of the Lakeland region of Eastern Finland.

Our largest lakes are Saimaa, Inari and Päijänne, but beautiful expanses of forest-fringed water are found across the country.

These waters are vital for livelihoods such as fishing and water transportation businesses, as well as for popular leisure activities. As many as two million people visit more than 400,000 holiday homes around Finland each summer – and most of these cabins and cottages lie along lakeshores.