Eastern Finland
Eastern Finland is one of the six provinces in the country. It lies in the south-east and is surrounded by Russia to the east, Southern Finland, Western Finland and Oulu. The landscape, as everywhere else in the country, is absolutely flat. This is the province with the most lakes and a very large percentage of its territory is covered with water. The abundance of lakes, rivers, creeks, canals and all types of artificial waterways determines to a large extent the local way of life. Many customs and traditions are connected to water, and tourism is also focused on this natural treasure, with plenty of outdoor activities offered throughout the year. The turbulent past of the region have affected the local culture greatly, leading to a unique, obscure charm. The capital, Mikkeli, is one of the leading holiday destinations in the country with its location on the shores of Lake Saimaa. Kuopio is the biggest city in the province, famous for its respected universities and ultra-modern technology centre.