794 



FINLAND. 



2. JMountains, Rivers, and Lakes. A tract of table-land in the interior, extends in a de- 

 clivity toward the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia. There are other ranges in the eastern parts, 

 but they have not been explored. The country is intersected by an immense number of lakes, 

 giving rise to many rivers, but none of them are of great length, and the shallows, and cata- 

 racts which they contain, render them useless for navigation. The PayancB, or Peaceable lake, 

 in the central part of the country, is 170 m.,ei long, and 13 broad. The lake of Saimer, in 

 the eastern part, is 250 miles long, and 22 broad, and is crowded with islands. It communi- 

 cates wirh lake Ladoga, by the river Woxa, which falls over 6 cataracts. The coasts are 

 rocky, and strewn with small islands, separated by narrow and intricate channels. 



3. Climate. In the north, the climate resembles that of Lapland. In the south the ther- 

 mometer seldom falls so low as 25° below zero ; and the crops are exposed in summer to ex- 

 cessive droughts. 



4. Soil and Productions. The soli is more productive than might be inferred from the ge- 

 ographical position of the country. It is for the most part a vegetable mould, and exceedingly 

 moist. Forests, similar to those of Sweden and Lapland, are abundant. Iron was formerly 

 produced here, but no mines are worked at present. The country furnishes great quantities of 

 nitre. 



5. Face of the Country. The northern part is hilly. The eastern part is covered with 

 sand-hills and rocks, and intersected by marshes, lakes, and rivers, which diffuse cold and un- 

 wholesome mists. 



6. Divisions and Towns. Finland is divided into 7 circles. Viborg, Kymenegard, Ta- 

 vastehuus, Abo, Kuopio, Vasa, and Uleaborg. Helsingfors, the capital, is situated on the 

 Gulf of Finland, and has a good harbor, and considerable commerce. The university has 

 been removed to this place from Abo, since the destruction of the latter place by fire. Popu- 

 lation, 8,000. Helslngfors contains a naval arsenal, but is chiefly important from the vicinity 

 of Sweaborg, the Northern Gibraltar. The fortress consists of 3 islands, connected by bridges, 

 mounts SOO cannon, and has accommodations for 12,000 men. 



^bo, at the entrance of the Gulf of Bothnia, was formerly the capital. It was one of the 

 most agreeable towns in the country, and had manufactures of silk and woolen, ship-building, 

 and sugar refineries, with a population of 12,000 ; but it was almost totally destroyed by fire, in 

 1827. Siborg was the capital of the former Russian Finland, and of all western Russia, till 

 the building of St. Petersburg. 



7. Inhabitants. The Finlanders are of small stature, light complexions, and fair hair, worn 



Finlander's House. 



uncombed down each side of the face ; they are sharp featured, and generally without any ap 

 parent beard. The appearance of one differs little from that of another. They wear woolen 

 kaftans, short to the knee, with loose black pantaloons and caps. The women wear a linen 

 robe over their clothes. 



The houses of the peasants are well built and comfortable. The general food is milk, salt 

 herring, and salt meat. The Finlanders are cheerful, kind, and very hospitable. A stranger 

 receives much attention. He is always the principal person in a company, and much pains are 



