Helsingfors, a fortified seaport, capital of the grand-duchy of Finland, and after Cronstadt the most important naval station on the Baltic, is beautifully situated on a peninsula, surrounded by islands and rocky cliffs, in the Gulf of Finland, 191 miles W. from St Petersburg by sea and 256 by rail. A series of formidable batteries, called the fortifications of Sveåborg, and consisting of seven strongly-fortified islands and numerous islets belonging to Russia, protect the entrance to the harbour, and are of such strength, and so well appointed, as to warrant the application to them of the name of the Northern Gibraltar. The whole front presented by the successive works is more than a mile in length, and besides the casemates for small-arms, the united fortresses mount about 300 guns or mortars, and are garrisoned by 12,000 men in war-time, there being only about 2000 men in time of peace. The harbour itself is further defended by two forts. Helsingfors is the largest and handsomest town of Finland; the broad streets intersect at right angles, and there are several fine parks and public squares. Of the public buildings the most striking are the house in which the diet meets, the senate-house, and the university buildings. There are also three very handsome churches. The university, removed hither from Abo in 1828, where it had been founded in 1640, comprises four faculties, and in 1888 had 45 professors, and 1703 students inscribed on the lists, of whom 12 were ladies, but of whom only 1002 were actually in residence. In connection with it are a library of 200,000 volumes, a hospital, a botanic garden, and a valuable observatory. Helsingfors is a favourite bathing-place, and attracts many visitors during summer from St Petersburg. The town carries on a considerable trade in Baltic produce; it exports chiefly timber, paper, and butter, and imports iron and steel goods, with machinery, fancy articles, colonial wares, &c. Pop. (1870) 32,113; (1889) 64,817; (1895) 73,820, with the garrison.
Helsingfors was founded by Gustavus I. of Sweden in the 16th century, but the site of the town was removed nearer the shore in 1639. In 1819 it became the capital of Finland. In August 1855, during the Crimean war, Sveåborg was bombarded for two days and nights by a section of the allied fleet, without any material impression being made upon the forts. Helsingfors has still many Swedish characteristics, the majority of the population being of Scandinavian origin, hence Swedish is the tongue generally spoken. The Finnish language, however, is beginning to assert itself.