KEY FACTS

The VisitSaimaa region constitutes the Region of South Savo, an area roughly the same size as Belgium with a local population of approximately 160,000. The region's largest urban centres are Mikkeli and Savonlinna, while around half of residents live in smaller municipalities and the countryside. South Savo has the highest concentration of lakes and forest of all the regions in Finland, including 7000 freshwater lakes, countless smaller bodies of water, and around 5000 kilometres of rivers and streams.

The VisitSaimaa region is dominated by Saimaa, the largest lake district in Europe. Saimaa covers an area of 4400 square kilometres and has 14,850 kilometres of shoreline and over 13,700 islands. Saimaa is divided into several large waterways that follow the ridgelines, and there are two national parks in Lake Saimaa itself: Linnansaari and Kolovesi. The unique nature combined with local events and attractions make Saimaa and South Savo a popular travel destination.

For more information about the Region of South Savo, see: http://www.esavo.fi/region