Lahti is a Finnish city of 98,253 inhabitants (2003), bordering the Vesijärvi lake. It became a city in 1905. Originally a part of Hollola, it has since grown considerably larger than its current neighbor. The symbol of the city is a burning train wheel. The terrain is unusually hilly, the city being situated on a series of ridges created in the last glacial period.

Lahti is best known for its annually held winter games called "Salpausselän kisat". The city endeavours for achievements in sport, which has led to such things as the hosting of a World Games event. The city also has an Association Football (soccer) club, FC Lahti , and a rather poor ice hockey team, the Lahti Pelicans .

It is also a significant railroad crossroad and the site of two enormous radio masts, which once were used for the longwave transmitter of the Finnish broadcasting company. Nowadays the former transmitter building holds a museum. Lahti also harbours cultural ambitions, and recent years saw the building of a large congress & concert center, the Sibelius Hall . This has sparked much controversy amongst the population, many of whom feel that the money used for these purposes would be better spent in health care and education.

Lahti has a lot to offer in the education sector. It has several vocational schools and a polytechnic with numerous schooling branches.

Status and Area

• Town status granted 1905
• Province South Finland
• Region Päijät-Häme (Lahti Region)
• Administrative status Regional capital
• Population of municipality ca. 156 000
• Population of region served ca. 222 000

• AREA
  • Total surface area 154.5 km²
  • Land surface area 134.9 km²
  • Water area 19.6 km²
  • Area included in town plan 64.3 km²
  • Population density /km² land 728

• DISTANCE BY ROAD (km)
  • Helsinki 104
  • Helsinki-Vantaa Airport 99
  • Tampere 126
  • Turku 213
  • Jyväskylä 167
  • Lappeenranta 148
  • Kouvola 62
  • Hämeenlinna 73
  • Oulu 505

Other meanings

• Aimo Johannes Lahti (1896-1970) was a famous Finnish weapon designer.
• Christine Lahti is an American actress.