2 — introducing Helsinki 2. General introduction to the city: a. Provide a general overview of the city. this can include, but need not be limited to: geographic orientation, city layout, infrastructure, unique character, and lifestyle aspects. FACtOiDs: Geography: 61°n, 25°E one of the world’s northernmost capitals (after reykjavik & nuuk) Climate: actually not as bad as you might imagine... Apparently, the Caribbean Gulf stream is what makes Helsinki’s weather as mild as it is. this past winter has been hovering around -1°C most of the time, but it does get down to -27°C too. summers: wonderful—not too hot, usually around 18-22°C, and plenty of sunlight. tHOuGHts: Challenges of a tough climate have contributed to very efficient public infrastructure (public transport, for instance, has won international acclaim) and energy-efficient practices. With plenty of forested areas, plus all the islands off the south coast, locals also draw a lot of inspiration & identity from the natural world. Clean air & clean water! simplicity with a twist is big—in architecture, in food. b. What is the population of the city? Helsinki: . . . . . . . . . . Espoo: . . . . . . . . . . . . kauniainen: . . . . . . . . Lahti: . . . . . . . . . . . . . vantaa: . . . . . . . . . . . 575,000 242,000 9,000 100,000 195,000 Helsinki region total 1,121,000 (out of Finland’s total of 5,328,000) c. What is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the city? Eur 56 billion (33% of the total for Finland) Open Helsinki — Embedding Design in Life World Design Capital 2012 Application