Helsinki, capital of Finland and "Daughter of the Baltic," was founded in 1550 and became the capital in 1812. A harmony of seaside light, bold Nordic design, and quiet, tree‑lined boulevards unfolds into a capital that feels at once effortlessly modern and deeply poetic. The city is beautifully set on a peninsula surrounded by islands and is protected by fortifications at Suomenlinna. A modern, lively city of approximately a half million inhabitants, Helsinki's attractions include the harbor, market square and many spacious parks. The Empire Center is one of Europe's finest examples of neoclassical architecture.