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Lahti is a young city of entrepreneurship. Rapid industrialisation began in the 1870s in the wake of rail connections, the Vääksy waterway and a lake harbour. The medieval church of Hollola bears witness to the long history of a large parish here, but there were settlements in the area at least 9000 years ago, as people took advantage of waterway routes and Salpausselkä ridge.
Nowadays, the location of Lahti is logistically advantageous. 1.5 million people live within 100 km of the city, the Helsinki-St. Petersburg railway passes through the centre and the new motorway link to Helsinki makes Lahti easy to reach.
Lahti is both an environmentally clean city and one of environmental know-how. It is also internationally famous for its winter games and large ski jumps.There is a thriving cultural life too.
The private business sector has always played an important part in the economy of Lahti, with the public sector contributing a remarkably small percentage of jobs in the city. Small and medium-sized enterprises make up the largest percentage of businesses, and 15% of the workforce are entrepreneurs. The recession in the early 1990s had a considerable impact on the traditional industries of Lahti, and even today unemployment remains high.
Lahti has long industrial traditions, particularly in the field of carpentry. In addition, furniture and other wood-related industry and plastics knowhow, environmental technology and design besides successful mechatronic industry are considered as potential future opportunities for the region. Flexible subcontracting is an important resource of the Lahti business sector. An international logistic centre is developing in Lahti due to its good logistic opportunities as a gateway to Russia. Most new jobs are in service sector.
A varied selection of green environments including unpolluted forests and lakes provide good opportunities for tourism. Moreover, congresses and mass events are two developing branches of tourism in Lahti.
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The Lahti Region Educational Consortium includes the Lahti Polytechnic, several colleges and vocational institutes and provides education for about 10 000 fulltime students. Units of Helsinki University and other universities of technology besides Päijät-Häme Summer University provide tertiary level studies in Lahti. In addition to these there are numerous other educational institutions.
The Art and Design School for Children and Young People, The Institute of Design, The Institute of Fine Arts and International Institute of Applied Aesthetics form a complex of visual education. Primary and secondary school music classes, Lahti Music School and Päijät-Häme Conservatory give education in the field of music.
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Lahti Symphony Orchestra has become internationally famous for its interpretations of Sibelius music. Sibelius Hall, the new wooden congress and concert centre by the lake shore opened in March 2000.
Lahti City Theatre has specialized in music drama. Anna Karenina, a grand musical based on Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece, had world premiére in September 2000.
The Radio and TV Museum, Skiing Museum and Poster Museum are some of the numerous museums in Lahti. Lahti as A Radio City.
Many regular culture events take place in the Lahti region, for example the Lahti Jazz Festival, Lahti International Organ Festival, Lahti International Writers Reunion, Poster Exhibition and the Pyhäniemi Summer Art Exhibition.
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The population of the Lahti region doubled and the population of the city of Lahti tripled during the years 1940-1975. Since then the number of inhabitants of Lahti city has continued to increase although the population of the city region has remained stable.
Households are relatively small. More than 70% of them consist of only one or two members. This is reflected in the large number of small apartments.
The city structure in Lahti is compact. Many people live in the city centre. 72% of dwellings in Lahti city are flats. One-family houses are mainly in the suburbs and neighbouring municipalities.
The housing stock is typically new and well equipped. About 75% of dwellings in Lahti city were built after 1960 and only 5% before 1940.
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Various forest trails and swimming beaches along with several sport centres and sports training institutes, such as the Lahti Sport Centre, Messilä Skiing Centre and Pajulahti Sport Centre, are available in the Lahti region.
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Lahti's population has climbed from around 3000 in the 1900s to over 96 000 today, making it the seventh largest city in Finland. Lahti is a nice place to live, study, work or do business.
Lahti is located in the Southern Finland, 100 kilometers from Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Thanks to good connections via airplane, busses and trains Lahti is very easy to reach. Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport is within an hours drive from Lahti.
Lahti has a diversified industrial structure. The city is still the center of Finnish furniture industry, when at the same time the service sector and high technology companies are increasing their importance. Industry and construction employ about 35 % and services 64 % of the working population of 42 000. Design, quality and environmental technology are the main sectors developed and invested in.
Our city is the home of Lahti Polytechnic, one of the most respected and qualified polytechnics in Finland. Many of other educational institutions have their affiliates in Lahti, like the Helsinki University of Technology and the University of Helsinki.
Lahti offers events all around the year. In 2001 Lahti will host the Nordic World Ski Championships for the sixth time. Every year the Lahti Ski Games gather the best Nordic ski athletes and ten thousands of spectators to the Salpausselkä ridge. Possibilities for exercising and recreation are outstanding throughout the year.
The Sibelius Hall, a congress and concert centre, and numerous other facilities offer a wide range of cultural events. Sinfonia Lahti, the city orchestra, is internationally respected and presents musical masterpieces. The new harbour area with pleasant parks has become the living room of all citizens.
Above all, Lahti is known for its recreation possibilities, excellent location, marvelous nature and friendly people.
We welcome you to this dynamic city and do our best that you enjoy your stay in Lahti.
Mr Tarmo Pipatti
Mayor
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