Saimaa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Saimaa | |
|---|---|
 as seen from Joutseno |
|
| Location | southeastern Finland |
| Coordinates | |
| Primary outflows | Vuoksi River, Saimaa Canal |
| Surface area | 4,400 km² total (1,377 km² largest basin) |
| Water volume | 36 km³ |
| Surface elevation | 82 m |
| Settlements | Lappeenranta, Imatra, Savonlinna, Mikkeli |
Saimaa, or Saimen in Swedish, is a lake in southeastern Finland. At approximately 4,400 km² square km, it is the largest lake in Finland, and the fifth largest in Europe. Major towns on the lakeshore include Lappeenranta, Imatra, Savonlinna and Mikkeli. The Vuoksi River flows from Saimaa to Lake Ladoga. Most of the lake is spotted with islands, and narrow canals divide the lake in many parts, each having their own names in finnish, such as Orivesi, Puruvesi, Haukivesi, Yövesi or Pihlajavesi.
The Saimaa Canal from Lappeenranta to Vyborg binds Saimaa to the Gulf of Finland. Other canals bind Saimaa to smaller lakes in Eastern Finland and form a network of waterways. These waterways are mainly used to transport wood, minerals, metals, pulp and other cargo, but also tourists use the waterways.
One of the two fresh water seal species, the Saimaa Ringed Seal lives in Saimaa.
