Tampere is the third largest city in Finland and the largest inland centre in the Nordic countries. Currently there are over 200,000 inhabitants in Tampere, and almost 300,000 inhabitants in Tampere Sub-Region, which comprises Tampere and its neighbouring municipalities.
Tampere’s population density is 390 per square kilometre. Tampere is one of the three most rapidly developing regions in Finland.
In 2004, the City of Tampere came first in an image survey comparing the largest cities in Finland. It was also the most attractive city among Finns who plan on moving.
Tampere’s city centre is surrounded by lake and ridge scenery, sited on an isthmus between lakes Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi. The Tammerkoski rapids run through the city.
Pyynikki, which was formed by the action of ice and sea more than 10,000 years ago, is the world’s highest gravel ridge. At its highest it rises 80 metres above Lake Pyhäjärvi and 160 metres above sea level.
There are 200 lakes and ponds in Tampere, and a total of 450 in the entire region.
24 per cent of Tampere’s surface area is water and 76 per cent land. 18.5 per cent of the land has a town plan.
There are numerous nature reserves in Tampere. Pyynikki and Viikinsaari near the city centre are the best known of them.
Parks and green areas amount to 2,400 hectares, approximately 100 square metres per inhabitant. The city also has four allotment areas. The Hatanpää allotment, established in 1916, was among the first in Finland.
