Helsinki lies on the Gulf of Finland and is the capital of Finland, the city is also the largest port in the country. Helsinki is surrounded by sea on three sides and this unique location is definitely reflected in the port nature of the city. Helsinki was the center of trade, the scene of numerous clashes, including a civil war and it also belonged to Russia for some time, which is visible in the characteristic architecture of the city, harking back to St. Petersburg in terms of style. Helsinki occupies not only the area on the mainland, but also the areas of the nearby skerry islands. Thanks to bright classical facades of the representative buildings Helsinki has been known as "the white city of the North".