HEL'SINGFORS, a fortified seaport of Russia, capital of the government of Finland, and after Cronstadt, the most important naval station on the Baltic, is beautifully situ ated on a peninsula, surrounded by islands and rocky cliffs, in the gulf of 191 m. w. from St. Petersburg by sea. A series of formidable batteries, called the fortifica tions of Sveaborg, and consisting of seven strongly fortified islands and numerous islets, protect the entrance to the harbor, and are of such strength, and so well appointed, as to warrant the application to them of the name of the northern Gibraltar. The whole front presented by the successive works is about a mile in length, and, besides the ease mates for small arms, the united fortresses mount about 1000 guns, and are garrisoned .
by 12,000 men. The harbor itself is further defended by two forts. Helsingfors the largest and handsomest town of Finland; the broad streets, consisting of houses painted externally yellow and green, intersect at right angles, and there are several fine public .squares. Of the public buildings, the most striking are the residence pf the house, and the university buildings. The university, removed hillier from
Abo in 1829, where it had been founded in 1640, comprises four faculties, has 40 pro fessors, and generally about 700 students. In connection with it are a library of 150,000 volumes, a hospital, a botanic garden, and a valuable observatory. Since 1840 Hel singfors has been a favorite bathing-place, and attracts many visitors during summer from St. Petersburg. The town carries on a considerable trade in Baltic produce; it exports chiefly corn, fish, deals, and iron; and manufactures sailcloth and linen. Pop. '70, 32,113, including the garrison.
Helsingfors was founded by Gustavus I. of Sweden in the 16th c., but the site of the town was removed nearer the shore in 1639. In 1819 it became the capital of Finland. During the late Russian war, Sveaborg was bombarded for two days and nights (Aug. 9 and 10, 1855) by a section of the allied fleet, without any material impression being made upon the forts.