Why is the Saimaa lake in Eastern Finland so unique

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September 2022

Saimaa is a beautiful, mysterious lake formed by glacial melting. It is the largest lake in Finland and 4th largest lake in Europe. Saimaa is a mosaic of water and thousands of islands which makes it the lake to have the longest shoreline per unit area in the world. The lake is very old and holds the secrets of ancient times. 




Surface area: 4 400 km2

Shore length: 14 850 km

Number of islands: 13 710

Surface elevation (above sea level): 76 m

Status: Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark

The birth of Saimaa

Once upon a time, around 1 900 million years ago, Saimaa bedrocks started to form an ancient sea. Types of rocks in Saimaa landscape are granite, granodiorite, tonalite mica gneiss, veined gneiss and metamorphic volcanic rock types. At the end of the Ice Age, around 11 000 years ago, the Saimaa lake began to form by thawing of the ice sheet. Around 9 500 years ago Saimaa was isolated from the Baltic sea. Saimaa lake has been changing its area, reshaping bedrocks, shorelines and islands during the ages. These processes have been caused by an uplift of the land which was previously pushed down by the ice sheet. Moreover, the uplift and tilting of the land were uneven, and the runoff of the lake changed direction approximately 6 000 years ago.

The process of forming Saimaa with all the islands, shores and bedrocks has been long and it is not over yet as the land is still slowly elevating.

The unique geological story of the birth of Saimaa achieves global importance, thus the lake got the status of Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark.





Prehistoric rock paintings

Another pinch of mystery of the lake is given by marks of the prehistoric civilization. There are Astuvansalmi rock paintings (in Ristiina, Mikkeli), the oldest ones are estimated to be less than 5 700 years old. Around 80 pictures were found. Common motifs are human figure, boats, moose, fish, lines, hand and paw prints.

Legend about the Saimaa creature

There is a story of Saimaa creature which looks like a gigantic snail. It has been said to children that the snail will drown those who will swim into deep waters. The average depth of the Saimaa lake is only 17 m, but the maximum depth is ca. 85 m. So, who knows what can hide on the bottom of the old lake.  




Places to visit by the Saimaa lake

By the Saimaa lake, there are several towns, namely Lappeenranta, Imatra, Savonlinna, Mikkeli, Varkaus, and Joensuu. Savonlinna is a historical town with beautiful castle Olavinlinna and cosy surroundings. At the castle is every year held Savonlinna Opera Festival.


Olavinlinna 

Nearby Savonlinna, there is Punkaharju esker ridge which was formed around 11 000 years ago. Punkaharju is one of the world oldest nature reserves. Moreover, it is Finnish national landscape. The Punkaharju ridge offers beautiful views on Saimaa lake through tall pines.


Punkaharju 


Different atmospheres on Saimaa

Saimaa is beautiful in rain, fog, sun, day and night. The sky is always mirroring in the water surface and create overwhelming sceneries.


There are many animals and plants living and growing at Saimaa lake:




References:

  • FROM ANCIENT SEA TO SAIMAA, A geological guide to southern lake Saimaa (www.saimaageopark.fi ), ISBN 978-952-68862-1-3 (PDF)
  • Riihisaari - Savonlinna Museum and Saimaa Nature Centre

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