Editing Espoo (section)

==Geography==
===General===
[[File:Subdivisions of Espoo-fi.svg|thumb|left|upright|The districts and major areas of Espoo]]
[[File:Kyto linjataulut.jpg|thumb|right|The bare cliffs on the islands of the outer archipelago change into forested islands closer to the shore. This picture shows the former fortification island of [[Kytö]].]]
[[File:Kasavuori 19.7.2019.jpg|thumb|right|A landscape view from the Kasavuori hill in Soukka]]
[[File:Nuuksio peat accumulations.jpg|thumb|right|The Nuuksio national park]]
Espoo has an area of {{convert|528|km2|1}}—{{convert|312|km2|1}} (59%) of land and {{convert|216|km2|1}} (41%) of water. Sea water makes up 37% of the total area of Espoo and inland water makes up a bit over 3%.<ref name="info"/> To the north of the lush river areas and the fields in central Espoo, the archipelagal and coastal zone in southern Espoo changes into lake-filled and rocky terrain. At some places the lake areas in northern Espoo resemble the [[Finnish Lakeland]]. The largest part of the lake ridge in Nuuksio is located in Espoo, but a part of it is located in neighbouring [[Vihti]].<ref name="paikkala">Paikkala, Sirkka (ed.): ''Järvi-Espoo: vesistönimet, luontoa, historiaa ja tulevaisuutta.'' Nomenclature unit of the urban planning bureau of Espoo 1992. {{ISBN?}}</ref>{{rp|5}} The largest lakes in Uusimaa, [[Lohjanjärvi]] and [[Hiidenvesi]], are located west of the ridge.

The highest point in Espoo is Velskola at 114.2 m above sea level, and the lowest point is at sea level. Espoo is a part of the [[Helsinki capital region]] and is contiguously bordered by the cities, towns and municipalities of [[Kirkkonummi]], [[Vihti]], [[Nurmijärvi]], [[Vantaa]], [[Kauniainen]] and [[Helsinki]].

For a city of its size, Espoo is home to exceptionally large natural areas. The southern part of the city is characterized by maritime environment, including a varied coastline and an archipelago consisting of 165 islands.<ref name="Espoo-tarina">{{cite magazine |date= 11 September 2017 |title= Espoo-tarina |url= https://www.espoo.fi/fi-fi/espoon_kaupunki/paatoksenteko/espootarina |language= Finnish |magazine=  |location= Espoo |publisher= City of Espoo |page= 2 |access-date= 2 April 2021 |archive-date= 16 April 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210416212017/https://www.espoo.fi/fi-fi/espoon_kaupunki/paatoksenteko/espootarina |url-status= dead }}</ref>

=== Bedrock ===
The minerals and structures of the rocky and hilly topography of Espoo were formed about 1880 to 1650 million years ago. Particularly the [[Weichselian glaciation]] has had an effect on the current environment – the continental ice sheet withdrew from what is now Espoo about 13 thousand years ago. The first areas to surface from underneath the sea were the high hills in northern Espoo, such as Mustankorvenkallio.<ref name="kohteet">[http://docplayer.fi/512129-Espoon-arvokkaat-geologiset-kohteet-2006.html ESPOON ARVOKKAAT GEOLOGISET KOHTEET 2006], environmental centre of Espoo. Accessed on 9 November 2017.</ref>{{rp|11}} The numerous smooth cliffs on the seashore and in the archipelago were caused by wear by the continental ice sheet; there are grooves on their surfaces, indicating the direction of the flow of the ice sheet. Icebergs split off from the ice sheet have transported [[glacial erratic]]s,<ref name="kallioperä">[https://web.archive.org/web/20171005140442/http://www.espoo.fi/download/noname/%7B2B0BBBE3-EB71-4278-B7AA-63F450E6D262%7D/78907 Espoon kallioperän synty], environmental centre of Espoo. Accessed on 5 November 2017.</ref> including those in Kunnarla, Soukka and Suomenoja.

Main rock types in the Espoo bedrock include [[gneiss]], [[migmatite]], [[granite]], [[gabbro]], [[amphibolite]] and [[mica schist]]. Rare [[orbicular granite]] can be found in Nuuksio, the deposit is internationally valuable.<ref name="kohteet"/> At many places there are thick layers of [[clay]] on top of the bedrock, and fields were plowed onto clay-covered valleys. The thickness of the clay layers was mainly formed in the [[Baltic Ice Lake]] and the [[Yoldia Sea]].<ref name="kohteet"/>{{rp|12}} The effect of the bedrock on the traditional Espoo natural landscape was significant; high and steep cliffs stand up from shallowly waving fields. The oblong lakes in northern Espoo are located in valleys in the bedrock. The formation of the bedrock has determined the shapes of the coastline, such as Espoonlahti and Laajalahti. Because of upthrust, paludification of forests and overgrowth of lakes, [[bog]]s and layers of [[peat]] have formed on top of the clay at some places.<ref name="kallioperä"/>

=== Sea area ===
The sea area of Espoo is a considerably narrow strip between the sea areas of [[Helsinki]] and [[Kirkkonummi]].<ref name="selvitys">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160418012503/http://uudenmaanliitto.fi/files/15235/Uudenmaan_meri-_ja_rannikkoalueselvitys_E142-2014.pdf UUDENMAAN MERI- JA RANNIKKOALUESELVITYS], Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council. Accessed on 5 November 2017.</ref>{{rp|26}} The depth of the southern part of the sea area, in the outer archipelago, is a few dozen metres at the most. The ship route between Helsinki and [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]] goes through the outermost parts of the sea area which contains small treeless, sea-washed [[islet]]s. One of them is the former fortification island of [[Kytö]]. The smallest islands are shallow islets, such as [[Stenskär]]. They are significant nesting grounds for birds and many of them are nature-protected areas. In summertime there might be flowering meadow patches on the islands. The islands closest to the Espoo shoreline include [[Stora Herrö]], [[Pentala]], [[Kopplorna]] and [[Lehtisaaret]]. The islands host many vacation buildings, and they are often referred to as an intermediary archipelago.<ref name="selvitys"/>{{rp|20}}

The islands in the inner archipelago are larger and lusher and contain boat harbours and buildings, as well as permanent settlements on the islands closest to the shore. There is a land connection from the mainland to the inhabited islands in [[Suvisaaristo]] and it forms a district of its own, with a more rural image than most of Espoo.

The sea area extends inland at many places as bays, of which the largest are Espoonlahti in the west and Laajalahti in the east. Bays on the shoreline between them include Nuottalahti, Haukilahti and Otsolahti. The bays are shallow and contain many islands, particularly in Espoonlahti. Most of the islands in Laajalahti are located across the municipal border in Helsinki. The largest peninsula in Espoo is [[Soukka]], fracturing into an archipelago in the south. Thus the peninsula hardly offers any views to the open sea. The nearest ship harbours are located in Helsinki, while the Espoo shoreline contains many small boat harbours, the largest being the boat harbour in [[Suomenoja]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181202024624/https://www.espoo.fi/fi-FI/Kulttuuri_ja_liikunta/Ulkoilu/Veneily/Venesatamat Venesatamat], city of Espoo. Accessed on 15 March 2019.</ref> The maritime traffic in front of Espoo mainly consists of motor boats of various sizes, water scooters and ferries handling traffic in the archipelago.

In terms of natural geography, the coastal waters of Espoo are divided into four different sea areas, consisting counting from the west of Espoonlahti, Suvisaaristo-Lauttasaari and Seurasaari. The fourth sea area is Helsinki-Porkkala to the south of the other three. The surface area of the Espoonlahti sea area is 19.2 square kilometres. The Espoonlahti nature preserve area is located in its northern part. The western part of the sea area is located in the neighbouring municipality of [[Kirkkonummi]]. The surface area of the Suvisaaristo-Lauttasaari sea area is 48.5 square kilometres. It reaches from the shores of the islands of Stora Herrö and Pentala up to the [[West Harbour, Helsinki|West Harbour]] in Helsinki. The surface area of the Seurasaari sea area is 13.1 square kilometres. The Laajalahti nature preserve area is located in its northwestern part. Most of the sea area is located in neighbouring Helsinki. The surface area of the Helsinki-Porkkala sea area is 400.5 square kilometres. It reaches from the eastern shore of the [[Porkkalanniemi]] peninsula up to [[Suomenlinna]] and [[Santahamina]]. Islands in the sea area include Kytö, Stenskär, [[Knapperskär]] and [[Gåsgrund]].<ref>[http://www.jarviwiki.fi/wiki/Espoo Espoo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927030711/https://www.jarviwiki.fi/wiki/Espoo |date=27 September 2022 }}, environmental centre of Finland. Accessed on 12 October 2019.</ref>

=== Shoreline ===
The shoreline of Espoo is about 58 kilometres long and there are 165 islands in front of it.<ref>[http://espoo550.fi/espoon-rannat-ja-saaristo/ Espoon rannat ja saaristo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812025934/https://espoo550.fi/espoon-rannat-ja-saaristo/ |date=12 August 2022 }}, Espoo550. Accessed on 6 November 2017.</ref> The shoreline is diverse and contains decomposing bays, reed beds, sandy beaches, coastal cliffs and boat harbours. The district of [[Westend, Espoo|Westend]] contains private house lots reaching to the sea shore, while the sea shore in the rest of Espoo is mainly in public use. The [[Rantaraitti]] hiking route spans almost the entire sea shore of Espoo.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171106191356/http://www.espoo.fi/rantaraitti Rantaraitti], city of Espoo. Accessed on 6 November 2017.</ref> The district of [[Kivenlahti]] contains coastal cliffs, man-made shoreline and sandy beaches.

The land in Espoo is rising by about a quarter of a metre per century and the moist land rise shores are slowly becoming bogs.<ref name="kohteet"/>{{rp|12}}

=== Continental area ===
[[File:Day trip in Nuuksio National Park .jpg|thumb|right|Lake Pitkäjärvi in Nuuksio in northern Espoo]]
[[File:Länsiväylä Espoo Finland direction West 2018-11-24 b.png|thumb|right|A view of the Länsiväylä highway in southern Espoo, at the coast of the Gulf of Finland]]
[[File:Mankinjoki Espoonkartano Espoo 260921.png|thumb|right|The river Mankinjoki flows rapidly in central Espoo.]]
There are six [[Natura 2000]] areas in Espoo: the Bånberget forest area, Espoonlahti-[[Saunalahti, Espoo|Saunalahti]] (partly located in Kirkkonummi), the Laajalahti bird waters, [[Matalajärvi]], [[Nuuksio]] (partly located in Kirkkonummi and [[Vihti]]) and the bogs, groves and old forests in Vestra (partly located in [[Vantaa]]).<ref>[http://www.ymparisto.fi/fi-FI/Luonto/Suojelualueet/Natura_2000_alueet?f=Uudenmaan_ELYkeskus Uudenmaan Natura 2000 -alueet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903000327/https://www.ymparisto.fi/fi-FI/Luonto/Suojelualueet/Natura_2000_alueet?f=Uudenmaan_ELYkeskus |date=3 September 2022 }}, environmental council of Finland. Accessed on 16 August 2014.</ref> The forests in Espoo are mainly [[pine barrens]] consisting mostly of spruces and pines, with some deciduous trees. There are lush and diverse groves in some places, containing many hardwood trees such as [[oak]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041932/http://espoo04.hosting.documenta.fi/kokous/2013281848-14-1.PDF ESPOON LUONNON MONIMUOTOISUUDEN SUOJELUN TOIMENPIDEOHJELMA], p. 10, 12. Accessed on 7 November 2017.</ref> The ecological core area of southern Espoo is the [[Espoo Central Park]], consisting mainly of two forest massives: Harmaakallo and Bosmalm.<ref>[https://www.sll.fi/mita-sina-voit-tehda/tule-mukaan-toimintaan/suomi-100/luontohelmet/espoon-keskuspuisto Espoon Keskuspuisto] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111073019/https://www.sll.fi/mita-sina-voit-tehda/tule-mukaan-toimintaan/suomi-100/luontohelmet/espoon-keskuspuisto |date=11 November 2017 }}, Nature preservation association of Finland. Accessed on 7 November 2017.</ref>

The most famous and most popular nature area in Espoo is the [[Nuuksio National Park]] located on the lake highland of northern Espoo, reaching over to Kirkkonummi and Vihti. As well as the contiguous forest and pools of sweet water, Nuuksio contains small bogs and meadows. There are also lush grove-like brook valleys in the area.<ref>Hiironniemi, Kalevi; Pajakoski, Johanna: ''Kuin pieni Suomi: Espoon luontoa mereltä erämaahan'', p. 10. City of Espoo 2008. {{ISBN|978-951-857-514-9}}.</ref>

The highest spot in Espoo, [[Mustankorvenkallio]], is located in Velskola to the southwest of Saarijärvi 114 metres above sea level and over 40 metres above the water level of Saarijärvi.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200804151039/https://www.espoo.fi/download/noname/%7B659A0559-3554-4687-9A00-63D2B0402DDA%7D/91574 Kotinurkilta kallioille: Espoon luontokohteet: 12.13 Espoon korkein kohta], city of Espoo. Accessed on 7 November 2017.</ref> There are also considerably high spots very near the coast, such as the Kasavuori hill in Soukka, rising to 44 metres above sea level.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200804151039/https://www.espoo.fi/download/noname/%7B659A0559-3554-4687-9A00-63D2B0402DDA%7D/91574 Kotinurkilta kallioille: Espoon luontokohteet: 4.16 Soukan kasavuori], city of Espoo. Accessed on 7 November 2017.</ref>

=== Inland waters ===
There are over a hundred lakes and ponds in Espoo, of which 73 have an area of over a hectare.<ref name="paikkala"/>{{rp|5}}<ref name="jarviwiki">[http://www.jarviwiki.fi/wiki/Espoo Espoo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927030711/https://www.jarviwiki.fi/wiki/Espoo |date=27 September 2022 }}, ''jarviwiki.fi''. Accessed on 9 September 2019.</ref> The lakes in Espoo were formed when the land slowly started rising after the continental ice sheet had thawed, and water started flowing into the crevices in the bedrock. The oldest lakes in Espoo are Kalatoin, Iso Majaslampi, Orajärvi and Pieni Majaslampi, all located over 80 metres above sea level. At that time, what is now the Baltic Sea was in a so-called [[Yoldia Sea]] phase, which had formed when the surface of the [[Baltic Ice Lake]] had lowered tens of metres in a short time. Nuuksio slowly expanded into part of the mainland and new lakes were formed when the sea level sank. Development stopped for about a millennium and a half when the ancient Baltic Sea changed into the [[Ancylus Lake]]. Its surface was originally about 60 metres above the current sea level. The Ancylus Lake formed into the salty [[Littorina Sea]] when the current [[Danish straits]] started opening up. The surface of the Littorina Sea was about 34 metres above the current sea level. At that time, almost all lakes in northern Espoo had been separated from the sea. Only the lake [[Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi]] remained as a narrow, [[fjord]]-like bay. The shore of the Littorina Sea remained at its place for a long time as upthrust slowed down. Rocky rims remain of the ancient sea shore on hills and cliffs. Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi only separated from the sea and became an inland lake about five millennia ago. About four millennia ago the land had risen so far that also [[Lake Bodom]], [[Lippajärvi]] and other pools in central Espoo changed from shallow bays into lakes.<ref name="paikkala"/>{{rp|15}}

Most of the lakes in Espoo are located to the north of the [[Finnish national road 1]], particularly in the lake highlands in Nuuksio. There are three pools named Pitkäjärvi ("long lake"): [[Pitkäjärvi]], Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi and [[Velskolan Pitkäjärvi]]. The largest lake in Espoo is [[Lake Bodom]] with a surface area of 4.1 square kilometres and an average depth of 4.3 metres.<ref name="järvien">[https://web.archive.org/web/20161028131718/http://www.espoo.fi/download/noname/%7BC89C4628-8F1E-4D99-B9E8-EC0D8657A3CD%7D/36868 Selvitys Espoon järvien tilasta], environmental centre of Uusimaa. Accessed on 9 November 2017.</ref>{{rp|50}} The largest depth of Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi is 18 metres and the average depth is 6.5 metres, and there are tens of lakes and ponds in its [[drainage basin]] of 60 square kilometres.<ref name="järvien"/>{{rp|37}} There are few lakes in southern Espoo. The shallow lake [[Hannusjärvi]] with a surface area of six hectares is located in [[Kaitaa]]<ref name="järvien"/>{{rp|53}} and the small lake [[Pentalanjärvi]] is located in the island of [[Pentala]].<ref name="järvien"/>{{rp|55}}

Because the sweet water pools to the south of the [[Salpausselkä]] ridges formed when the ancient bays separated from the sea into lakes because of upthrust, only very few islands developed in them.<ref name="paikkala"/>{{rp|15}} One of the few inland islands in Espoo is an island of fifteen hectares in the lake [[Saarijärvi, Espoo|Saarijärvi]] located near the border to Vihti. There was a suggestion to name the rocky island covered in pine forests as Partiosaari, but nothing became of this.<ref name="paikkala"/>{{rp|61}}

The differences in the surface heights of the lakes in Espoo are considerable. Lake Pieni Majaslampi is located the highest up, 97 metres above sea level. Lake Saarijärvi near it is located 25 metres lower. Because of the height differences, small rapids sometimes form in spring time in the creeks between adjacent water pools.<ref name="ahola">Ahola, Joel: ''Nuuksio: retkeilyopas & kartta''. Helsinki: Retkeilymedia Ahola ja Affecto Oy, 2008. {{ISBN|978-951-593-200-6}}.</ref>{{rp|50}}

===Features===
Although Espoo is relatively highly populated, it has large amounts of the countryside and natural wilderness, particularly in the city's western and northern portions. The city has a total of 71 lakes, the largest of which are [[Lake Bodom]], Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi, Vanhankylän Pitkäjärvi, Loojärvi, Velskolan Pitkäjärvi, Saarijärvi, Matalajärvi, Siikajärvi, and Lippajärvi. The city has a large coastline on the [[Gulf of Finland]].

Espoo has six [[Natura 2000]] [[protected area]]s: Bånberget forests, Espoonlahti–Saunalahti bay area (partially in [[Kirkkonummi]]), Laajalahti bay, Matalajärvi lake, [[Nuuksio National Park]] (partially in Kirkkonummi and [[Vihti]]), as well as forests in Vestra (partially in [[Vantaa]]).

The official animal of Espoo is the [[Siberian flying squirrel]], the official bird is the [[common blackbird]], and the official plant is ''[[Anemone nemorosa]]''.

=== Flora and fauna ===
[[File:Koski, jossa on myllyn jäännökset 2.jpg|thumb|left|Rapids in Bemböle]]
[[File:Ducks in Espoo.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mallard]]s in [[Matinkylä]]]]
The city's Central Park's fauna represents a typical range of Finnish forest species. The most common flora in the Central Park includes [[Equisetum]], [[fern]]s, [[Anemone]], [[Lythrum]] and [[Orchidaceae]]. Common mammal species present in Espoo include the [[European hare]] and the [[mountain hare]], the [[raccoon dog]], the [[red squirrel]], the [[Moose|elk]], the [[red fox]], various bat species, the [[European badger]], as well as the [[roe deer]] and the [[white-tailed deer]],<ref name="Central Park"/> which was introduced to Finland in the 1930s as a gift from [[Finnish Americans|Finnish American]] migrants.<ref>{{cite news |last= Mansikka |first= Heli |date=  |title= Suomi sai Amerikan lahjaksi 7 valkohäntäpeuraa, ne vapautettiin luontoon ja nyt niitä on 100 000 – laukonpeurojen historia on kiehtova tarina isänmaanrakkaudesta |url= https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-10290307 |language= Finnish |work= Yle |location=  |access-date= 3 April 2021 |archive-date= 27 July 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210727132250/https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-10290307 |url-status= live }}</ref>

The Suomenoja Bird Reserve in Finnoo, southern Espoo, is considered to be nationally significant for its bird diversity.<ref name="suomenluonto">{{cite web | url= https://suomenluonto.fi/artikkelit/retkivinkki-finnoon-allas-espoon-suomenojalla/ | title= Retkivinkki: Finnoon allas Espoon Suomenojalla | publisher= Suomen Luonto | access-date= 13 February 2021 | language= fi | archive-date= 21 December 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201221083017/https://suomenluonto.fi/artikkelit/retkivinkki-finnoon-allas-espoon-suomenojalla/ | url-status= live }}</ref> Among others, there are endangered [[Common moorhen|moorhens]], as well as [[horned grebe]]s and [[gadwall]]s. The most common and audible maritime bird species is the [[black-headed gull]], but the [[whooper swan]] is also a common sight in the city's archipelago, where [[white-tailed eagle]]s can be found as well.<ref name="suomenluonto"/>

The city is home to 73 vulnerable or endangered species,<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.espoo.fi/en-US/Housing_and_environment/Environment_and_nature/Endangered_species(139256) | title= Endangered species | publisher= City of Espoo | access-date= 11 March 2021 | archive-date= 31 July 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210731215115/https://www.espoo.fi/en-US/Housing_and_environment/Environment_and_nature/Endangered_species(139256) | url-status= dead }}</ref> including the [[Siberian flying squirrel]], whose Finnish populations have experienced a steep decline for many decades due to logging. The flying squirrel is considered to be the official animal of Espoo,<ref>{{cite news |last= Tarkka-Tierala |first= Hannele |date= |title= Liito-orava, mustarastas ja valkovuokko nimikkosuosikit |url= https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/art-2000003590909.html | language = Finnish |work= Helsingin Sanomat |location= |access-date= 3 April 2021}}</ref> and the squirrel populations are especially plentiful in the northernmost parts of the city. However, the flying squirrel is also present in some southern areas, including the Central Park, [[Soukka]], [[Espoon keskus]], [[Tapiola]], [[Laajalahti]], Hannusmetsä and [[Matinkylä]].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.espoo.fi/en-US/Housing_and_environment/Environment_and_nature/Flying_squirrel__the_symbol_of_Espoo(139250) | title= Flying squirrel – the symbol of Espoo | publisher= City of Espoo | access-date= 11 March 2021 | archive-date= 31 July 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210731220746/https://www.espoo.fi/en-US/Housing_and_environment/Environment_and_nature/Flying_squirrel__the_symbol_of_Espoo(139250) | url-status= dead }}</ref>