Näsijärvi

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Näsijärvi
Location	Western Finland
Coordinates	61°37′N 23°42′E / 61.617°N 23.7°E / 61.617; 23.7Coordinates: 61°37′N 23°42′E / 61.617°N 23.7°E / 61.617; 23.7
Primary outflows	Tammerkoski
Basin countries	Finland
Max. length	40 km
Surface area	256.12 km²[1]
Max. depth	63 m
Surface elevation	95.4 m[1]
Settlements	Kuru, Tampere, Ylöjärvi
References	[1]

Näsijärvi is a lake 95 meters above sea level, in southern Finland. Näsijärvi is the biggest lake in the Tampere region. It is 256 km² in size. The city of Tampere was built around the rapids of Tammerkoski, through which the lake drains into Pyhäjärvi. The water quality of the lake has improved as forest industry has decreased the amount of waste water.

There are boat cruising services on Näsijärvi. The steamer SS Kuru suffered the most severe Finnish inland shipping disaster on lake Näsijärvi.

During the winter, usually during February and March, the lake is frozen in its entirety. Näsijärvi is then used for Nordic walking, cross-country skiing, and everyday pleasure walking. There is a small, rocky island upon which a lighthouse resides - it is the most popular walking destination on the lake.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Finnish Environment Institute: Finnish lakes larger than 40 square kilometers