Saimaa

Saimaa, or Saimen in Swedish, is the largest lake in Finland. Major towns on the lakeshore include Imatra, Lappeenranta, Savonlinna and Mikkeli. The river Vuoksi flows from Saimaa to Lake Ladoga.

The Saimaa Canal from Lappeenranta to Vyborg binds Saimaa to the Gulf of Finland. Other canals bind Saimaa to smaller lakes in Eastern Finland and form a network of waterways. These waterways are mainly used to transport wood, minerals, metals, pulp and other cargo, but also tourists use the waterways.

One of the two freshwater seal species, the Ringed Seal lives in Saimaa.