The capital of Finland is Helsinki. It is the largest city in the country and is located on the southern tip of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of Finland. It became the capital in 1812 and is known for its maritime location, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Helsinki has a population of over 1.3 million in the greater metropolitan area and is the northernmost capital city in the European Union.