Tampere is the third largest city in Finland and the largest inland centre in the Nordic countries. Currently there are over 200,000 inhabitants in Tampere and almost 300,000 inhabitants in Tampere Sub-Region, which comprises Tampere and its neighbouring municipalities.

Tamperes city centre is surrounded by lake and ridge scenery, sited on an isthmus between lakes Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi. The Tammerkoski rapids run through the city.

Pyynikki, which was formed by the action of ice and sea more than 10,000 years ago, is the worlds highest gravel ridge. At its highest it rises 80 metres above Lake Pyhäjärvi and 160 metres above sea level.

There are 200 lakes and ponds in Tampere, and a total of 450 in the entire region.

24 per cent of Tamperes surface area is water and 76 per cent land. 18.5 per cent of the land has a town plan.

There are numerous nature reserves in Tampere. Pyynikki and Viikinsaari near the city centre are the best known of