# Saimaa

> largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe

**Wikidata**: [Q192770](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192770)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saimaa)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saimaa

## Summary

Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe, forming an extensive body of relatively still water localized in a basin within Northern Europe. Located entirely within Finland, this major lake system encompasses multiple distinct lake sections and serves as a significant geographical feature of the Finnish landscape, with a sitelink count of 77 and coordinates at latitude 61.25, longitude 28.25.

## Key Facts

- **Classification:** Largest lake in Finland; fourth largest lake in Europe
- **Type:** Lake (body of relatively still water, localized in a basin)
- **Location:** Finland (country Q33), Northern Europe
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 61.25, Longitude 28.25
- **Wikipedia Title:** Saimaa
- **Wikidata Description:** largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe
- **Sitelink Count:** 77
- **Aliases:** Suur-Saimaa, Saimen, Lake Saimaa

## FAQs

**What are the major lake sections that make up Saimaa?**

Saimaa comprises multiple interconnected lake sections, including Pihlajavesi, Puruvesi, Haukivesi, Lake Orivesi, Pyhäselkä, Enonvesi, Pyyvesi, Ukonvesi, Yövesi, Paljavesi, and Luonteri. Each of these is a distinct lake that forms part of the broader Saimaa lake system.

**Which Finnish regions is Saimaa located in?**

Saimaa spans multiple regions of Finland, including North Savo, South Savo, South Karelia, and North Karelia. South Savo and South Karelia were established as regions on January 1, 1994, while North Karelia has a sitelink count of 72, making it one of the more prominent regions associated with the lake.

**What makes Saimaa geographically significant in Europe?**

As the fourth largest lake in Europe, Saimaa represents a major freshwater reservoir in Northern Europe. Its extensive surface area and complex system of interconnected basins make it one of the most significant lake systems on the continent, contributing to Finland's reputation as the "Land of Thousand Lakes."

**What is the relationship between Saimaa and the Finnish lake district?**

Saimaa is part of a larger network of Finnish lakes, with its various sections like Puruvesi, Lake Orivesi, Pyhäselkä, and others serving as integral components of Finland's extensive freshwater systems. The lake system's complexity is evidenced by its multiple named sections, each with their own identities while collectively forming Saimaa.

## Why It Matters

Saimaa holds significant importance as Finland's premier freshwater body, representing both a natural resource of considerable ecological value and a defining geographical feature of the Finnish landscape. As the fourth largest lake in Europe, it plays a crucial role in Finland's identity as the "Land of Thousand Lakes," a nickname that reflects the country's extensive freshwater resources. The lake system supports diverse ecosystems, provides water resources for surrounding communities, and contributes to the regional economy through tourism, fishing, and recreational activities. Its presence across multiple Finnish regions—North Savo, South Savo, South Karelia, and North Karelia—demonstrates its importance as a shared natural resource that connects different parts of eastern Finland. The lake's extensive network of interconnected basins and sections creates a unique hydrological system that distinguishes it from other European lakes.

## Notable For

- Largest lake in Finland
- Fourth largest lake in Europe
- Complex system of multiple interconnected lake sections
- Spans four Finnish regions (North Savo, South Savo, South Karelia, North Karelia)
- Known by multiple names: Suur-Saimaa, Saimen, and Lake Saimaa
- Located at coordinates 61.25°N, 28.25°E in Northern Europe

## Body

### Geographical Overview

Saimaa is a major lake system located in Finland, the largest lake in the country and the fourth largest in Europe. The lake is characterized as a body of relatively still water, localized in a basin formation. Geographically, Saimaa is situated in Northern Europe, specifically within the borders of Finland (country code Q33), with its coordinates placed at latitude 61.25 and longitude 28.25. The lake serves as a defining geographical feature of eastern Finland, contributing significantly to the region's landscape and natural resources.

### Component Lakes and Sections

Saimaa comprises numerous distinct lake sections that collectively form one of Europe's most extensive lake systems. The primary components include:

**Major Lake Sections:**
- Pihlajavesi — a lake in Finland that is part of Saimaa, with a sitelink count of 16
- Puruvesi — lake in Finland, part of Saimaa, with a sitelink count of 17
- Haukivesi — lake of Finland, part of Saimaa, with a sitelink count of 17
- Lake Orivesi — lake of Finland, part of Saimaa, with a sitelink count of 17
- Pyhäselkä — lake of North Karelia region, Finland, part of Saimaa, with a sitelink count of 13
- Enonvesi — lake of Enonkoski, Finland, part of Saimaa, with a sitelink count of 8
- Pyyvesi — lake in Savonlinna, Finland, with a sitelink count of 7
- Ukonvesi — lake in Mikkeli, Finland, with a sitelink count of 8

**Additional Sections:**
- Yövesi — a part of lake Saimaa in Southern Savonia in Finland, with a sitelink count of 5
- Paljavesi — lake in Mikkeli, Finland, with a sitelink count of 6
- Luonteri — section of Lake Saimaa in Finland, with a sitelink count of 5

### Regional Distribution

Saimaa spans across multiple Finnish regions, demonstrating its significance as a geographical feature that connects different parts of eastern Finland:

- **North Savo** — region of Finland with a sitelink count of 67
- **South Savo** — region of Finland, established on January 1, 1994, with a sitelink count of 67
- **South Karelia** — region of Finland, established on January 1, 1994, with a sitelink count of 67
- **North Karelia** — region of Finland, established on January 1, 1994, with a sitelink count of 72

### Nomenclature and Identification

Saimaa is known by several names and identifiers:
- **Primary Name:** Saimaa
- **Aliases:** Suur-Saimaa (Great Saimaa), Saimen, Lake Saimaa
- **Wikipedia Title:** Saimaa
- **Wikidata Description:** largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe
- **Sitelink Count:** 77, indicating significant presence in knowledge bases

### Classification

Saimaa falls under the broader classification of lakes, defined as bodies of relatively still water localized in a basin. This classification places it within the category of significant freshwater bodies, with the lake representing one of Europe's most substantial inland water systems. The sitelink count of 211 for the general "lake" classification underscores the importance of such water bodies in geographical knowledge systems.

## References

1. [Source](http://geo.stat.fi/geoserver/tilastointialueet/wfs)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GeoNames
6. BabelNet
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File