Helsinki is the capital city of Finland. It’s situated in the southern part of Finland, on the coast of Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is among the world’s most liveable cities and one of the most technologically-advanced. It is the country’s economic, transportation, and cultural centre. Since the 18th century, Helsinki has been influencing other cities around the world. It is famous for its combination of neoclassical and modernist architecture that stand side by side to complement each other. Some of the places that make it famous include the amazing ancient buildings, Helsinki Cathedral, Market Square, National Museum of Finland, Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum and the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.

Census in Finland is done after every 10 years and 2011 was the last time that it was conducted. The next census is scheduled for 2021 in Finland. According to the 2011 census, Helsinki had a population of 588,941. Compared to other cities in Finland, Helsinki is considered to be more diverse. According to the 2011 census, 91.5% of the population is Finnish in Helsinki while across Finland amounted to 93.4%. This is due to many people moving to the city center. When it comes to religious beliefs, Helsinki is known to be diverse as most people identify themselves as Lutheran, Orthodox, Muslim, and Buddhist. According to the data collected during the 2011 census, 57% people in Helsinki identified themselves as Lutheran, 1.1% as Orthodox, 1% Muslim, 0.2% Buddhist and 0.1% Other religions. On the other hand, 39.2% of respondents declared that they followed no religion. Helsinki houses over 631,695 residents, who collectively speak Finnish and Swedish, and a growing number of other languages. The Helsinki Cathedral is an iconic symbol of the city and it is visited by over 350,000 people annually.

Helsinki is governed by the City Council, which is elected every four years by the residents. The City Council elects the Mayor and four Deputy Mayors from among its members. The Mayor is responsible for the city's operational activities, while the Deputy Mayors head the city's divisions. The City Council also appoints the City Board, which prepares matters to be handled by the City Council and ensures that its decisions are implemented. The City Board consists of 13 members, who are elected from among the City Council members for two years at a time.

Helsinki has always been a commercial city and today has one of the strongest economies in the Nordic region. The city thrives in IT, service sector and commerce and has a vibrant culture steeped in innovation. It has a GDP of over €70 billion, which is about 35 percent of Finland's total GDP. The Port of Helsinki is the busiest passenger port in Europe and it handles 14.7 million passengers every year.

The City of Helsinki has been proactive in planning for growth with the publication of the Helsinki City Plan. It identifies a range of infrastructure priorities for Helsinki, from new energy, water and sewerage infrastructure, to enhanced digital connectivity and new public transportation schemes. Some of the investment is provided by the private sector. The city has generally worked well in improving digital infrastructure. Helsinki is a leader in smart city technology and is known for its innovative initiatives in utilizing technology to improve the quality of life for its residents and visitors.