Saimaa

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Saimaa
a canal
Location	southeastern Finland
Coordinates	61°15′N 28°15′ECoordinates: 61°15′N 28°15′E
Primary outflows	Vuoksi River, Saimaa Canal
Surface area	1,377 km²
Water volume	36 km³
Surface elevation	82 m
Settlements	Lappeenranta, Imatra, Savonlinna, Mikkeli

Saimaa, or Saimen in Swedish, is a lake in southeastern Finland. At approximately 1,377 square km, it is the largest lake in Finland, and the fourth largest in Europe. Major towns on the lakeshore include Lappeenranta, Imatra, Savonlinna and Mikkeli. The Vuoksi River 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 fresh water seal species, the Saimaa Ringed Seal lives in Saimaa.

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