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- A psychotic big game hunter deliberately strands a luxury yacht on a remote island, where he begins to hunt its passengers for sport.
- The living corpses of the Satan-worshiping Knights Templar hunt for human victims in a 16th century galleon.
- Seven women are the only survivors of an Apache attack on a wagon train. They must cross the desert on foot to escape the Indians who are hunting them.
- Edwige Fenech plays the girlfriend of beatnik-hippy artist Archie (Willi Colombini). Throughout the film Edwige is either having her body painted during a hippy party, posing naked for Archie or seducing other men. All is not fun and games for Edwige though after another hippy girl (Marcella Michelangeli) has her eyes on Archie
- Kuma Cunningham and Jane Lindström are a couple in love. By chance they find a strange stone. Kuma asks Jane to throw away this stone, the stone would be bad luck.
- FBI agent Brad joins Tony and Nick, the self styled Supermen who battle crime wearing bullet-proof super-suits. They are on a case involving radioactive counterfeit money and people who can be broken down into precious jewels.
- Ulysses offends the gods by blinding the Cyclops, so they send Hercules to capture him and bring him to them.
- Teruo is an adopted son of an old samurai family that returns to Japan after living in Germany and is expected to marry Mitsuko. But he's struggling to readjust to Japan and intends to marry an Aryan woman.
- Prince Saïd escapes his father's murderers, sent by traitor Ibrahim who quickly takes over the throne. Becoming a desert bandit he fights to get back his rights, meeting in the meantime beautiful Amina, Ibrahim's daughter.
- The Italian mountaineer Carel wants to be the first man to stand on the top of the Matterhorn. Since the climb is very difficult, he agrees to try it together with the British mountaineer Whymper. But due to an intrigue this agreement is dropped and the two man try it on the same day with two different teams and then disaster strikes.
- Story of the trials and tribulations of a German who emigrates to the US during the Great Depression.
- The adventures of Robert Lafleur, alias Scaramouche, are the sensation of his time, thanks to his talent as an actor and charm as an incorrigible seducer. He becomes the enemy of the Marquis de la Tour when he makes a conquest of his mistress, the ravishing Madame de Popignan. His world is thrown into a turmoil when, one day, the Marquis de Souchil recognizes Scaramouche as the illegitimate son of the Duke de Froissard.
- This film features a colossal clash between a mass of invaders and the faithful Roman soldiers who must fight to defend the Roman Empire.
- General Gutierrez, the evil governor of Mexico, imposes taxes on the people and terrorizes them with his henchmen.
- Shortly before the First World War, an Italian and an Austrian take part in a mountaineering expedition together. Not long afterwards they find themselves fighting on different sides. The plot also features references to the Mines on the Italian Front (World War I).
- Coriolanus leads the Volsci in a war against Rome.
- A diplomatic meeting between Western and Arab diplomats goes wrong, and a black gold dossier is firmly pushed across a desk. Against a background of hostages taken in an embassy, a covert operations agent, Benson, is given a mission in Paris. He is going into an Arab Emirate with a chosen group of operatives, and blow up an oil refinery. Getting in is easy, but getting out - well, that's another thing. In the end, among crossfire and grenades, and double-crossing, only Benson comes back to report mission accomplished. he will be gunned down by the Eiffel Tower by his own people. The mission was so secret that someone made sure "Dead can not speak."
- Sir Gotz von Berlichingen, a knight who fights for God and his Emperor, is the bitter enemy of the Bishop of Bamberg, who has managed to persuade Gotz's old friend Adalbert of Weislingen to fight for him. He allows Adalbert to kidnap him and bring him to his castle, where he tries to convince his old friend to come over from the "dark side". Complications ensue.
- Rasputin was a lusty steppes peasant, a god revealed, a cunning patriot, all that, or a mystifier? An intriguing biography.
- A Hamburg police inspector investigates the crime of a homosexual in a love hotel, and although several guests are suspicious, his thoughts are elsewhere, as his own son lies on the operating table in a hospital, fighting for his life.
- A South African girl is captured and forced to become a hooker. It is horrible for her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary and love on a remote game preserve. Unfortunately, her former employer finds her and carves up her face, causing her lover to head off for (quite bloody) revenge.
- The first filmed winter ascent of the Matterhorn North Face. To set the scene, the tragic history of Edward Whymper's first ascent is expertly re-enacted. The modern expedition, a team of three Britihs climbers, is also plagued by epics: Eric Jones is hit by an avalanche and only manages to stop perilously near the edge of a 1000 ft drop. Then the worst storm ever recorded in Zermatt strikes the Matterhorn. With time and weather against them, the team is forced to climb in the dark while thunderstorms rumble around them. This adventure captures the skill and courage of the climbers, their agony and tension, and the beauty of the assault on this spectacular mountain.
- In the Mont Blanc Observatory works Hannes. The only contact to the outside world is a pilot and Hella over the morse-code-radio. As Hella climbs the mountain with her father, the father dies. Also Hannes gets endangered as his fingers freeze. But Hella gets help.
- Legendary high-altitude climber Reinhold Messner pushes himself to the limit in achieving the first successful summit without the use of supplemental oxygen.
- The hero steals the haul from the thieves, gives it back to the police but charges 10% for that.
- An exhilarating view of skiing the German Alps, with a load in your pants.
- Women from around the world flock to a Swiss ski hotel after having received identical love letters from ski instructor Toni. Since he ignores all of the ladies Dorothy fakes an emergency on the mountain while he is on rescue duty.
- Plain-looking Giovanni Testa can barely support his family from his artisan wharf. Angelic son Carlito is the meat in the sandwich when Giovanni's sexy wife Teresa bitterly compares him to his wealthy brother, ruthless businessman Enzo. Although innocent, Giovanni flees under the assumed name Guglielmo Razoni when Enzo is murdered just after they had a loud row when he asked in vain for a loan. Giovanni starts a new life as construction worker on a dam in the Dolomites, but gets entangled in more love and crime drama, while an old rival makes a move on Teresa.
- Little Europe, a town in the American West, is chosen as the site for a European Music Festival to be internationally broadcast on television. The election of judges jeopardizes the village's peace because the dormant antagonisms of the descendants of the Italians, Spanish, French, and Germans will be awakened.
- Eva is employed in a porcelain factory owned by Georg von Hochheim's grandmother, who asks him to take over the company and try to put it back into profitability. He takes on the project in the guise of a worker and falls in love with Eva. When his true identity becomes known, his motives and intentions are questioned.
- Sissy (a character Romy Schneider would later popularize in the 50s) is Duke Maximilian of Bavaria's favorite daughter.The gift of a necklace,meant for her, falls into the hands of a crooked circus director.
- An Alpine adventure-romance.
- The famous British sleuth subverts the plans of a sinister gang to steal important business blueprints.
- Iceland, an island of fire and ice, a land of geysers, volcanoes and lava deserts, remote and desolate, yet full of breathtaking natural beauty. The spectacle of numerous Solfatara formations ranges from fascinating bubbling mud holes to dramatic crevices that spew out hot steam. The sulphur laden mud pools can reach a temperature of up to 100 degrees Celsius. The surrounding terrain can suddenly give way, therefore the area can be extremely dangerous and should be approached with great caution. Although a tourist destination, Námaskard is far from overcrowded. This is most likely due to the ever present and highly obtrusive odor of sulphur expelled by its mud holes. The Námaskard region is not only one of the hottest areas of the island, it also forms the geological border between Europe and North America known as The Mid Atlantic Ridge. The scenery is indeed captivating and surreal and it is hardly surprising that countless myths and legends have been created on the island. Rising from the depths of the earth, the foul-smelling vapors of the Solfatara Fields and the volcanic surroundings of Námaskard probably once stimulated the imagination of the Vikings, Iceland's original inhabitants. Just outside the small town of Grindavik, near the capital of Reykjavik, a more down to earth though sensual ritual takes place. The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular bathing areas on the island. Surrounded by lava, the water of this picturesque lake is a constant 38 degrees Celsius. The sonorous name of the Blue Lagoon is not derived from a natural phenomenon but from the waters of a nearby geothermal power plant. As one of the greatest natural paradises in Europe, Iceland is totally unique. This island in the North Atlantic unites in a most magical way the two great forces of Nature: scorching fire and eternal ice.
- Disgusted with conditions in Germany after WWII, a sailor returns to the coast of Chile where he had been serving and lives a solitary existence.Until he hears promising news of a different kind of government in his homeland.
- There is almost no other country on Earth that possesses as many secrets and ancient legends as the Arabia Felix. The Bab-El-Mandeb, the gateway to Yemen, is the entrance to the historic district of Sana'a, Yemen's capital city that it is believed to date back to the 3rd Century A.D. Women are rarely to be seen in Yemen's market places and, when they are, they are hidden from male glances by a protective veil. Islam still plays an important role in the daily cultural life of the people, including the traditional market places that are almost exclusively a male domain. The Republic of Yemen covers a large part of the southwest Arabian Peninsula and contains several fascinating historical sites. East of Sana'a, on the ancient Frankincense route, is the town of Marib, that was once the residence of the legendary Queen of Saba and in the extreme north is the town of Sadah, a region known for its powerful tribes. In the center of the Djebel Harraz is the picturesque mountain village of Manakhah. Due to its location, it was once a strategic point on the ancient trading route between the sea and the highlands. The breathtaking architecture of its buildings still testifies to the former prosperity of a village that today is well known for its popular market. Al Hudaydah was once the most important Turkish harbor on the Red Sea. The city was a commercial rival of the British occupied city of Aden to the south which, during colonial times, was of great importance in securing a sea route to India. In addition to the recent modernization of the harbor, the fishing industry still plays an important role and the fertile coastal waters of the Red Sea still ensure a good catch. To the south of Al Hudaydah is the legendary old harbor of Mokha, the former center of the country's coffee trade from which the world renowned Mocha coffee derived its name. Despite their present poverty the people here are a proud race and the ancient name of the Yemen, Arabia Felix, or "Arabia the Content", is still a thing of the present.
- The Pyramids of Giza are undoubtedly one of the most impressive and famous historic sites of ancient Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs, a land whose treasures are still, more than 4,000 years after their construction, remarkable. A total of 2.3 million stone blocks form the largest pyramid, the Cheops, that was built around 2560 B.C. on an elevated plateau, on the edge of the western desert. The huge contours of the pyramids of Giza still dominate Cairo's surrounding landscape. Their dimensions symbolize timeless power and in red shining colors, the sky announces the fall of dusk and highlights the dramatic, magical beauty of these monuments. The Step Pyramid of King Djoser rises up almost 70 meters above the ground and it was the world's first monumental stone building. Thus the Step Pyramid is often referred to as the 'mother of all pyramids'. A narrow maze-like corridor leads from the outside world into the dark depths of the pyramid and the Pharaoh's tomb. The flowering period of Thebes began in the Middle Empire when it became the new capital and lasted up until around the 14th Century B.C. when Memphis regained its importance and influence. Today, Thebes is closely connected with this town of death along the western shore of the Nile and the legendary Valley of the Kings. In 1922, the discovery of the royal tomb of Tutankhamen by British archaeologist, Howard Carter, was particularly important. After five years of excavation, the scientists were successful and the spectacular treasures surpassed their highest expectations. Although Tutankhamen died at the tender age of 19, his rule thus having little historical significance, the treasures in his tomb made him one of the most famous kings of Ancient Egypt. Today, his legendary sarcophagus, that is made entirely of gold, is exhibited in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Up until now, more than 70 tombs have been found in the neighboring Valley of the Queens. Princes who died at an early age were also buried there. The grave of Nefertari, the wife of Ramses the Second, is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the valley. The Land of the Pharaohs is a fantastic and colorful journey into the intriguing depths of ancient history.
- Extending south to Tuscany, Italy's mountainous western coast on the Gulf of Genoa is called, Liguria, a picture book country with paradisiacal cliffs, remote villages, bucket loads of sunshine and a region known as, Cinque Terre, that comprises five villages. Our journey begins in Genoa, the fifth largest city in Italy. A guided tour of the harbor is a good way to gain an understanding of this city which became a powerful economic force in the sixteenth century. The Palazzo Reale was once the residence of the Savoy-Piedmont royal family, with Piano Nobile (noble floor), gallery and hanging garden. Monterosso Al Mare is the first and largest of the five villages that comprise Cinque Terre, on the route south. It extends across two bays and two districts, separated by a rock. The modern district of Fegina has a long waterfront promenade, a well-kept sandy beach and a good range of accommodation. Vernazza is considered to be the most beautiful of the five villages mainly because of its location within a splendid bay. Corniglia has no direct access to the sea, but extends along a massive rocky plateau about a hundred meters above the sea. On the hilly outskirts is the San Pietro Church, built in 1334, with an elegant, decorated facade and a rose window of Carrara marble. Portovenere is situated on a long promontory in a remarkable location on the Ligurian coast. Just outside the famous Old Town are some splendid exclusive apartments, each with their own character. It was here that the Romans founded Veneris Portus, the 'Port of Venus'. The magic of Liguria is based on the contrast between a narrow Mediterranean coastal strip and steep, barren mountains. Whether you walk this scenic landscape or explore it by train or ship, Liguria is a special dream of romance and beauty.
- Vienna was once Austria's seat of Empire, located in what is the very heart of Europe. The monumental Stephansdom is Vienna's most prominent landmark. The cathedral's three-sectioned hall, with its late Romanesque western side, was built at the beginning of the 14th Century, and its facade was only widened later when its steep roof was also re-built. The Wiener Hofburg is a large complex of buildings that contain various architectural styles dating from between the 13th and 19th centuries and was the Viennese residence and legislative center of the Habsburg Dynasty, the emperors of the 'Holy Roman Empire' of the German nation. Amid the vast terraces of the Wachau vineyards is the village of Weissenkirchen, in which several inns provide their customers with an ideal opportunity to sample the wines of this region. Wine growing has a long tradition in this section of the Danube, indeed, the area between Krems and Melk is one of the oldest cultivated landscapes in Austria. The Semmering Railway is a remarkable alpine railroad that has been operating for 150 years. The starting point of a fascinating journey is the town of Gloggnitz, that has around 7,000 inhabitants. The railway line to the Semmering Pass contains 16 viaducts, more than 100 bridges and 15 tunnels. Salzburg is rightfully proud of its most famous citizen, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as both his birthplace and residence are situated in the middle of the old town. Medieval Salzburg became the 'German Rome', an Early Baroque city whose architecture was influenced by Italian design, a city of art, faith and flamboyant culture. Due to the exquisite taste of the royal archbishops of that glorious time, today Salzburg is one of the most beautiful Baroque cities in what is one of the finest countries in Europe.
- South East Asia is a fascinating, atmospheric and exotic world full of unspoiled nature and cultural treasures. A region in which both past and present live side by side and unite in a wonderful way. Myanmar, the Land of Golden Pagodas: for decades the rulers of what was once known as Burma closed the country's doors to the outside world and many of its fine religious sanctuaries were badly neglected but they have now gradually been given the respect that they deserve. Inlay Lake is home to the Inthas, one of the many tribes that came to Myanmar from various of South East Asia's neighboring countries. Throughout the area are the floating plantations of the Inthas on which tomatoes, cucumbers and beans are cultivated. A journey on the Shan State Express provides passengers with a fascinating insight into the life of the Shan people whose lives are dominated by agriculture. The northwest of Myanmar is known for its many splendid sacred buildings such as Mingun's Hsinbyume Pagoda, that was built at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It was constructed according to the architectural rules of Hindu Buddhist cosmology and symbolizes the World Mountain of Meru. One of Taiwan's most important centers of arts and crafts is located in the west of the island, Lukang, an ancient and idyllic town full of age-old traditions whose large number of beautiful temples is most impressive. In Cambodia and around 40 kilometers north of Phnom Penh, is the former capital city of Udong. Today, only the remains of the city's former splendid buildings indicate that it was the last center of Angkor's power with hundreds of dwellings and temples. The ruins of Ayutthaya indicate the impressive dimensions of the former capital of ancient Thailand and one of the mightiest royal cities in South East Asia.
- At first sight, there are few traces of this ancient and legendary place in northwest Libya but it once had three great cities, Sabratha, Leptis Magna and Oea. Tripoli, once named Oea, dates back to the 7th Century B.C. when Tripoli was an important trading center for the Carthaginians. As much as anything else, it is the local plants, majestic palm trees and impressive cacti that give Tripoli its Mediterranean atmosphere. Clearly, the influence of the sea is only present close to the coast, as a few kilometers inland is endless desert. An eye-catching landmark that dates back to the time of the corsairs is the Citadel in Tripoli's harbor. The Arabs enlarged the original Byzantine complex to a fortress and for a short spell, the city fell into the hands of the Spanish. Sabratha is the youngest of the three great cities of Tripolitania. Thanks to much restoration work, the Theatre is one of the most impressive architectural monuments of this once legendary trading city. The restored facade of the Roman stage building is one of the most beautiful to be seen anywhere. Columns of green-white Cipollino Marble with artistic capitols underline the extraordinary architectural charm of Sabratha's ancient theatre. Around 120 kilometers east of Tripoli is Tripolitania's third ancient metropolis of Leptis Magna, a unique excavation site. The oldest finds in Leptis Magna were made in a Punic cemetery that had been built on by the Romans. Under the rule of Carthage, Leptis Magna became an important trading metropolis until it fell into the hands of the Numidians. The remains of the legendary Tripolitania of antiquity continue to inspire even today and are proof of a great and golden epoch.
- Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia form the geographical and cultural region of Indochina, a word created at the beginning of the 19th Century to highlight the influence of China and India on this part of South East Asia. Due to its magnificent natural landscapes and variety of historic sanctuaries, Vietnam is one of the most interesting counties in Asia and despite its 3 million inhabitants, the capital city of Hanoi has a relatively calm, old fashioned and provincial atmosphere. South of Hanoi, in the Gulf of Tonkin, the delta region of the Song Hong extends into one of the most beautiful natural miracles in the world, Ha Long Bay, in which both small traditional fishing boats and pleasure boats move between its 1,600 islands. Economically, Cambodia is a third world country but its many cultural treasures indicate its rich history. The country's most famous sanctuary is Angkor Wat, which measuring 1,200 meters long and 800 meters wide is the largest sacred building in the world. In Laos, that unlike Cambodia, has no access to the sea. Time seems to have stood still. With picturesque karst covered mountains as a backdrop, the small town of Vang Vieng enjoys a beautiful location and has developed into a popular tourist destination, especially with backpackers from all over the world who are in search of adventure. The Khmu Tribe is one of Laos' primeval peoples, that is the largest sub-group of the Lao Theung tribes, that earn their living mainly in agriculture by the planting of rice and coffee, as well as through animal breeding and hunting. Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia: three neighboring countries that form one of the most fascinating cultural areas in the world. Exotic gems with a dramatic history.
- The magnificent history of Siam began in 1253, when several small kingdoms in the north of the country united and thus laid the foundation for the first true kingdom of the Thai people. Bangkok, the present metropolis and capital of Thailand, first attained importance at the end of the 18th century under the newly developed Chakri Dynasty, when it became their seat of government. The epoch of the Chakri kings still exists today and although the great palace district no longer serves as the king's residence, it is still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok. Wat Suthat is located in the eastern district of old Angkok and is one of the city's oldest temples. Construction of the temple began shortly after the coronation of the first Chakri monarch, King Rama The First. Prior to its completion during the reign of King Rama The Third, three other kings were responsible for the creation of the Buddhist sanctuary that covers an area of more than 40,000 square meters. For more than four centuries, Ayutthaya was one of the most prosperous royal cities in Indochina prior to the time when the internal power struggles of various rival members of the country's royal family led to the city's decline. Wat Mahathat, one of the oldest sanctuaries of the ancient capital, has one of the tallest and most impressive towers in Ayutthaya. King Boromaracha The Second had the temple built in honor of his two brothers, who had killed each other in a bitter and bloody struggle for the royal throne. Buddhism has always played a vital role in Thailand's history. It continues to be highly influential to the present day. The remains of the 'Temple of the Seven Rows of Chedis', the Wat Chedi Jet Thaew, is the greatest Buddhist monastery in Si Satchanalai. Within its 32 stupas are the cremated remains of various members of the kings who ruled over the northern region of Siam. Even now, the legendary kingdom of Siam, along with its fascinating cultural heritage, age old traditions and outstanding historic monuments, has a substantial influence in the modern Thailand of today.
- The Jordan Desert is a beautiful, natural landscape and was once home to a legendary and mysterious people that fell into oblivion some centuries ago, the Nabateans, whose realm was at its zenith some 2,000 years ago and resulted in some of the most fascinating ruins of antiquity. Due to their remote and obscure location, the remains of Petra, a legendary Nabatean city of rock, were for many years merely regarded as a myth and only a few local Bedouin tribes knew of the existence of certain ancient buildings in the south of what is now Jordan. Both El-Barid and Petra were located in a very favorable position at the junction of several ancient trading routes that led from the Arabian Peninsula to as far as Anatolia and into today's Syria and Egypt. Caravan trains brought great wealth to the Nabatean realm. The technical knowledge and achievements of this ancient desert tribe were quite remarkable. Drains that were several kilometers long supplied the local population with fresh water, an essential commodity in the desert. One of the region's most famous natural landmarks is situated in the northern part of the Wadi Rum, The Seven Pillars Of Wisdom, a striking rock that was named after a novel by Lawrence Of Arabia. Inspired by the enthusiastic writings of the legendary secret agent, film director David Lean decided to shoot the film at the original locations mentioned by Lawrence. The shining color of the rocks and the fascinating desert landscape of the Wadi Rum have been made famous by the historic film. The conquest of this region by the Arabs in the middle of the 7th century marked the decline of the legendary rock city of Petra. For more than 1,000 years, the ruins of this ancient civilization lay hidden beneath the desert sands of Jordan before they once again revealed some of their secrets to a new and fascinated world.
- Surrounded by the Himalayas, the highest mountains in the world, lies a hidden treasure, the highlands of Tibet, one of the most fascinating regions on Earth. In Lhasa, the capital of Tibet that is also known as 'city of the gods', religion plays a special role in the lives of its population and hordes of pilgrims pack themselves into the sacred route that leads around the Jokhang Temple, Lhasa's most important sacred building. The origin of the most famous building in Lhasa is the Potala Palace that dates back to the time of Songtsen Gampo in 637 A.D. It became known worldwide mainly due to its function as having been the former seat of government of Tibet and as the official residence of the Dalai Lama. Drepung Monastery was once the richest monastery in Tibet, as can be seen by the abundant furnishings of the monastery, despite the dramatic events of the more recent past. In contrast with many other Tibetan monasteries, this holy district suffered little destruction and the Cultural Revolution that was forced upon Tibet by China only brought about a temporary lull in the life of the monastery. One of the biggest and most important monuments of Tibet's sacred architecture is the amazing Kumbum Chorten, a three-dimensional mandala that can be entered. After the ritual journey through Kumbum Chorten, the route symbolically passes through the entire Buddhist path of deliverance to as far as Nirvana. Tibet, the 'land of holy monks', on the roof of the world, has a truly unique atmosphere and is most certainly a land that breathes original beauty and remarkable monastery culture.
- East Africa is one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the world and its magnificent wilderness and fascinating wildlife is one of the few remaining unspoiled regions on earth. Lake Naivasha is the ideal habitat for both the rare Fish Eagle and African Eagle, thus it is a perfect location from which to observe these fascinating birds. Due to its rich variety of wildlife and the spectacular beauty of its landscape, Kenya is one of Africa's most popular safari destinations. The Massai Mara National Park is located around six hours from Nairobi and is one of the country's most extraordinary game reserves. Its name indicates the presence of one of Africa's most colorful tribes, the Massai. The Amboseli National Park also contains many of East Africa's most important landscapes and represents the magnificence of the African flora and fauna that grows in this relatively small, protected area. The local wildlife stays at a safe distance from the geysers of Lake Bogoria, as the steaming hot springs can prove fatal for the flamingos and other water birds that live there. Nevertheless, quite often, the bones of dead animals can be seen close to the geysers as some venture too close and are killed by the hot steam. At an altitude of nearly 6,000 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent. For most of the time, its summit is covered by a dense ring of cloud that gives the mountain an air of mystique. There are few other places on earth that offer the huge variety of nature as does the legendary east of the African continent. A magical destination and a wild natural paradise that is second to none.
- No other European country is as influenced by the interplay of both water and land as Finland. The impressive beauty of its unspoiled scenery is plain to see and yet most of Finland, despite each wonderful aspect of its natural landscape, is still sparsely populated. Its endless forests truly make Finland one of Europe's last great wildernesses. Only in Finland's modern capital of Helsinki does the population exceed more than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer. The city's cathedral has become one of the most famous landmarks in Helsinki that, along with the general ground plan of the entire city, can be traced back to a Prussian. Carl Ludwig Engel was the man responsible for the building and design of the Old Town and Classical Helsinki was born. Due to their strategic location, the islands of Suomenlinna, just outside Helsinki, played a central role in the country's defenses and were transformed into a huge fortress. Finland particularly lives up to its reputation as 'The Land of a Thousand Lakes'. In Karelia, huge forests have created a prosperous paper-making industry. Saimaa Lake is the fourth largest lake in Europe and covers an area of 4,300 square kilometers and together with several adjoining lakes, it is the largest body of lakeland in Europe. In the 1920s, the local media spread the word that Santa Claus did not live at the North Pole but in the extreme north of Finland. Since then, the Santa Claus Village has become a huge commercial success. The Santa Claus Post Office is open throughout the entire year, to both young and old alike and several shops offer a large range of souvenirs. With around 120,000 inhabitants, Oulu is the sixth largest city in Finland. Unlike the solitude of Lapland, the popular shopping center of Rotuaari has all the atmosphere of a major city. The extreme north of Europe is one of the last great natural habitats of this otherwise densely populated continent. Thus, the magnificent splendor of Suomi lives on right up until the present day.