Korkeasaari facts for kids
A snowy owl in Korkeasaari
|
|
| Date opened | 1889 |
|---|---|
| Location | Helsinki, Finland |
| Land area | 22 ha (54 acres) |
| Coordinates | 60°10′30″N 024°59′03″E / 60.17500°N 24.98417°E |
| No. of species | 150 |
| Memberships | EAZA |
Korkeasaari Zoo is the biggest zoo in Finland. It is located on an island called Korkeasaari in Helsinki. The island's name means "Tall Island" in Finnish. Many people just call the zoo by the island's name, Korkeasaari.
Korkeasaari is a rocky island that is about 22 hectares big. You can reach the zoo all year round by walking across a bridge from the Mustikkamaa area in Helsinki. In the summer, you can also take a fun ferry or water bus to the island. These boats leave from the Market Square and Hakaniemi.
Korkeasaari Zoo is one of the most popular places to visit in Helsinki. The zoo has around 200 different kinds of animals. It also has about 1,000 different types of plants! The animals are grouped together based on where they come from in the world.
History of Korkeasaari Zoo
Korkeasaari island was a popular spot for people from Helsinki long before the zoo opened. People used the island for fun activities like picnics and dancing as early as 1569. It was also used for fishing and keeping farm animals.
In the 19th century, the island was used to store wood. During the Crimean War, it became a military area. But in 1864, the city of Helsinki got the island back. They started boat trips to the island. A restaurant, dance floor, and bowling alley were built for visitors.
Helsinki Zoo first opened its doors in 1889. When it first started, the zoo mostly showed animals that were common in Finland.
Amazing Animals at Korkeasaari
The zoo is home to many different mammals and birds. You can also see reptiles, fish, and even invertebrates (animals without backbones). The Amazonia building has a special area with aquariums for fish.
The zoo chooses animals that can live comfortably in the climate of Finland. This means you won't see animals like elephants, rhinoceros, or hippopotamuses. These animals need warmer weather all year.
Sometimes, the zoo has special "night walks." These walks let visitors see owls and other animals that are active at night. It's a great way to see them when they are most awake!
Images for kids
-
Sacrificial stone in Korkeasaari
-
The restaurant designed by Theodor Höijer, photographed in the 1900s.
-
The same restaurant building, still in use today.
-
A ferry taking visitors to the Zoo in the 1920s.
-
The old Bear Castle building is still at the zoo, but bears don't live there anymore.
-
The current Bear Castle where bears live now.
-
The modern tropical building, Africasia, built in 2003.
-
Old buildings and architecture can still be found at the zoo.
-
The bridge that connects Korkeasaari island to Mustikkamaa.
.jpg)
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Korkeasaari para niños
