Järvi

Definition

The Finnish word for lake, and the ending of many place names. A study in the journal Fennia counts almost 188,000 lakes of more than five ares (500 m²) in Finland, which is why järvi appears on nearly every regional map. Lakes are often linked by channels, rivers and short canals, so a chain of järvi can form a long water route for canoes and passenger boats. A name ending in -järvi tells you the water is the main landmark. See also: lampi, joki, salmi, and the guide Lakeland Finland: A Practical Guide to Lake Travel.