Hanko is a town located on the southern coast of Finland in the western part of the Uusimaa region, with a population of approximately 8,000 inhabitants, making it the 121st most populous municipality in the country. Known as the "city by the sea," Hanko holds the distinction of being Finland's southernmost city and serves as a port town featuring a notable archipelago.
The town has historical significance as an emigration point; thousands of Finns departed from Hanko during the 1920s and 1930s, primarily settling in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin in the United States. Hanko is officially bilingual, with both Finnish (Hanko) and Swedish (Hangö) names used for locations, reflecting the region's Swedish heritage. The town features multiple beaches suitable for summer swimming, seaside rocks popular for hiking, and a historic wooden casino building facing the Baltic Sea.
As a coastal destination, Hanko offers natural attractions including its crescent beach and opportunities for outdoor recreation. The town is situated relatively close to Turku and within reach of the Baltic's extensive archipelago of approximately 40,000 islands used for summer recreation.