Lahti, city, southern Finland, at the southern end of Vesijärvi Lake. A winter-sports center with annual ski meets, the city has a ski stadium, multi-purpose sports hall, ice stadium, and several ski slopes in the vicinity. The World Ski Championships of 1978 and 1989 were held at Lahti. The city is located in an extensive timber area and is the center of the Finnish furniture industry, with lumber, plywood, and spool mills. Machine products, glass, textiles, matches, tools, and beer are also produced. Nearby, to the north, is the lake port of Vesijärvi, from which steamers ply the extensive Lake Päijänne waterway system. The city is also linked to Vesijärvi by rail and the Vesijärven Canal. Lahti is the site of art and folk museums, a church designed by Alvar Aalto, a municipal theater, a concert hall, and the largest radio transmitter in Finland. The city hall (1912) was designed by the Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. Founded in 1878, the city was incorporated in 1905. Population (2000 estimate) 96,666.
