Saimaa is a lake in southeastern
Finland. At approximately , it is the largest
lake in Finland, and the
fourth largest natural freshwater lake in Europe. It was formed by
glacial melting at the end of the
Ice Age. Major
towns on the lakeshore include
Lappeenranta,
Imatra,
Savonlinna,
Mikkeli,
Varkaus, and
Joensuu. The
Vuoksi River flows from Saimaa to
Lake Ladoga. Most of the lake is spotted with islands, and narrow canals divide the lake in many parts, each having their own names (major basins include Suur-Saimaa,
Orivesi,
Puruvesi,
Haukivesi,
Yövesi,
Pihlajavesi, and
Pyhäselkä).