The landscape of Vaasa is formed by watersheds, valleys and the slopes between them. Chains of hummocks and the depressions between them form the basic framework of the landscape. The coastal zone and archipelago are also an important part of the landscape, continually shaped by land uplift.
Watersheds and slopes
The highest points of the hummocks, i.e. the watersheds, are gentle and low and often rocky moraine hills. They form an extensive, web-like whole and direct runoff along gentle slopes to the lowest valley areas. The chains of hummocks mainly run from south to north
The hummocks have barren, low-nutrient soils. Exposed bedrock also emerges in many places on the summits of the hummocks. The hummocks are covered by forest. Forest type varies from dry and barren pine forests on the rocky summits to somewhat more fertile, fresh heath forests on the slopes.
Valleys
The valleys between the hummocks are thick with layers of clay, fertile and flat areas that were brought into cultivation almost immediately after the land rose from the sea. Land uplift has created wetland depressions in some valleys or small lakes detached from the sea.
The valleys extend as green wedges to the seashore and serve as important green areas and ecological corridors in the urban environment. The valleys and their parts that reach the shore are Vaasa’s most lush and diverse nature.
Previously open agricultural valleys made the landscape clear and easy to read. Nowadays some former fields are becoming wooded, which will make the landscape structure harder to perceive in the future.
Coastline and settlement in the landscape
The shoreline in front of Vaasa is shallow and is constantly changing due to land uplift. The shore is sheltered by the archipelago, but it is windy and exposed to fluctuations in sea level. Construction is mainly located on the hummocks and slope areas. The valleys have mostly remained as recreational areas or as uncultivated fields and wetlands. The highest rocky points have also often been left outside development.
