Päijät-Häme[2] (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈpæi̯j(ː)æt̪ˌhæme̞(ʔ)]; Swedish: Päijänne-Tavastland) is a region in Southern Finland south of the lake Päijänne.

Finland's second-largest, Lake Päijänne, dominates the region, offering a vast freshwater expanse and a vital transportation route.

Rolling hills provide scenic views, while numerous smaller lakes and rivers create a network of waterways.

The last Ice Age carved the land, leaving ridges (Salpausselkä) and large lakes (Finnish Lakeland).

The 1800s brought a boom in agriculture, with cultivated land tripling and industries like flax farming and cattle raising flourishing.

Manor houses played a crucial role in rural life until World War I, with some later being divided into new farms.

As transportation networks evolved, settlement patterns shifted, with Lahti emerging as the dominant population center.

Water remained the primary mode of transportation for centuries, with some villages even shifting their centers to be closer to navigable routes.

Heinola, for example, benefitted from its location near the Kymijoki River, which facilitated industrial growth once railways arrived.

In laymen's terms: The coat of arms sports a depiction of the ancient water goddess Vellamo as a mermaid, with a cuckoo.