Struve Geodetic Arc: Oravivuori Arc Point

The Arc’s history and legacy

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The Struve Geodetic Arc (1816–1855) was the first large-scale international effort to precisely measure a long meridian arc and therefore measure the earth's shape. The arc spans over 2,800 km from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea.

 

Led by Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve, this project involved scientists and monarchs from multiple countries and significantly advanced geodesy, by confirming the Earth's oblate spheroid shape – flattened at the poles.

 

While previous meridian measurements had been conducted, such as the French Geodetic Missions in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Struve Arc was the most extensive and accurate at the time, marking a major milestone in scientific collaboration and cartography.

 

Arc’s triangulation points 

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The Arc extends through ten countries and encompasses four points in Norway, four in Sweden, six in Finland, two in Russia, three in Estonia, two in Latvia, three in Lithuania, five in Belarus, one in Moldova and four in Ukraine.

 

Lake and landscape

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This tour is ideal for nature and history enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities from paddling around the stunning Lake Päijänne to hiking to the Oravivuori observation tower, with breathtaking views that will make you pause and think about the vastness of this Earth that we call home.