Punkaharju is a rural district with about 4000 inhabitants and it is situated about 30 kilometres east of the Savonlinna town. The name Punkaharju contains the Finnish word harju that means esker/ ridge in English. Punkaharju is also a 7-kilometer-long esker formed during the Ice Age when the huge masses of ice moved and carried soil with them. This narrow chain of ridges with lakes on both sides is a conservation area. Its scenery has also inspired many artists, and the landscape is an example of the Finnish national heritage landscape.