out, the city is again among the best 45 cities in the world in the WWF City Challenge 2016. One of the goals is to reduce carbon dioxide by 30% by 2020 and zero emissions by 2050. Economy The city's main employers are the: City of Lappeenranta Fazer Lappeenranta University of Technology Nordkalk Paroc Metso Outotec South Karelia Social and Health Care District The Armed Forces UPM-Kymmene VR Group Tourism Lappeenranta is known as a summer city, mostly due to its closeness to the Lake Saimaa. Europe's 4th largest lake. The eponymous GoSaimaa (www.gosaimaa.com) provides all the touristic activities in the area. In addition, its inland location means that summers tend to be warmer and winters colder than along the coastal areas. Lappeenranta does have a healthy winter tourism industry. Various cabins around Lake Saimaa, as well as numerous snowmobiles, Nordic skating, floating in the river, reindeer rides, paragliding, skiing and sledding tracks draw a fair number of winter visitors. The proximity of the Russian border is increasingly evident in the number of Russian tourists visiting the city. In fact, Lappeenranta is closer to Saint Petersburg () than it is to Helsinki, the capital of Finland (). The presence of Russian tourists is noticeable by the many Russian registered cars on the streets and the use of Cyrillic letters in signs of some shops. Places and events The old fortress, with a number of museums, cafés and the oldest Russian Orthodox church in Finland. St. Mary's Church of Lappee, an 18th-century wooden church in the center of the city. The harbour area, with cruises to Vyborg and the nearby Saimaa Canal. The central market place, where you can enjoy the local specialities, such as meat pies known as "Atomi" (atom) or "Vety" (hydrogen). The Night of The Fortess, a two-day cultural festival held in early August. The Lappeenranta Ballet Gala in late August. The annual Lappeenranta National Singing Contest. The biggest sand castle in Finland is built next to Port of Lappeenranta every summer. There are three private cinema theatres in Lappeenranta: Kino-Aula, Nuijamies and Finnkino. Major league home games in ice-hockey (SaiPa), basketball (Namika Lappeenranta) and other sports. The IIHF World Championship Under 18, in 2014 Unlimited Racing Event, on 27 and 29 June 2014 Sports Lappeenranta has several sports teams playing in top levels of Finnish sports leagues. SaiPa is an Ice hockey team playing in the highest