Martinlaakso

Martinlaakso Mårtensdal
City District
Office buildings in Martinlaakso
Location on the map of Vantaa, with the district in red and the Myyrmäki major region in light brown
Coordinates: 60°17′00″N 24°51′00″E / 60.28333°N 24.85000°E / 60.28333; 24.85000Coordinates: 60°17′00″N 24°51′00″E / 60.28333°N 24.85000°E / 60.28333; 24.85000
Country	Finland
City	Vantaa
Major region	Myyrmäki
Area
• Total	3.7 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Population (1.1.2014)
• Total	11,811
• Density	3,200/km2 (8,300/sq mi)
Time zone	GMT +2
Postal Code(s)	01620
Website	www.vantaa.fi/frontpage/

Martinlaakso (Swedish: Mårtensdal) is a district in Vantaa, Finland. Located in the Myyrmäki major region, it is the second most populous district in all of Vantaa, after Myyrmäki itself. In 2014, Martinlaakso had a population of 11,811, narrowly beating out Hakunila.

Martinlaakso has two railway stations, Martinlaakso railway station and Vantaankoski railway station, as well as a medical center, several shopping areas, and a comprehensive school (lower level [6 years] and upper level [three years]) and an upper secondary school. It is the birthplace of former Formula One drivers Mika Häkkinen and Mika Salo. Current Formula One star Kimi Räikkönen also spent a part of his childhood in Martinlaakso.

Martinlaakso is the home for Martinkeskus, which was the largest shopping center in the Nordic countries at the time of its completion in 1960s. Another shopping center in the area is Martinlaakson Ostari, which was completed in 2011.

Martinlaakso is situated on the grounds of the former town of Martinkylä, which had existed with a stable population since the 16th century. The name, which was originally only the Swedish Mårtensby, derives from the name Mårten (Martti), who was likely a notable inhabitant or founder of the town. Settlements in the nearby Espoo and Sipoo also shared the name Mårtensby, so to avoid confusion, the Vantaa settlement was renamed Mårtensdal (Martinlaakso), and the Espoo settlement was renamed Mårtensbro (Martinsilta). The settlement in Sipoo retained its name.

In 1975, the extension of the Helsinki commuter rail to western Vantaa was completed, and with it, the Martinlaakso railway station opened. In 1991, the Vantaankoski railway station was also opened in the district, making Martinlaakso the only district in Greater Helsinki with two railway stations. Starting July 2015, the Ring Rail Line will run through Martinlaakso. It will connect the district to Helsinki Airport and Tikkurila.