Hiekän

Hiekän is a Finnish term that translates to "sand" in English. It refers to a granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. The composition of hiekän can vary depending on its origin, but commonly includes quartz, feldspar, and mica. Its texture is characterized by its coarseness, which is finer than gravel but coarser than silt. Hiekän is naturally found in various environments, including beaches, riverbeds, deserts, and glacial deposits.

In Finnish culture and everyday life, hiekän plays several roles. It is often used in construction as an aggregate for concrete and mortar, providing bulk and strength. It is also utilized in landscaping and gardening, where it can improve drainage and aeration of soil. Furthermore, hiekän is a common material for children's playgrounds, forming the surface for sandboxes where they can play and build. The accumulation of hiekän can also be a factor in coastal erosion and dune formation.