Kainuu

Kainuu [ kɑi̯nu ː ] ( swedish Kajanaland ) is a landscape ( Maakunta ) in Finland.

Geography

Kainuu is located in Northern Finland on the eastern border with Russia. Neighboring landscapes of North Karelia and North Savo and Northern Ostrobothnia in the south to the west and north. The area of ​​Kainuu is 24,453 km ², the population of about 80,000 inhabitants. The largest city is Kajaani. Kainuu is populated and characterized by forests, moors and lakes very thin with a population density of 4 people per square kilometer. The largest lakes are Oulujärvi, Nuasjärvi, Ontojärvi, Lentua and Kiantajärvi. Kainuu is one of the poorest regions of Finland.

History

The town Kajaani was founded in 1651 by Per Brahe the Younger. The economy of Kainuu was characterized by the raw materials of the forest: wood and tar, which were transported by water to the harbor in Oulu. Agriculture is limited due to the harsh climatic conditions possible. 1904 Kajaani was connected to the Finnish railway network. The route goes from Kuopio coming on to Oulu, another branch via the border station Vartius in the Russian city of Kostomuksha (only freight).

In the Winter War were heavy fighting in the border region of Kainuu place, especially the Battle of Suomussalmi ( fight on Raatteentie ). These days there are in Vartius ( Kuhmo ) again an international border crossing to Russia. Here there is a small border traffic, especially in the form of daily shopping trips.

Today Kainuu is one of the most deprived areas of the country and reported a strong migration to the boom regions of Finland.

Culture and sights

Culturally playing for Kainuu Finland quite a significant role. In the first half of the 19th century, the Finnish doctor Elias Lönnrot made ​​trips to the region to gather traditional tales in song form. This resulted among its processing, the Finnish national epic Kalevala. The Finnish writer and the poet Eino Ilmari Kianto Leino come from Kainuu.

The winter sports area Vuokatti (municipality Sotkamo ) attracts travelers from all over Finland. In summer, the Chamber Music Festival has a high international reputation in Kuhmo. In Kuhmo there as a tourist attraction and a Kalevala village where life is represented in earlier, pre-Christian times. The National Parks and Hiidenportti Tiilikkajärvi are wholly or partly in Kainuu.

Policy

On 1 January 2005 a regional administrative reform was launched in Kainuu for an eight-year trial period, were transferred at the date municipal and governmental responsibilities to the newly elected regional representation.

Coat of arms

Blazon: " divided by gold, green and gold, the top of the fir -section, the bottom of the shaft section. "

• See also coat of arms of Kainuu region of Finland

Communities

Kainuu consists of nine communities, including two cities (in bold). Population figures as at 31 December 2009.