Kokkola
Kokkola [ kɔk ɔlɑ ː ] (Swedish Kokkola [ kɑ ː ˌ by rlɛ ː ], to 1976 Gamlakarleby ) is a city on the west coast of Finland and the capital of the Central Ostrobothnia landscape. Kokkola has 46 779 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012), of which approximately 84.3 % and 13.4 % Finnish- Swedish speaking. Apart from the actual city in which more than two thirds of the population live, the Kokkola comprises an extensive area of nearly 1,500 square kilometers in the hinterland.
- 7.1 Management
- 8.1 Structures
- 8.2 parks
- 8.3 Sports
- 8.4 Regular events
- 9.1 Sons and daughters
- 9.2 died in Kokkola
Name
The Finnish name Kokkola means " Campfire " or "place of the eagle ", as the Finnish root word kokko can mean both the campfire as well as eagles, the suffix- la mean the place. Until 1 January 1977, the city under the Swedish name Gamlakarleby was known to the surrounding areas of the municipality Kaarlela (Swedish Kokkola ) were merged with the city of Kokkola, the city took over the Swedish name Kokkola. The meaning of " Old farm village" The word gamla means " old ", karl, meaning "man " or " peasant farmer " and by means " village or small town ," so was the English " Old Peasantville ". The Latin name was Carolina Vetus.
History
Kokkola was founded in 1620 by Gustav II Adolf of Sweden as a port city on the Gulf of Bothnia. 1765 saw Anders Chydenius ( 1729-1803 ) that the City's rights to conduct foreign trade received, the so-called stack rights, without mixing in Stockholm. Therefore Chydenius applies, which for democracy, equality and the respect for human rights fought, even as the most important citizens of Kokkola. During the 18th century, in Kokkola the great age of seafaring and Teerhandels. This also explains the tar trade arms of the city, a barrel of tar, from the ends and bung rise three flames. In the 19th century, then many industrial enterprises settled, which evolved into a major Kokkola education and training location.
In 1977, the community was incorporated Kaarlela. Early in 2009, followed by the incorporation of Lohtaja, Ullava and Kälviä.
Geography
Kokkola is located in West Central Ostrobothnia Finnish landscape on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, the northern part of the Baltic Sea. The next largest cities are 121 km south-west of Vaasa and Oulu 198 km north-east. The capital Helsinki is located 483 km south of the city Jakobstad (Finnish Pietarsaari ) is located 36 km from Kokkola removed and Jyväskylä 242 km. Neighboring cities and municipalities Kokkola are Kalajoki in the northeast, Kannus and Toholampi in the east, and Halsua Kaustinen the southeast, Kronoby (Finnish Kruunupyy ) in the south and Larsmo (Finnish Luoto ) in the southwest.
In addition to the actual core of the city is one of Kokkola since the incorporation of three neighboring communities in 2009, a vast area in the hinterland. Overall, the administrative city of Kokkola to the exclusion of marine areas has an area of 1486 km ². This Kokkola is geographically about the size of London. The largest part of this area is rural but structured.
The landscape in the area of Kokkola is, as is typical for the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, flat, and is criss-crossed by numerous rivers. The most important river is the Perhonjoki, north of the main town in the Gulf of Bothnia flows. The coast of Kokkola in front is a richly structured archipelago with the island Öja. Through the postglacial land uplift Kokkola steady wins added to the land area. Currently, the coast rises by about eight millimeters per year.
Population
At the turn of 2012/2013, the population was 46 773 Kokkola.
Kokkola marks the northern end of the Finland-Swedish settlement area on the west coast of Finland. From the city's residents speak 84.3 % Finnish and 13.4% Swedish as their mother tongue. The remaining 2.3% of the population speak Estonian, Russian or any other language. Thus Kokkola is officially bilingual with Finnish as majority and Swedish as a minority language. The approximately 6,300 Swedish-speaking inhabitants Kokkola are unevenly distributed throughout the city: while the core city is bilingual, Swedish is the majority in the villages in the immediate vicinity spoken. The further east rural areas, which were incorporated in 2009, however, are purely Finnish speakers. Street signs, and signs for daily needs are always advertised bilingually. City officials, preferably officials who are active in the town hall, must have language skills of Finnish and Swedish language feature.
Educational institutions
In Kokkola are several kindergartens, 25 Finnish-speaking and Swedish-speaking schools 8. The city also has three secondary schools for Finnish-speaking students, and one for Swedish-speaking. Some schools also offer dual vocational training. The Chydenius Institute of Kokkola ( " Chydenius Yliopistokeskus Kokkola " ) or " Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius " is the largest teaching and research institution in the town and works under the direction of the Universities of Jyväskylä, Vaasa and Oulu. The focus of the institution is in adult education. They offer Finnish and foreign students the opportunity to study the special continued education in the fields of social sciences, computer science, applied chemistry, business administration, health sciences and education.
The children of the Swedish-speaking population mostly caused by the Svenska School Kokkola. In this device, held every two years a student exchange with the Robert - Stock Gymnasium in Hagenow instead. This exchange will serve to deepen intercultural relations, the improvement of German language skills of the Finns, and the German students can learn a little Finnish. Students learn the country through a two -week internship and experience life in a host family. In addition, Finnish children in an English kindergarten bilingual grow and improve their language skills on the adjacent English primary school. The city of Kokkola library offers a good selection of literature in Finnish, Swedish and a variety of other languages.
Economy and infrastructure
The fertilizer industry, leather and fur processing, mechanical engineering and plastics industry have a great economic importance in Kokkola. But the boat building must not be forgotten. Thus, about 60 % of Finnish boat building industry in the area of Kokkola has focused. In addition, many companies in the metal and chemical industries have settled in the city, particularly strengthen export.
The largest employers are:
- The city of Kokkola (approximately 3,700 employees)
- The City Hospital of Kokkola (about 1,900 )
- Boliden Kokkola Oy ( about 540 )
- Freeport Copalt Oy (about 410)
- KPO, Retail ( about 420 )
- Halpa - Halli, retail (about 300)
- CABB Oy ( about 180 )
Traffic
By Kokkola leads the main north-south transport route of the Finnish railways. In addition, there are three main roads crossing in Kokkola: The VT 8 (Oulu - Turku ), VT 13 ( Kokkola - Jyväskylä - Lappeenranta ) and VT 28 ( Kokkola - Kajaani ). Located in Kokkola port is one of the most important on the Gulf of Finland. It is important for the local industry, as well as northern, central and eastern Finland and the neighboring country of Russia. The length of its docks is 2,270 m.
Policy
Management
The strongest faction in the city council of Kokkola, the highest decision-making authority in local affairs, represents the Center Party, which at the municipal election in 2012 almost a third of the vote and 14 out of 51 deputies submits. The second largest group are the Social Democrats with ten deputies. The Coalition Party, one of the great parties of the country, takes accounts of the number of its seven MPs asked, 3rd place, followed by the Swedish People's Party to the six seats. This party is the traditional representation of Finland Sweden represents the Christian Democrats are comparatively well represented with five seats in the city council. Furthermore, represented in the City Council are the leftist coalition with two, the True Finns with a high number of five and the green belt with two deputies. The City Manager 's Antti Isotalus Kokkola.
Culture and sights
Kokkola provides a good cultural activities. It is characterized mainly by rock, jazz and classical music. There is also a large theater offering in Finnish and Swedish. The " Ostrobothnische chamber orchestra", founded by the conductor Juha Kangas is popular both in Finland and outside the country, with 82 performances, 70 of them in Kokkola and more than 17 470 listeners in 2012, of which 13,034 in Kokkola, one of the most listened to orchestra Finland. In the fall of 2013 begins as artistic director of the orchestra conductor Sakari Oramo. From modern to old familiar barockischen and romantic sounds, this orchestra is an adventure for every listener.
Structures
In 1805 there was a big fire in Kokkola, where the first town hall of the city burned down. The second Town Hall was sacked by Russian soldiers. Then it was demolished because of his poor general condition and the lack of space. Finally, in 1841, was the third town hall, designed by Carl Ludwig Engel; it is still seen today in the square of Mannerheim.
Also worth seeing is the old school building from 1696 in which a historical museum is housed. It is the only surviving wooden house profane Finland and one of the oldest wooden houses in Scandinavia. Next door is a smaller house, the house of Lassander, which was built in 1748. In it, the visitor can see how a merchant family lived in Kokkola beginning of the 18th century. In the same yard where the old school building and the house of Lassander are, there is yet another outstanding home that K. -H.- Renlunds Museum. The house was built in 1818 and is home to ever-changing art exhibitions.
On the Katarinaplatz ( Katariinantori ) in Kokkola also several attractions can be visited. Below is the Municipal Theatre, built in 1927, an old water tower and a gas station from 1931 to whose appearance has not been changed since the establishment. It is the oldest gas station in Finland. Can also be seen in the square the sculpture The seals of Charles G. Nylund from the year 1970.
In the old town Neristan been around for centuries, a variety of colorful wooden houses, which serve both as a residential area as well as sight. The bustling area offers some nice restaurants, cafes, accommodation and boutiques. This historic center of the city canal " Suntti " where there is a water organ in the summer every night flows.
Furthermore, interest is the lighthouse island Tankar which is about 18 km northwest of Kokkola in the archipelago. On this island there is the lighthouse itself, a fisherman's chapel, the seal hunt museum, nature trails and a summer restaurant and plenty of accommodation. The island is easily accessible by the m / s from Jenny of Kokkola.
In Kaarlela is a medieval stone church ( Church of Kaarlela ) from the early 16th century, which is used by two Lutheran churches. It serves both Finnish-speaking and Swedish-speaking parishioners.
Parks
The Chydenius Park, opened in 1860 and was dedicated to the priest and politician Anders Chydenius. From this is also since 1903 a statue in the park to visit, which was designed by Valter Runeberg. The park was initially as Nya Park ( German: New park ), Kärlekens lund ( German: Love grove ) or Östra Parking ( German: East Park ) is known.
The Länsipuisto ( German: Western Park ) is a counterpart of the Chydenius parks and was built in 1860. In it, the monument tidal wave is considered, that was designed in 1973 by Karl G. Nylund and to commemorate Dr. Einar Cederberg.
Sports
From Kokkola hockey club Hermes, who plays in the third highest league Finnish (Suomi - sarja ) comes. In addition, out of the city football clubs Kokkolan Palloveikot ( KPV), which plays in the second-highest Finnish League ( Ykkönen ), and Gamlakarleby Bollklubb (GBK ), in the third höchstenen Finnish League ( Kakkonen ) is active. Furthermore, Kokkola is also represented on the volleyball with the team Kokkolan Tiikerit, which play in the highest Finnish volleyball league for men ( Lentopallon Mestaruusliiga ).
Regular events
Every year on the last weekend in August, the Kokkolan Venetsialaiset ( Venetian Nights ) and thus the end of the summer house period to be celebrated. At this time, fire missiles and lights adorn the beaches. As a framework program there are events, such as theater, concerts and Harvest Festival.
Personalities
Sons and daughters
- Mikko Juva E. (1918-2004), historian, theologian and politician
- Bjarne Kallis (* 1945), politician
- Marjaleena Lembcke (* 1945), writer
- Markku Salminen (1946-2004), orientation and long-distance runners
- Juha Ahokas (born 1969 ), wrestler
- Pia Sundstedt (* 1975), mountain biker, cross-country skier and cyclist
- Tuomas Uusimäki ( b. 1977 ), football player
- Teemu Aalto (born 1978 ), ice hockey player
- Miika Koppinen (born 1978 ), football player
- Eerikki Koivu ( born 1979 ), ice hockey player
- Henri Myntti ( b. 1982 ), football player
Died in Kokkola
- Unlike Chydenius (1729-1803), priest, politician, economist and philosopher
- Jackson Haines (1840-1876), Ballet master and figure skaters
- Viljami Kalliokoski (1894-1978), politician
- Mika Myllylä (1969-2011), cross-country skiers
Twinning
Kokkola is twinned with the following cities:
- United States Fitchburg (USA)
- Denmark Fredericia (Denmark)
- People's Republic of China Fushun (China)
- Hungary Hatvan (Hungary )
- Boldog Hungary (Hungary )
- Härnösand Sweden (Sweden)
- Norway Kristiansund ( Norway)
- Marijampolė Lithuania (Lithuania )
- Mörbylånga Sweden (Sweden)
- Germany Ratingen ( Germany )
- Canada Greater Sudbury (Canada)
- Ullånger Sweden (Sweden)
- Averøy Norway (Norway )
- Estonia Järva -Jaani (Estonia)
- Ambla Estonia (Estonia)