Rantsila

Rantsila [ rɑntsilɑ ] (Swedish historically Frantsila ) is a former municipality in north-western Finland. It is located about 60 km south of the city of Oulu in Northern Ostrobothnia landscape.

The settlement was founded in the 16th century and is named after the first names are known landlords of the village, a certain Frans Erkinpoika named. The municipality was founded in 1867 and next to the village church Rantsila includes the villages Kerälä, Mankila, Savaloja, and Sipola. About 70 % of the municipal area is occupied by forests and swamps; Forestry and wood processing industries are important economic sectors.

1775-1790 Kristfrid was Ganander pastor of Rantsila; he created during this time here the first Finnish dictionary and collected Finnish legends, riddles and folk songs, to which in the 19th century Elias Lönnrot fell back.

At the beginning of 2009, Rantsila joined with the municipalities Kestilä, Piippola and Pulkkila together for new community Siikalatva.