Kuopio

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Coat of Arms of Kuopio

Kuopio is a Finnish city located in the province of Eastern Finland and the region of Northern Savonia. A population of over 90,000 makes it the 8th biggest city in the country. The city has a total area of 1,730 km², of which 805 km² is water and half forest. The population density is only 52 inhabitants/km², but the center of the city is populated very densely, even comparable to the Helsinki metropolitan area. The population of the whole Kuopio region is about 120,000.

Kuopio was founded in 1653 by Governor Peter Brahe, but the official date is recognized as November 17, 1775, when King Gustav III of Sweden ordered the establishment of the city of Kuopio. The municipality of Vehmersalmi joined the city of Kuopio on January 1st 2005 like the municipality of Kuopion Maalaiskunta in 1969 and the municipality of Riistavesi in 1973.

Central Kuopio from the Puijo tower
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Central Kuopio from the Puijo tower

The city is surrounded by lake Kallavesi, and several parts of it are built on islands. Kuopio is known for its association with a national delicacy, Finnish fish pastry (Kalakukko), and the dialect of Savo, as well as the hill of Puijo and the Puijo tower. Besides being a very popular outdoor recreation area, Puijo serves also as a stage for a yearly World Cup ski jumping competition.

The traffic connections are good, including Pendolino trains and air service from Finnair and Blue1.

Kuopio City Hall, built in 1882-1886 during a Fair Day.
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Kuopio City Hall, built in 1882-1886 during a Fair Day.


Contents

[edit] Education and business

Kuopio has always been a school town. Some of the first schools offering education in Finnish (eg. School for the Blind in 1871, Trade School in 1887) were established in Kuopio. Currently the most important institutions are the University of Kuopio, the Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Vocational College of Northern Savonia and the Kuopio department of the Sibelius Academy.

Kuopio is known as a strong center of health (e.g. it has the biggest yearly enrollment rate of medical students in Finland), environment, food & nutrition (all legalized Clinical and Public Health Nutritionists in Finland graduate from University of Kuopio), safety (education in Emergency Services is centered in Kuopio [1]) and welfare professions, as the major organisations University of Kuopio, Savonia University of Applied Sciences and Technology Centre Teknia are particularly oriented to those areas.

There are about 3 800 enterprises in Kuopio, of which circa 150 are export companies. These provide nearly 40 000 jobs. [2] As of January 1st 2006, the biggest employers of the city are: Town of Kuopio (5 977 employees), Kuopio University Hospital (KUH; in Finnish KYS) (4 166), University of Kuopio (1 595), Savo Consortium for Education (636), Niuvanniemi hospital (596), PeeÄssä Coop (572), Finland Post Group (527), ISS (478) and Atria PLC (350).

Technology Centre Teknia Ltd., Kuopio Business Park
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Technology Centre Teknia Ltd., Kuopio Business Park

[edit] People and culture

Kuopio is known as the cultural center of Eastern Finland. A wide range of musical (from kindergarten to doctorate-level studies) and dance education is available and the cultural life is active. Notable events include Kuopio Dance Festival, Kuopio Wine Festival and Finland Ice Marathon.

In Finland the inhabitants of Kuopio have a special reputation: they are known as jovial and verbally joking. People of Kuopio region and Eastern Finland have always had many health problems and the mortality has been higher than on an average in Finland.

During the 2000s Kuopio has placed very well in many image, popularity and city-attractiveness -queries. It has always been near the top among the Finnish cities.

Puijo tower, built in 1963 (3nd, 2nd from 1906 was demolished when this was completed, 1st was built in 1856)
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Puijo tower, built in 1963 (3nd, 2nd from 1906 was demolished when this was completed, 1st was built in 1856)

[edit] Notable persons

The Fighting Capercaillies by Ferdinand von Wright in 1886 is one of Finland's best known paintings.
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The Fighting Capercaillies by Ferdinand von Wright in 1886 is one of Finland's best known paintings.

[edit] Sports in Kuopio

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 62°53′33″N, 27°40′42″E

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