Parikkala
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Parikkala municipality of Finland |
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| Founded | 1635 | ||||||
| Country | Finland | ||||||
| Province | Southern Finland | ||||||
| Region | South Karelia | ||||||
| Sub-region | Kärkikunnat | ||||||
| Area - Of which land - Rank |
760,96 km² 593,42 km² ranked 111th |
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| Population - Density - Change (year) - Rank |
6,141 (Jan 31 2007)[1] 10.4 inh./km² - 0.01% (from 2005) ranked 172nd |
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| Official language | Finnish | ||||||
| Unemployment | 14.3% | ||||||
| City Manager | Alpo Kosunen | ||||||
| Home page | http://www.parikkala.fi/ | ||||||
Parikkala is a municipality of Finland.
It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the South Karelia region. The municipality has a population of 6,149 (2007) and covers an area of 760.90 km² of which 167.7 km² is water. The population density is 10.4 inhabitants per km².
The municipality is unilingually Finnish.
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[edit] History
Parikkala is located around lake Simpele and it is a part of countryside rich of hills and chains of ridges. From Parikkala have been found settlements and artifacts dated to stone age and also arfifacts from bronze age. Permanent settlement was established round 15th century. Many demarcations had a significant impact to Parikkala's development from Treaty of Nöteborg August 12, 1323 to peace treatys signed 1947 with Soviet Union. After WWII 1/3 (199.3km²) of Parikkala's area was handed over to Soviet Union. Orthodoxy has been very influential in this area since middle ages. Later on Parikkala's has become known of it's many dairys. Parikkala's congrecation came independent in year 1617. In the year 2004 Three municipalities (Parikkala, Saari and Uukuniemi) ceased to exist and they formed one municipality called Parikkala.
[edit] Education
Comprehensive school was founded 1907 and it was one of the first ruralschools to be founded in Karelia of Ladoga. In the year 1910 was first three classed school building built, later on it expanded to consist a gymnasium, hall and kitchen. Grand piano was provided to the hall of school, famous finnish artist Toivo Kuula and Oskar Merikanto kept their concerts there when visiting Parikkala. Upper secondary school started in the year 1940 and first class graduated in the year 1943. Largest number of pupils were in the 50's, when over 500 pupils attended school there. Today in all Parikkala district schools there are 536 pupils.
[edit] Traveling and Routes
Parikkala is located in between the main railwayline from Helsinki to Joensuu. Railway station is in the middle of Parikkala village center. Traveling time is about three and half hours from Helsinki. All passenger trains stop at Parikkala. If you want to go to Savonlinna, which is one of the nearest cities, you have to switch trains at Parikkala. City of Imatra is about 60 km south of Parikkala.
[edit] Accommodation
2 km to south from the center of the village next to highway 6 there is traditional Karelian building called Kägönen. Name originates from Karelian dialect and means a cuckoo. 7 km to north from railway station is Särkisalmi there you can find Hotel Lohikontti. There is also some services like gas stations and store. Hotel Ladoga Gateway can be found 7 km to south from village center. There is also lots of Cottage type accommodation, booking information is here: Lomarengas.
[edit] Gallery
 Orthodox road cross on the site of a historical orthodox village. |
 Lutheran church of Uukuniemi. |
 Morning mist. |
 Anitsanlahti, bay near center of Parikkala. |
 Gull cliff, lake side view of Parikkala. |
 Cross shaped main wood church of Parikkala. |
 Statue Park. |
 Harjulinna, Village hall of Parikkala |
 Old Coat of Arms of Parikkala |
