Pargas

Pargas (pronounced [?]), or Parainen ([ˈpɑrɑinen]) in Finnish, is a city in south-western Finland. It is known as the "capital" of the archipelago of Turku and has been a city since 1977.

It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Finland Proper region. The city has a population of 12,153 (as of 2006) and covers an area of 272.79 km² (excluding sea) of which 1.19 km² is inland water. The population density is 44.27 inhabitants per km².

The municipality is bilingual, with the majority (54%) being Swedish and the minority (45%) Finnish speakers.

It is the only city in Mainland Finland that is situated on an island.

The city has many little suburbs around it, including Kirjala and Lielax.

[edit] Sister cities

The sister cities of Pargas are

Haninge, Sweden
Ulstein, Norway
Chudovo, Russia
Kärdla, Estonia

[edit] External links

Official website - in Swedish and Finnish

	Municipalities of Finland Proper
	Alastaro \| Askainen \| Aura \| Dragsfjärd \| Halikko \| Houtskär \| Iniö \| Kaarina \| Karinainen \| Kiikala \| Kimito \| Kisko \| Korpo \| Koski \| Kustavi \| Kuusjoki \| Laitila \| Lemu \| Lieto \| Loimaa \| Loimaan kunta \| Marttila \| Masku \| Mellilä \| Merimasku \| Mietoinen \| Muurla \| Mynämäki \| Naantali \| Nagu \| Nousiainen \| Oripää \| Paimio \| Pargas \| Perniö \| Pertteli \| Piikkiö \| Pyhäranta \| Pöytyä \| Raisio \| Rusko \| Rymättylä \| Salo \| Sauvo \| Somero \| Suomusjärvi \| Särkisalo \| Taivassalo \| Tarvasjoki \| Turku \| Uusikaupunki \| Vahto \| Vehmaa \| Velkua \| Västanfjärd \| Yläne
	Southwest Finland \| Western Finland \| Finland