| Hämeenlinna | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — City — | |||
| Hämeenlinnan kaupunki | |||
| View of Lake Vanajavesi, next to Hämeenlinna. The castle is visible to the right. | |||
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| Location of Hämeenlinna in Finland | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Finland | ||
| Region | Tavastia Proper | ||
| Sub-region | Hämeenlinna sub-region | ||
| Charter | 1639 | ||
| Government | |||
| • City manager | Tapani Hellstén | ||
| Area(2011-01-01)[1] | |||
| • Total | 2,031.55 km2 (784.4 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 1,785.76 km2 (689.5 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 245.79 km2 (94.9 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 42nd largest in Finland | ||
| Population (2011-01-31)[2] | |||
| • Total | 66,854 | ||
| • Rank | 14th largest in Finland | ||
| • Density | 37.44/km2 (97/sq mi) | ||
| Population by native language[3] | |||
| • Finnish | 97.5% (official) | ||
| • Swedish | 0.3% | ||
| • Others | 2.2% | ||
| Population by age[4] | |||
| • 0 to 14 | 15.8% | ||
| • 15 to 64 | 64.7% | ||
| • 65 or older | 19.5% | ||
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | ||
| Municipal tax rate[5] | 19% | ||
| Website | www.hameenlinna.fi | ||
Hämeenlinna (Swedish: Tavastehus) is a city and municipality of about 67,000 inhabitants[2] in the heart of the historical province of Häme in the south of Finland and is the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius. Today, it belongs to the region of Tavastia Proper, and until 2010 it was the residence city for the Governor of the province of Southern Finland. Nearby cities include the capital Helsinki (98 km/61 mi), Tampere (73 km/45 mi) and Lahti (72 km/45 mi).
The medieval Häme Castle (Hämeen linna) is located in the city.
The municipalities of Hauho, Kalvola, Lammi, Renko and Tuulos were consolidated with Hämeenlinna on 1 January 2009.
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There has been a settlement called Vanaja by the lake Vanajavesi in where the city now stands since the Viking Age. The castle was built in the late 13th century to secure the Swedish power in central Finland. A village was born near to the Häme Castle to provide services and goods to inhabitants.
The village was granted city rights in 1639 and soon after that the King of Sweden moved it one kilometre south on the hill where it now stands.
The city is known for its schools and academies where many famous Finns have studied. Schools, government and the military have characterized Hämeenlinna's life all through history.
Finland's first railway line opened between Hämeenlinna and Helsinki in 1862. The current Hämeenlinna railway station (Rautatieasema in Finnish) was built in 1921.
The composer Jean Sibelius was born and raised in Hämeenlinna. He graduated from Hämeenlinna Lyseo in 1885.
Poet Eino Leino graduated from Hämeenlinnan lyseon lukio.
Juho Kusti Paasikivi (Seventh President of Finland) graduated from Hämeenlinnan lyseon lukio (Hämeenlinnan lyseon lukio is Hämeenlinna Lyseo Upper secondary school, roughly the equivalent of a US highschool).
The folk/Viking metal band Turisas is from Hämeenlinna.
Antony Hämäläinen (Vocalist for the Greek/Swedish Melodic Death Metal band Nightrage) was born in Hämeenlinna.
Strongman and actor Jouko Ahola was born in Hämeenlinna. He won the 1997 and 1999 World's Strongest Man, and now serves as a one of the judges at the contest.
NHL Minnesota Wild forward Antti Miettinen was born in Hämeenlinna in 1980 and returns there in the off-season.
Kimi Räikkönen (Formula One driver) and Jenni Dahlman were married in 2004 in Hämeenlinna.
Hämeenlinna is twinned with:
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