Kainuu
| Kainuu Kainuun maakunta Kajanalands landskap | ||
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| Region | ||
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 Kainuu on a map of Finland | ||
| Country | Finland | |
| Historical province | Ostrobothnia | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 24,452.85 km2 (9,441.30 sq mi) | |
| Population (2009) | ||
| • Total | 79,975 | |
| • Density | 3.3/km2 (8.5/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | |
| ISO 3166 code | FI-05 | |
| NUTS | 134 | |
| Regional bird | Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus) | |
| Regional fish | European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) | |
| Regional flower | Heather (Calluna vulgaris) | |
| Website | kainuu.fi | |
Kainuu (Swedish: Kajanaland; Russian: Кайнуу) is a region (maakunta / landskap) of Finland. It borders the regions of Northern Ostrobothnia, North Karelia and Northern Savonia. In the east it also borders Russia. Kainuu is known in the ancient Norse sagas as Kvenland.
The administrative capital is Kajaani. Kainuu had 79 984 inhabitants in turn of years 2013 and 2014. The population is in decline. The nature of Kainuu features forested hills, lakes and vast expanses of uninhabited woods at its most typical — 95% of the land area is forest. The climate is continental.
Currently the population is in decline mainly because the traditional livelihood is agriculture which is not very profitable any more in that region.
The economy of Kainuu is also driven by the lumber industry, which employs 8% of the workforce in the region.[1] In addition, Kainuu Brigade, a base of the Finnish Defence Forces, is located near Kajaani.
Historical province
For history, geography and culture see: Ostrobothnia
For origin of the name Kainuu see: Origin of the name Kainuu
Municipalities
1. Kajaani
2. Vaala
3. Paltamo
4. Ristijärvi
5. Sotkamo
6. Kuhmo
7. Suomussalmi
8. Hyrynsalmi
9. Puolanka
Kainuu has nine municipalities.
A new, democratically elected organ, the regional council (maakuntavaltuusto), was tested in Kainuu in 2005-2015. The municipalities in Finland are independent, but this independence has been questioned as health care, among other responsibilities of the municipalities, is difficult to govern on such a small scale. The municipalities in Kainuu tested a model, where health care and some other services were produced on the regional level. The administrative experiment ended on December 31st 2012 but its results may still be seen in the organisations involved.
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Gallery
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The ruins of Kajaani Castle
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River Oulujoki is the largest river in the region
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The traditional Lamminaho estate, Vaala
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Lake Nuasjärvi from Vuokatti, Sotkamo
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Lake Oulujärvi is the largest lake in the region
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Typical forest landscape, Paltamo
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Vuolijoki Church in Jugendstil; the only rock church in Kainuu
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Kontiomäki Railway Station, Paltamo
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Old Town House in Kajaani
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Hepoköngäs waterfall, Puolanka
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Kajaani Lutheran Church
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An old windmill at River Oulujoki in Vaala
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Ceiling paintings of the wooden church in Paltaniemi, Kajaani
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Rural landscape in Puolanka
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A brown bear in Kuhmo
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Housivirta creek in Suomussalmi
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Säräisniemi Church, Vaala
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Kuhmo Arts Centre; a big annual chamber music festival is held in Kuhmo
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Nuojua power plant in River Oulujoki, Vaala
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Hyrynsalmi Church
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A marsh lake in Puolanka
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Tar boats in Paltamo coats of arms; tar production used to be an important occupation
See also
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kainuu. |
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