Oulu

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For other uses, see Oulu (disambiguation).
City of Oulu
Oulun kaupunki
Coat of arms of City of Oulu
Coat of arms
Location of Oulu in Northern Europe
Location of Oulu in Northern Europe
Coordinates: 65°01′N 25°28′E / 65.017, 25.467
Country Finland
Province Oulu Province
Region Northern Ostrobothnia
Sub-region Oulu sub-region
Charter 1605
Government
 - City manager Matti Pennanen
Area
 - Total 449.2 km² (173.4 sq mi)
 - Land 369.7 km² (142.7 sq mi)
 - Water 75.5 km² (29.2 sq mi)
Population (2007)
 - Total 130,459
 - Density 351.4/km² (910.1/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 - Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Official languages Finnish
Website: www.ouka.fi
Drawing of central Oulu from the 19th Century.
Drawing of central Oulu from the 19th Century.

Oulu (listen (help·info)) (Swedish: Uleåborg) is a city and municipality of about 130,000 inhabitants in the province of Oulu and the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the largest and most important city in Northern Finland and the sixth largest city in the country. Its population growth rate is almost comparable with that of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Oulu has a namesake in the United States, Oulu, Wisconsin, which is a village with a population of about 540.

Contents

[edit] History

Oulu was founded on July 20th 1605 by King Karl IX of Sweden opposite to the castle built on the island of Linnansaari. This took place after favourable peace settlements with the Russians, which removed the threat of attack via the main east-west waterway, the river Oulu. The surrounding areas were populated much earlier. Oulu is situated by the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of river Oulujoki, which is an ancient trading site. One source for the name Oulu is a word in the Sami language meaning 'flood water', but there are other suggestions. Oulu has been the capital of the Oulu Province since 1776.

In 1822, a major fire destroyed much of the city. The architect Carl Ludvig Engel, chiefly known for the neo-classical (empire style) buildings around Helsinki Senate Square, was enlisted to provide the plan for the rebuilding of the city. With minor changes, this plan remains the basis for the layout of Oulu's town center. The Oulu Cathedral was built in 1832 to his designs, with the spire being finished in 1844.

From being a town known for wood tar and salmon in the past, Oulu has evolved into a major centre of competence in the field of high technology, particularly IT and wellness technology. Other prominent industries include wood refining as well as paper and steel industry. The University of Oulu is located six kilometres north of the city center. The Oulu Airport, located in neighbouring municipality of Oulunsalo, is the second busiest in Finland.

[edit] Cultural life

The cultural life in Oulu is rich and varied. The best known cultural exports of the city of Oulu are Air Guitar World Championships, Mieskuoro Huutajat (also known as Screaming Men), and the now defunct metal band Sentenced.

There are many artists, writers and musicians resident in the city. A variety of concerts, both rock, classical music, and jazz, as well as other cultural events take place each year; for example, Oulu Music Video Festival - the host of the Air Guitar World Championships and Musixine Music Film Competition - in August, annual rock festival Qstock in July, the Oulu Music Festival in winter, the Oulunsalo Music Festival in summer, and the International Children's Film Festival in November. Many people who have made a significant contribution to the cultural and political life of Finland have been born or have lived in Oulu, for example, the composer Leevi Madetoja, and the writer Paavo Rintala. Three former Presidents of the country, Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg, Kyösti Kallio and Martti Ahtisaari also went to school there, attending the Oulu Lyceum.

[edit] Sights

Oulu City Hall.
Oulu City Hall.
View over the river Oulu towards Tuira from Hupisaaret park. Water power plant can be seen on the right side. Tuira is one of the largest districts of Oulu with almost 7000 inhabitants.
View over the river Oulu towards Tuira from Hupisaaret park. Water power plant can be seen on the right side. Tuira is one of the largest districts of Oulu with almost 7000 inhabitants.
  • Tietomaa, a science center with over 150 exhibits
  • Ainola Park, formerly a university botanical garden before the university was moved to Linnanmaa
  • The Rapids Center, the area in the estuary of the Oulu river consisting of small islands connected with bridges, fountains in the middle of the river, and including a housing area of building blocks planned by Alvar Aalto
  • Rotuaari pedestrian street
  • The Market Square with the City Library, the City Theatre and old salt and tar storehouses
  • Mannerheim Park
  • The Oulu Cathedral
  • Hupisaaret, a large park area located in the estuary of the Oulu river
  • The F. M. Franzen memorial
  • The Northern Ostrobothnia museum
  • The Pateniemi Sawmill Museum
  • The Vehicle Museum
  • The University of Oulu Botanical Garden (situated in Linnanmaa)
  • The Oulu Art Museum
  • The Arctic Gallery
  • Technopolis, the technology village
  • Turkansaari (website) (historical outdoor museum)

[edit] Other points of interest

Railway station area in Oulu, looking southwest along Hallituskatu.
Railway station area in Oulu, looking southwest along Hallituskatu.
Mannerheim Park is a favourite hangout place for many.
Mannerheim Park is a favourite hangout place for many.

[edit] Nightlife

  • Kaarlenholvi, Kauppurienkatu. A very popular pub & nightclub, for all ages.
  • 45 Special, Saaristonkatu, started as a rock club, the "45" (known simply as "numero", the number) is a venue for nationally touring rock bands. It has two dance floors for popular rock, pop, electro, reggae and so on. Occasional electronic music clubs and various other music events.
  • Hevimesta, Torikatu, a heavy metal and rock club.
  • Never Grow Old, Hallituskatu, small loungy bar with a variety of live gigs, shows and djs; incl. funk, jazz, brazilectro, soul, ska, reggae, salsa... and unisex toilets.
  • Club Teatria, Härkätie, the largest indoor rock club in Finland and venue for rock concerts.
  • Onnela, Isokatu, a popular club (part of a national chain) with four different floors playing four different styles of music: rock, suomipop (Finnish pop), 80s and dance.
  • Cabaret, a trendy nightclub.
  • Amarillo, Kirkkokatu, a tex-mex restaurant with a disco for pop and dance sounds in the basement.
  • Bar Becksu, Asemakatu. A "hetero friendly" gay bar.
  • Nightclub Tähti, a nightclub for more mature audience. Large indoor venue with traditional dancing music performers playing every weekend.
  • Hietasaaren Tanssimajakka, located in Hietasaari near Nallikari beach, a traditional dancing venue for more mature audience, open on summer weekends.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Air

Oulu is served by Oulu Airport, the second biggest airport in Finland by passenger volume. There are non-stop scheduled flights to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (around 18 daily flights with Finnair and Blue1) and Rovaniemi Airport (1 daily with Finnair) as well as charter flights to Southern Europe, Canary Isles and Phuket in Thailand.

In 2008, Air Baltic begun flying to Oulu Airport, offering a direct connection to its main hub Riga International Airport in Latvia, and connecting flights to airports in most European countries.

Oulu Airport is located in the neighbouring county of Oulunsalo, 15 km from the city centre. It can be reached by bus number 19 from the centre of the city and Technopolis.

[edit] Sea

Port of Oulu is one of the busiest harbours within the Bothnian Bay. Port of Oulu includes four separate harbour areas: Vihreäsaari oil and bulk docks, Nuottasaari docks, Oritkari docks and the Toppila docks.

[edit] Rail

The shortest travel time from Oulu Railway Station to Helsinki Central Railway Station is 5 h 44 mins, operated by VR. There are also night trains with beds taking 8-11 hours; the newest night train cars are double deckers and have showers and toilets in the cabins. Other destinations include, for instance, Kolari, Rovaniemi, Seinäjoki and Tampere.

[edit] Road

[edit] Sports

Kärpät wins gold after beating Jokerit in 2005 Final.
Kärpät wins gold after beating Jokerit in 2005 Final.

The Oulu ice hockey team Kärpät have won the Finnish Ice Hockey League (SM-Liiga) Championships five times (1981, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008). They have also won silver of European champion two times, in 2004 and 2005.

Terwa Marathon & Run event in late May (since 1989)


[edit] Most important employers (2006)

Stora Enso has an important paper manufacturing plant in Oulu.
Stora Enso has an important paper manufacturing plant in Oulu.
  • City of Oulu, 9,581
  • Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District, 5,427
  • Nokia Group, 4,590
  • University of Oulu, 3,030
  • The Oulu Region Joint Authority for Education, 1,466
  • Stora Enso Group, 1,080
  • Kesko Group, 1,046
  • Cooperative Arina-Group (S-Group), 752
  • Finland Post Ltd, 700
  • Deaconesses' Institution, 603

[edit] Town twinning

[edit] Sister cities

[edit] Friendship cities

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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Municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia
Coat of arms of Northern Ostrobothnia

Coordinates: 65°01′N, 25°28′E