South Savo

South Savo
Etelä-Savo (Finnish)
Södra Savolax (Swedish)
Region
Region of South Savo
Etelä-Savon maakunta
Landskapet Södra Savolax
Flag of South Savo
Flag
Coat of arms of South Savo
Coat of arms
South Savo on a map of Finland
South Savo on a map of Finland
Coordinates: 62°0′N 27°30′E / 62.000°N 27.500°E / 62.000; 27.500
CountryFinland
Historical provinceSavonia
CapitalMikkeli
Other townsPieksämäki and Savonlinna
Area
 • Total
18,768.33 km2 (7,246.49 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)
 • Total
142,335
 • Density7.6/km2 (20/sq mi)
GDP
[1]
 • Total€4.414 billion (2015)
 • Per capita€29,245 (2015)
ISO 3166 codeFI-04
NUTS131
Regional birdGolden oriole
Regional fishVendace
Regional flowerWater lily
Regional stoneMarble
Regional lakeLake Puula
Websiteesavo.fi

South Savo[2] (or Southern Savonia; Finnish: Etelä-Savo; Swedish: Södra Savolax) is a region in the south-east of Finland. It borders the regions of North Savo, North Karelia, South Karelia, Kymenlaakso, Päijät-Häme, and Central Finland. The total area of South Savo is 18,768.33 km2 (7,246.5 sq mi), with a population of 153,738 (2011). South Savo is located in the heart of the Finnish lake district, and contains Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland. The three major towns in the region are Mikkeli, Savonlinna and Pieksämäki.

Historical provinces

For history, geography and culture see: Savonia

History

South Savo was the main part of the old Mikkeli Province, established in 1831. Some municipalities were transferred from the county to Central Finland Province, which was established in 1960. Mikkeli Province was abolished in the province reform of 1997, when Regions were established. The province of South Savo belonged to the Eastern Finland Province. In 2002, Kangaslampi moved from the province of South Savo to the province of North Savo. Suomenniemi became part of Etelä-Savo in 2013 when it merged with Ristiina to form the city of Mikkeli. At the beginning of 2021, Joroinen moved to the province of North Savo and Heinävesi to the province of North Karelia as a result of provincial and social and health care reforms.

Municipalities

Main article: Municipalities of South Savo

The region of South Savo consists of 12 municipalities, three of which have city status (marked in bold).

Sub-regions

Mikkeli sub-region

Pieksämäki sub-region

Savonlinna sub-region

List of municipalities

Talkkuna with Pork
Coat of
arms 		Municipality Population Land area
(km2) 		Density
(/km2) 		Finnish
speakers 		Swedish
speakers 		Other
speakers
Coat of arms of Enonkoski Enonkoski 1,290 306 4 98 % 0.2 % 4 %
coat of arms of Hirvensalmi Hirvensalmi 2,058 465 4 97 % 0.5 % 3 %
Coat of arms of Juva Juva 5,686 1,163 5 97 % 0.2 % 4 %
Coat of arms of Kangasniemi Kangasniemi 5,084 1,069 5 98 % 0.2 % 3 %
coat of arms of Mikkeli Mikkeli 51,960 2,548 20 94 % 0.2 % 5 %
Coat of arms of Mäntyharju Mäntyharju 5,518 981 6 95 % 0.2 % 4 %
Coat of arms of Pertunmaa Pertunmaa 1,541 374 4 98 % 0.3 % 4 %
Coat of arms of Pieksämäki Pieksämäki 17,213 1,569 11 94 % 0.1 % 5 %
Coat of arms of Puumala Puumala 2,095 794 3 97 % 0.3 % 3 %
coat of arms of Rantasalmi Rantasalmi 3,261 560 6 95 % 0.2 % 6 %
Coat of arms of Savonlinna Savonlinna 31,597 2,238 14 96 % 0.1 % 5 %
Coat of arms of Sulkava Sulkava 2,366 584 4 96 % 0.2 % 4 %
Total 129,669 12,652 10 95 % 0.2 % 5 %

Politics

Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in South Savo:

Cuisine

The best known local cuisine is fried vendace, often served with potato puree, and a semicircle-shaped pastry called lörtsy.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ Regions and Cities > Regional Statistics > Regional Economy > Regional GDP per Capita, OECD.Stats. Accessed on 16 November 2018.
  2. ^ Alueluokitusmuutokset 1.1.2019 www.stat.fi, accessed 19 October 2020
  3. ^ Finnish fast food – fried vendace (muikku) www.visitsaimaa.fi, accessed 19 October 2020
  4. ^ Lörtsy | Traditional Sweet Pastry From Southern Savonia, Finland www.tasteatlas.com, accessed 19 October 2020
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