Raisio (Finnish: [ˈrɑi̯sio]; Swedish: Reso) is a town and municipality in south-western Finland and an important junction of major roads. The town has a population of 24,818 (31 December 2021)[2] and is located in the region of Southwest Finland, neighbouring the region's capital, Turku. The town's land area is 48.76 km² (18.83 sq mi),[1] and has about 5 kilometres (3 mi) of coastline to the Bay of Raisio on its southern tip.

Raisio Reso
Town
Raision kaupunki Reso stad
Market place in Raisio
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Raisio in Finland
Coordinates: 60°29′N 022°10′E
Country	Finland
Region	Southwest Finland
Sub-region	Turku sub-region
First records	1292
City rights	1974
Government
• Town manager	Ari Korhonen
Area  (2018-01-01)[1]
• Total	50.06 km2 (19.33 sq mi)
• Land	48.76 km2 (18.83 sq mi)
• Water	1.3 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
• Rank	306th largest in Finland
Population  (2021-12-31)[2]
• Total	24,818
• Rank	41st largest in Finland
• Density	508.98/km2 (1,318.3/sq mi)
Population by native language [3]
• Finnish	94.8% (official)
• Swedish	1.3%
• Others	3.9%
Population by age [4]
• 0 to 14	15.6%
• 15 to 64	61.2%
• 65 or older	23.3%
Time zone	UTC+02:00 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+03:00 (EEST)
Municipal tax rate[5]	20.25%
Climate	Dfb
Website	www.raisio.fi

History

The oldest known written records relating to Raisio are from the year 1292, and there is strong evidence of Stone Age settlement in the area, but Raisio did not become a city until 1974. Until the late 20th century, this was an agricultural area. The success of the Raisio Group transformed it into an industrial centre, and triggered a huge increase in population – during the 20th century the population of Raisio grew elevenfold. The town's existence was under threat, as Turku was planning on merging Raisio to it. This changed after Raisio Group became a successful company.

Name

The name Raisio was originally given to its river, Raisionjoki. The earliest form of the river's name is Raisajoki, meaning "marsh/bog river", and etymological evidence of this can be seen in the Estonian word raisnik, meaning "peatland meadow". Another theory behind the etymology of the name Raisio is that it comes from the word raiskio, meaning a forest that's been damaged by poor foresting, because the Raisio landscape was changed due to sloughs and post-glacial rebound after the Ice Age.[6]

Politics

Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in Raisio:[7]

• Social Democratic Party 23.9%
• True Finns 22.5%
• National Coalition Party 19.2%
• Left Alliance 13.2%
• Green League 7.2%
• Centre Party 6.7%
• Christian Democrats 2.1%
• Movement Now 1.8%
• Swedish People's Party 1.8%

Economy

The town's location on good traffic connections and near the region's capital has contributed greatly to its growth. Its main industries are services, foodstuffs and chemical manufacturing. The largest employer in the town is the Raisio Group, a manufacturer of foodstuffs, animal feed and health products.

Raisio is also home to the Mylly shopping centre, one of the largest in Scandinavia.

The town also has the third IKEA of Finland.

The biggest employers in Raisio:

Points of interest

The town of Raisio has many cultural venues, such as the Friisilä handicrafts center, which offers the visitor a glimpse at traditional Finnish arts and crafts. The cultural center Harkko in the town center comprises an arts museum, an archaeological museum and a theatre. The city library and swimming center Ulpukka are also worth mentioning. In Raisio is also Finland's biggest middle school which is called "Vaisaaren yläkoulu".

The Raisio railway station, located along the Turku–Uusikaupunki railway, was proclaimed a built cultural environment of national significance by the Finnish Heritage Agency.[8]

Twin towns – sister cities

Raisio is twinned with:

• Kingisepp, Russia
• Sigtuna, Sweden
• Csongrád, Hungary
• Elmshorn, Germany

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Raisio.

• Town of Raisio – Official website
• Raisio Group
• Mylly shopping center

На других языках

[de] Raisio

[ru] Райсио