South Ostrobothnia[1] (Finnish: Etelä-Pohjanmaa; Swedish: Södra Österbotten) is one of the 19 regions of Finland. It borders the regions of Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, Central Finland, Pirkanmaa, and Satakunta. Among the Finnish regions, South Ostrobothnia is the ninth largest in terms of population.[2] Seinäjoki is the regional centre[3] and by far the largest city in the area.[4]

South Ostrobothnia Etelä-Pohjanmaa  (Finnish) Södra Österbotten  (Swedish)
Region
Region of South Ostrobothnia Etelä-Pohjanmaan maakunta Landskapet Södra Österbotten
Flag Coat of arms
South Ostrobothnia on a map of Finland
Coordinates: 62°45′N 22°30′E
Country	Finland
Historical province	Ostrobothnia, Satakunta
Capital	Seinäjoki
Area
• Total	13,999.63 km2 (5,405.29 sq mi)
Population  (2019)
• Total	188,685
• Density	13/km2 (35/sq mi)
ISO 3166 code	FI-03
NUTS	194
Regional bird	Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata)
Regional flower	Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)
Website	etelapohjanmaa.fi

As a cultural area, South Ostrobothnia is larger than its current regional borders and includes the region of Ostrobothnia as well.[3]

Historical provinces

Municipalities

The region of South Ostrobothnia is made up of 18 municipalities, of which eight have city status (marked in bold).

Culture

Regional and historical sub-tribal identity is generally stronger in South Ostrobothnia than in most regions of Finland.[5]

The South Ostrobothnian dialect belongs to the western Finnish dialects.[6] However, in the most eastern part of the region people speak a Savonian dialect that has Ostrobothnian elements.[7]

One of the biggest rock festivals in Finland, Provinssirock, and the world's oldest tango festival Tangomarkkinat are both held in Seinäjoki.[3] The folk music festival Eteläpohjalaiset Spelit is held annually in different South Ostrobothnian locations[8] and the opera and music festival Ilmajoen Musiikkijuhlat is held in Ilmajoki.[9] Many of the cultural events in South Ostrobothnia are rooted in local folk festivals and communal work.[10]

There are several local folk costumes.[11] Jussipaita is a traditional sweater that has become a symbol for South Ostrobothnian identity.[12]

Notable architecture in South Ostrobothnia include the Lakeuden Risti Church and other buildings in the Aalto Centre in Seinäjoki designed by the South Ostrobothnian-born architect Alvar Aalto.[13] A traditional peasant house, ”pohjalaistalo” (Ostrobothnian house), is a part of the local folk culture.[14]

South Ostrobothnia is known for its agriculture and animal husbandry. Traditional local cuisine include leipäjuusto and kropsu, an Ostrobothnian pancake.[15]

Politics

Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in South Ostrobothnia:

• Centre Party 31.66%
• Finns Party 22.02%
• National Coalition Party 17.64%
• Social Democratic Party 10.79%
• Christian Democrats 6.39%
• Green League 4.22%
• Left Alliance 2.81%
• Blue Reform 1.82%
• Swedish People's Party 0.41%
• Seven Star Movement 0.37%
• Other parties 1.87%

See also

• Ostrobothnians

• South Ostrobothnian dialect

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to South Ostrobothnia.

• Official South Ostrobothnia website

На других языках

[ru] Южная Остроботния