Oulu

Oulu [ˈɔu̯lu] ( listen^{? /i}) (Swedish Uleåborg [ˈʉːlɛoːˌbɔrj]) is a major city in northern Finland. It is the largest city in Northern Finland, the fifth largest city in Finland and the northernmost major city in the European Union.

While Oulu was famous for wood tar and salmon in earlier times, today the city is mainly known as a centre of the Finnish IT industry and for its distinct wellness culture. Other important industries include wood processing and paper manufacturing. There are two integrated steel mills (in Raahe and Tornio), a ferrochrome mine (in Kemi) and a pulp mill (in Kemi) within a 200 km radius. Oulu Airport is the second busiest in the country and is located about 15 kilometres south, in Oulunsalo. The University of Oulu is the largest in the country outside the Helsinki metropolitan area and is located six kilometres north of the city centre.

Oulu is famous for the annual Air Guitar World Championship held there, the Mieskuoro Huutajat (The Screaming Men's Choir) and a wide range of cultural opportunities. The rock festival Qstock has been held annually in Oulu at the end of July since 2003.

Geography

Oulu is located at the mouth of the Oulujoki River in the Gulf of Bothnia. The city covers an area of 449.2 km², of which 79.5 km² are water areas. At the beginning of 2009, the municipality of Ylikiiminki, located to the east of Oulu, was incorporated into the city, adding 1061.07 km² and nearly 3400 inhabitants.

Climate table