Regions of Finland


is divided into 19 regions The regions are governed by regional councils, which serve as forums of cooperation for the municipalities of a region. The main tasks of the regions are regional planning and development of enterprise and education. In addition, the public health services are usually organized on the basis of regions. Currently, the only region where a popular election is held for the council is Kainuu. Other regional councils are elected by municipal councils, each municipality sending representatives in proportion to its population.
One region, Åland has a special status and has a much higher degree of autonomy and than the others, with its own Parliament and local laws, due to its unique history and the fact that the overwhelming majority of its people are Finland Swedes. The sole language of Åland is Swedish/Finland Swedish, unlike the rest of the country where Finnish and Swedish share official status. It has its own elected head of government who carries the title of Premier and heads the Lantrad, the regional executive. Most powers that would be exercise by the Government of Finland on the mainland are instead exercised by Åland-specific authorities which execute independent policy in most areas. The Åland Islanders elect a single representative to the national legislature, while the Government of Finland appoints a Governor to represent the national government on Åland. Åland is a demilitarised zone and Åland Islanders are exempt from conscription.
In addition to inter-municipal cooperation, which is the responsibility of regional councils, there are 15 Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, which is responsible for the local administration of labour, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and entrepreneurial affairs. They are each responsible for one or more of regions of Finland, and include offices of the Ministries of Employment and the Economy, Transport and Communications and Environment. The Finnish Defence Forces regional offices are responsible for the regional defence preparations and for the administration of conscription within the region.

Regions

№FlagCoat of armsNameOfficial English nameFinnish nameSwedish nameCapitalArea Population
1.–LaplandLaplandLappiLapplandRovaniemi92,674177,161
2.–North OstrobothniaNorth OstrobothniaPohjois-PohjanmaaNorra ÖsterbottenOulu36,815412,830
3.KainuuKainuuKainuuKajanalandKajaani20,19772,306
4.North KareliaNorth KareliaPohjois-KarjalaNorra KarelenJoensuu17,761161,211
5.Northern SavoniaNorth SavoPohjois-SavoNorra SavolaxKuopio16,768244,236
6.Southern SavoniaSouth SavoEtelä-SavoSödra SavolaxMikkeli14,257142,335
7.–South KareliaSouth KareliaEtelä-KarjalaSödra KarelenLappeenranta5,327127,757
8.Central FinlandCentral FinlandKeski-SuomiMellersta FinlandJyväskylä16,703275,104
9.South OstrobothniaSouth OstrobothniaEtelä-PohjanmaaSödra ÖsterbottenSeinäjoki13,444188,685
10.–OstrobothniaOstrobothniaPohjanmaaÖsterbottenVaasa7,753180,445
11.Central OstrobothniaCentral OstrobothniaKeski-PohjanmaaMellersta ÖsterbottenKokkola5,02068,158
12.–PirkanmaaPirkanmaaPirkanmaaBirkalandTampere12,585517,666
13.SatakuntaSatakuntaSatakuntaSatakuntaPori7,820216,752
14.Päijänne TavastiaPäijät-HämePäijät-HämePäijänne-TavastlandLahti5,125199,604
15.Tavastia ProperKanta-HämeKanta-HämeEgentliga TavastlandHämeenlinna5,199170,925
16.–KymenlaaksoKymenlaaksoKymenlaaksoKymmenedalenKotka, Kouvola5,149171,167
17.UusimaaUusimaaUusimaaNylandHelsinki9,0971,689,725
18.–Southwest FinlandSouthwest FinlandVarsinais-SuomiEgentliga FinlandTurku10,663479,341
19.Åland IslandsÅlandAhvenanmaaÅlandMariehamn1,55329,884

Former regions

NumberCoat of ArmsNameOfficial English nameFinnish nameSwedish nameCapitalDissolution
20Eastern UusimaaItä-UusimaaItä-UusimaaÖstra NylandPorvooJanuary 1, 2011