Ilmajoki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ilmajoki
Ilmola
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Municipality
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| Ilmajoen kunta Ilmola kommun |
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Ilmajoki church
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Location of Ilmajoki in Finland
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| Country |  Finland |
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| Region | South Ostrobothnia | |
| Sub-region | Seinäjoki sub-region | |
| Founded | 1865 | |
| Area
(2018-01-01)
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| • Total | 579.68 km2 (223.82 sq mi) | |
| • Land | 576.74 km2 (222.68 sq mi) | |
| • Water | 2.9 km2 (1.1 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 147th largest in Finland | |
| Population
(2023-12-31)
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| • Total | 12,343 | |
| • Rank | 84th largest in Finland | |
| • Density | 21.4/km2 (55/sq mi) | |
| Population by native language | ||
| • Finnish | 98.2% (official) | |
| • Swedish | 0.2% | |
| • Others | 1.6% | |
| Population by age | ||
| • 0 to 14 | 19.4% | |
| • 15 to 64 | 58.4% | |
| • 65 or older | 22.2% | |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) | |
Ilmajoki (pronounced IL-ma-yo-kee) is a town and municipality in Finland. It is located in the South Ostrobothnia region. Ilmajoki was officially founded in 1865.
It is home to about 12,000 people. The area covers around 580 square kilometers (224 square miles). Ilmajoki is known for its beautiful nature and open countryside. The Kyrönjoki River, a national landscape, flows through the area.
Ilmajoki is also famous for its annual Music Festival. Thousands of people gather there each June to enjoy opera. The town has a strong history of business and entrepreneurship. It is also a leader in producing renewable electricity. Many successful athletes, like Olympic javelin thrower Tero Pitkämäki, come from Ilmajoki.
Contents
Exploring Ilmajoki's Geography
Ilmajoki is surrounded by beautiful nature. You can see wide-open fields and scenic views. The Kyrönjoki River is the largest river in South Ostrobothnia. It flows through Ilmajoki's vast fields. This river area is so special that it has been chosen as one of the National Landscapes of Finland.
A Look at Ilmajoki's History
Ilmajoki has a long and interesting history. It used to be part of a larger area called Kyrö. In 1532, Ilmajoki became independent. It formed its own church parish. This was quite early compared to other areas nearby.
In 1867, Ilmajoki started operating as its own municipality. This happened when local government separated from the church.
The Cudgel War and Jaakko Ilkka
A very important event in Ilmajoki's history was the Cudgel War (1596–1597). This was a peasant uprising. Jaakko Ilkka, a local from Ilmajoki, led the peasants. He was a brave leader, but he was captured and executed in January 1597.
The biggest battle of this war, the Battle of Santavuori, took place in Ilmajoki. This battle happened in February 1597.
Traditional Buildings and Crafts
Ilmajoki has many old, traditional houses. These include one-and-a-half-story and two-story homes. They show the unique building style of the South Ostrobothnia region.
The area was also known for its skilled craftspeople. Grandfather clocks were made here. The village of Nopankylä was famous for its blacksmiths. They specialized in making parts for horse carriages. These traditions show Ilmajoki's long history in design and construction.
Ilmajoki's Economy and Business
Business and entrepreneurship are very important in Ilmajoki. There are almost 1,000 companies in the municipality. Ilmajoki is often ranked as one of the best places for businesses. This is based on surveys by the Federation of Finnish Enterprise.
The municipality also focuses on a modern bio and environmental economy. This means they use natural resources in a sustainable way.
Major Industries and Transport
One of the biggest industrial plants in Ilmajoki is Altia's Koskenkorva factory. This factory produces ethanol. Ethanol is a raw material used to make the famous Finnish product called Koskenkorva. This product is well-known both in Finland and around the world.
Ilmajoki also has a private airport that meets international standards. It is located in the village of Rengonkylä. A busy road connects Seinäjoki and Kaskinen and passes through Ilmajoki. This makes it easy to travel to other cities. For example, Seinäjoki is 17 km away, and Helsinki is about 360 km away.
Places to Visit in Ilmajoki
Ilmajoki offers many interesting sights for visitors. You can learn about history and enjoy nature.
- Ilkka's Field and Statue: This field is where Jaakko Ilkka gathered his peasant army. The statue was put up in 1924 to honor him.
- Lakeuden Raivaajapatsas Statue: This statue was built in 1954. It honors the pioneers who cleared the land.
- Memorial to Jaakko Ilkka's House: You can find this memorial in Koskenkorva. It marks the place where Jaakko Ilkka's home once stood.
- Yli-Laurosela House Museum: This museum shows what old South Ostrobothnia houses looked like. It highlights the amazing carpentry skills of the past.
- Ilmajoki Museum: Here you can learn more about the local history and culture of Ilmajoki.
- Alajoki's Scenic Fields: Enjoy the beautiful views of fields and river landscapes.
- Santavuori: This hill is famous for the battle that took place there during the Cudgel War. Today, you can also see wind turbines there.
- Natural Springs: Ilmajoki has several valued natural springs. These include Tuoresluoma, Luokasmäki, Hassulanneva, and Kilsukylä.
Famous People from Ilmajoki
Many talented individuals have come from Ilmajoki. They have made their mark in various fields.
- Jaakko Ilkka: A trader and leader of the Cudgel War.
- Tero Pitkämäki: A famous javelin thrower who won Olympic medals.
- Marko Yli-Hannuksela: A well-known former wrestler.
- Arvo Haavisto: An Olympic wrestler.
- Hannu-Pekka Björkman: A respected actor.
- Erkki Ala-Könni: A professor and researcher of Finnish folklore and music.
- Gustaf Gabriel Hällström: A notable scientist.
- Pauli Aaltonen: A talented sculptor.
- Riitta Korpela: A popular singer.
- Katri Tapola: A well-known writer.
- Otto-Iivari Meurman: A famous architect.
See also
In Spanish: Ilmajoki para niños
