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Joutseno
Former municipality
Joutsenon kaupunki
Joutseno stad
Joutseno Church.
Joutseno Church.
Coat of arms of Joutseno
Coat of arms
Location of Joutseno in Finland
Location of Joutseno in Finland
Country Finland
Province Southern Finland Province
Region South Karelia
Established 1941
Merged into Lappeenranta 2009
Seat Joutsenon kirkonkylä
Area
498.35
 • Land 311.2 km2 (120.2 sq mi)
 • Water 187.15 km2 (72.26 sq mi)
Population
 (2008-12-31)
 • Total 10,659

Joutseno was once a town and a local area (called a municipality) in Finland. It was located in the southern part of Finland. This area was part of the Southern Finland Province and the South Karelia region.

Joutseno was a place where people mainly spoke Finnish. On January 1, 2009, Joutseno joined with a bigger city called Lappeenranta. This means it is now part of Lappeenranta. Before it joined Lappeenranta, Joutseno shared borders with several other places. These included Lappeenranta, Taipalsaari, Ruokolahti, and Imatra. It also had a short border, about 9 kilometers long, with Russia. This part of Russia is called the Vyborgsky District.

Exploring Joutseno's Nature

Joutseno's Lakes

Joutseno is located right next to Saimaa. This is the largest lake in Finland. Lake Saimaa is famous for its beautiful islands and clear waters. It is a great place for boating and enjoying nature.

A Look into Joutseno's Past

What Does the Name Joutseno Mean?

The name Joutseno is thought to come from the Finnish word joutsen. This word means "swan." This is why you can see a swan on Joutseno's old coat of arms. However, some people think the name might come from another old word. This word is joutsi, which is a dialect word for "bow" (like a bow and arrow).

How Old is Joutseno?

Joutseno has been around for a very long time. It was first mentioned in records in the year 1544. Back then, it was called Jousenby. It was a small village that belonged to a larger area called Jääski. Today, Jääski is part of Russia.

Joutseno became its own separate church area, known as a parish, in 1639. It was first called Joutsenus. The name Joutseno started to be used for the parish in the 1700s. By the 1800s, it was the most common way to spell the name.

When Joutseno Became a Town

Joutseno officially became a town in 2005. This meant it had more responsibilities and services. However, its time as an independent town was short. In 2009, Joutseno joined with the city of Lappeenranta. This was done to make local government more efficient.

Fun Places to Visit in Joutseno

If you visit the area where Joutseno used to be, there are some interesting spots:

  • The Local History Museum: Here you can learn about the area's past.
  • South Karelian Motor Museum: See old cars and other vehicles.
  • The Domestic Animal Park of Korpikeidas: Meet friendly farm animals.
  • The storm monument by the library: A special monument to remember a big storm.
  • Lake Ahvenlampi: A nice lake to visit.
  • The Myllymäki skiing center: A place for winter sports.

Joutseno's Global Friends

Twin Towns and Sister Cities

Joutseno had a special connection with another town. This is called a "twin town" or "sister city" relationship. It means two towns in different countries agree to be friends. They often share cultures and visit each other. Joutseno's twin town was:

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