Kemijärvi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kemijärvi
Giemajávri
Kiemâjävri Ǩeeʹmmjäuʹrr |
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Town
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| Kemijärven kaupunki Kemijärvi stad |
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Kemijärvi Church
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Location of Kemijärvi in Finland
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| Country |  Finland |
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| Region | Lapland | |
| Sub-region | Eastern Lapland | |
| Charter | 1957 | |
| City rights | 1973 | |
| Area
(2018-01-01)
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| • Total | 3,930.91 km2 (1,517.73 sq mi) | |
| • Land | 3,504.39 km2 (1,353.05 sq mi) | |
| • Water | 425.84 km2 (164.42 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 13th largest in Finland | |
| Population
(2023-12-31)
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| • Total | 7,030 | |
| • Rank | 132nd largest in Finland | |
| • Density | 2.01/km2 (5.2/sq mi) | |
| Population by native language | ||
| • Finnish | 95.9% (official) | |
| • Swedish | 0.1% | |
| • Others | 4% | |
| Population by age | ||
| • 0 to 14 | 9.7% | |
| • 15 to 64 | 50.3% | |
| • 65 or older | 40% | |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) | |
Kemijärvi is a town and a municipality in Finland. It is located in the Eastern Lapland area. The town is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, including the large Lake Kemijärvi.
Contents
History of Kemijärvi
Early Settlers and Sami People
The first person to settle permanently in Kemijärvi was Paavali Ollinpoika Halonen. He moved there around 1580 from the Oulu region. Before settlers arrived, the area was mainly home to the Sami people. There is an ancient Sami sacred place called Ämmänvaara in the municipality.
The Railway Arrives
The railway line reached Kemijärvi in 1934. This was a big step for the town's development. The railway was later extended further north. Today, you can take a passenger train from Kemijärvi railway station to cities like Rovaniemi, Oulu, and Helsinki.
For a while, the direct overnight train service to Helsinki was stopped. This was because the new sleeping cars needed electricity, but the railway north of Rovaniemi was not yet electrified. However, the service was brought back in 2008 with special generator cars. In 2014, the railway line from Rovaniemi to Kemijärvi became electrified. This made sure Kemijärvi stayed connected to Finland's main train network.
Geography and Nature
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Kemijärvi is surrounded by other municipalities like Pelkosenniemi to the north and Salla to the east. To the south is Posio, and to the west is Rovaniemi. Many villages are part of the Kemijärvi municipality. These include Halosenranta, Isokylä, and Tapionniemi.
Skiing and Lakes
The Eastern Lapland area, where Kemijärvi is located, is famous for its skiing resorts. Popular places nearby include Suomu, Luosto, Pyhä, and Salla. The large Lake Kemijärvi is a popular spot, especially in summer. It is surrounded by hills and thick forests, making it a very scenic place.
Fish and Rivers
Lake Kemijärvi is home to many types of fish. You can find pike, perch, and brown trout here. It is also the northernmost lake in Finland where zander (also called walleye) live naturally. The Kemijoki River flows from Lake Kemijärvi. It goes through Rovaniemi and eventually reaches the sea at Kemi.
Summer Activities
Besides fishing, many people enjoy outdoor activities in the summer. These include hiking, trekking, boating, and hunting. The beautiful nature makes Kemijärvi a great place for these pastimes.
Population and Language
Kemijärvi has a population of about 7,030 people. The municipality covers an area of 3,930.91 square kilometres (1,517.73 sq mi). A significant part of this area, 425.84 km2 (164.42 sq mi), is water. The town is unilingually Finnish, meaning Finnish is the only official language spoken there.
Transport Connections
Rail Travel
The town is served by the Kemijärvi railway station. You can take direct overnight trains from here to Helsinki. This makes it easy to travel to and from the capital city.
Notable People from Kemijärvi
Many interesting people have come from Kemijärvi. Some of them include:
- Timo Halonen, who became the Mayor of Mikkeli.
- Pentti Kouri, a well-known investor and economist.
- Matti Lahtela, who served as a Member of Parliament.
- Kari Väänänen, a talented actor, screenwriter, and director.
Sister Cities
Kemijärvi has special partnerships with other cities around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities." They help promote cultural exchange and friendship. Kemijärvi is twinned with:
Kandalaksha, Russia (since 1988)
Sōbetsu, Japan (since 1993)
Vadsø, Norway (since 1961)
Historical Places to Visit
Kemijärvi has some interesting historical sites. One notable place is:
| Name | Place | Description |
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| Joutsijärvi concrete bunkers | Joutsijärvi | These are old military bunkers. |
See also
In Spanish: Kemijärvi para niños
