Kymenlaakso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kymenlaakso
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Kymenlaakso on a map of Finland
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| Country | Finland | |
| Historical province | Uusimaa, Karelia, Tavastia | |
| Capital | Kotka and Kouvola | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5,595.36 km2 (2,160.38 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2013)
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| • Total | 180,845 | |
| • Density | 32.32053/km2 (83.70979/sq mi) | |
Kymenlaakso is a special area, or region, in Finland. It's like a province. It shares borders with other regions of Finland. These are Uusimaa, Päijät-Häme, South Savo, and South Karelia. It also borders Russia, specifically the area called Leningrad Oblast.
The name Kymenlaakso means "The Valley of River Kymijoki". This river is one of the biggest in Finland. Its drainage basin, which is the area of land where all the water flows into the river, covers 11% of Finland.
Contents
Cities and Towns in Kymenlaakso
Kymenlaakso has several important cities.
Kotka: A Key Port City
The city of Kotka is home to about 55,000 people. It is located where the Kymijoki River meets the sea. Kotka has Finland's most important import harbor. This means many goods come into Finland through this port.
Kouvola: An Inland Hub
Further inland is the city of Kouvola. After some towns joined together, Kouvola now has about 88,000 residents. It is an important center for the region.
Hamina: An Old Bastion Town
Another interesting city is Hamina. It is known for being an old "bastion town." This means it was built with strong walls and defenses in the past.
History of Industry in Kymenlaakso
Kymenlaakso was one of the first places in Finland to become industrialized. This means it was one of the first areas to build many factories.
Paper and Pulp Industry
The region became very important for making paper and pulp. Pulp is the raw material used to make paper. Many factories here produced paper and pulp for Finland and other countries.
Changes in Industry and Population
Since the late 1900s, many of these factories have closed down. This has caused some challenges for the region. When factories close, it can lead to fewer jobs. This has also caused some people to move away from Kymenlaakso. This was especially true in towns like Myllykoski in Kouvola. These towns were built around the factories.
Images for kids
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The Kymi River in Kotka
See also
In Spanish: Región de Kymenlaakso para niños
