Nurmes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nurmes
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Town
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| Nurmeksen kaupunki Nurmes stad |
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Nurmes Church
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Location of Nurmes in Finland
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| Country |  Finland |
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| Region | North Karelia | |
| Sub-region | Pielinen | |
| Charter | 1810 | |
| Town privileges | 1973 | |
| Area
(2018-01-01)
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| • Total | 1,854.78 km2 (716.13 sq mi) | |
| • Land | 2,401.35 km2 (927.17 sq mi) | |
| • Water | 253.7 km2 (98.0 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 38th largest in Finland | |
| Population
(2023-12-31)
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| • Total | 9,130 | |
| • Rank | 107th largest in Finland | |
| • Density | 3.8/km2 (10/sq mi) | |
| Population by native language | ||
| • Finnish | 96.5% (official) | |
| • Swedish | 0.1% | |
| • Others | 3.4% | |
| Population by age | ||
| • 0 to 14 | 11.4% | |
| • 15 to 64 | 52.7% | |
| • 65 or older | 35.8% | |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) | |
Nurmes is a town and municipality in Finland. It is located in the North Karelia region. As of 31 December 2023, about 9,130 people live there.
Nurmes covers an area of 1,854.78 square kilometres (716.13 sq mi). A big part of this area, 253.7 km2 (98.0 sq mi), is water. This means there are many lakes and rivers around. The town's population density is about 3.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (9.8/sq mi).
Nurmes is surrounded by other municipalities like Juuka, Kuhmo, Lieksa, Rautavaara, and Sotkamo.
The Nurmes railway station is the last stop for a train service from Joensuu. This train runs twice a day. It's an important connection for the town.
You can also find the Karelian village and the Break Sokos Hotel Bomba spa in Nurmes. The Bomba Karelian Village is a special place where you can learn about Karelian building styles, food, and traditions. Nearby, there's also the Hotel Hyvärilä Youth and Holiday Centre and the Pielis-Golf golf course.
Contents
Learning Karelian Language
Karelian Language "Nest" in Nurmes
Nurmes is officially a Finnish-speaking area. However, in 2009, something special happened. Finland's first Karelian language "nest" was started in Nurmes. A "nest" is a pre-school group where young children learn the Karelian language by being fully surrounded by it. This helps keep the language alive.
Exploring Nurmes' Geography
Where is Nurmes Located?
Nurmes is in Finnish Karelia, right by the large Pielinen lake. It's also close to the regions of Kainuu and Northern Savonia.
Getting to Nurmes
The closest major cities by road are Kuopio (128 km away), Joensuu (127 km away), and Kajaani (113 km away). These cities also have the nearest airports. If you travel by train, the railway from Nurmes to Joensuu is 160 km long and goes through Lieksa. To reach Helsinki, which is 518 km by road, you can take a train from Nurmes to Joensuu and then change trains.
Nearby Nature and Fun Spots
Nurmes is a great base for exploring nature and tourist centers. Here are some places nearby:
- Tahko Tourist Center (93 km)
- Vuokatti Ski Resort (88 km)
- Koli National Park (78 km)
- Tiilikkajärvi National Park (56 km)
- Hiidenportti National Park (44 km)
Nurmes' Climate and Seasons
Nurmes has a continental climate, meaning it experiences four distinct seasons.
- Winters: They are cold, with average temperatures from November to March usually below -5 °C. Snow typically covers the ground for 4–5 months, from November to April. North Karelia is one of Finland's snowiest areas, often having more than 50 cm of snow in March. During the darkest part of winter, the sun is only visible for about four hours a day.
- Summers: These months can be cool or warm, and temperatures can change quickly. During the brightest time of year, the sun stays above the horizon for about 20 hours.
Lakes and Fishing in Nurmes
The nature around Nurmes is known for its rolling hills, thick forests, and many lakes. There are 409 lakes in Nurmes! The biggest and most famous one is Pielinen. In Pielinen, you can find fish like perch, grayling, pike, lake salmon, whitefish, and lake trout. If you want to go fishing, you'll need to buy a special license from local shops.
Hiking and Outdoor Areas
Nurmes has three main areas perfect for hiking and enjoying the outdoors:
- Raesärkkä area: This area includes a 5.9 km2 protected forest and a 1.2 km2 recreational forest. It features grazing fields, marshes, lakes, and rivers.
- Mujejärvi area: This 20 km2 hiking area is known for its cliffs, ridges, gorges, and lakes.
- Lake Peurajärvi: This spot is great for families and people who love to fish. It has many lakes, ponds, and rivers, with easy paths to explore.
The forests in Nurmes are full of different kinds of mushrooms, wild herbs, and berries. In Finland, everyone has the Freedom to roam, which means you can explore nature freely, as long as you respect the environment and private property.
Nurmes' Economy and Industries
Main Industries in Nurmes
The most important industries in Nurmes are:
- Wood industry
- Food industry
- Metal and mechanical engineering
Wood Industry
The wood industry is the biggest industry in the region, both in terms of money earned and the number of people it employs. Products made here include cut and planed wood, strong glued beams, treated wooden poles, and high-quality special cardboards.
Food Industry
Nurmes is very good at baking, processing fish, and preparing meat. Some of the most popular local products are different kinds of bread and gluten-free baked goods.
Metal and Mechanical Engineering
Companies in metal and mechanical engineering either work as suppliers for other businesses or create their own products. They are always looking for new ideas and ways to improve their products and processes.
Green Industry Area (Nurmes GIA)
Nurmes has a special business area called the Green Industry Area (Nurmes GIA). This area offers large plots of land, modern facilities, and good transport services. It's an excellent place for businesses that make products from natural materials (like wood) and those involved in the circular economy (where waste is reused). The area is planned to help new forest-based industries start up easily.
Culture and Events in Nurmes
Christmas Song City
Nurmes was named Finland's Christmas Song City in 2005. Then, in 2009, it became the European Christmas Song City! During the Christmas season, many musical events and concerts are held in Nurmes.
Summer Events
In the summertime, Nurmes hosts cultural events like Nurmes Summer Music, which usually takes place at the beginning of July.
P. J. Hannikainen's Legacy
The famous Finnish composer P. J. Hannikainen was from Nurmes. Because of him, a theatre, a street, and a playschool in Nurmes are named after him. There is also a monument dedicated to him in the center of Nurmes.
Cultural Centers and Museums
- Nurmes-talo: This is the Nurmes Cultural Center. It houses the town's library, a cinema, an art gallery, and a museum. Nurmes-talo was renovated and reopened on August 9, 2021.
- Ikola museum: There is another museum in Nurmes called the Ikola museum.
Nurmes is also known as the hometown of the main character in the movie The Man Without a Past (Mies vailla menneisyyttä), a famous film from 2002 by Aki Kaurismäki.
Notable People from Nurmes
Many interesting people have come from Nurmes, including:
- Elli Saurio (1899–1966), an economist
- Mikko Collan, a military officer and politician
- P. J. Hannikainen, a composer
- Jani Hartikainen, a football player
- Juha Holopainen, a skier
- Ilkka Laitinen, a military officer and government executive
- Pekka Meriläinen, a stonemason and politician
- Urho Peltonen, a javelin thrower
- Olli Soikkeli, a jazz guitarist
International Connections
Twin Towns and Sister Cities
Nurmes has special friendships with other towns around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities." They often share cultural exchanges and friendly visits. Nurmes is twinned with:
See also
In Spanish: Nurmes para niños
