Siilinjärvi Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Siilinjärvi

Municipality

Siilinjärven kunta
Siilinjärvi kommun

Siilinjärvi church

Coat of arms

Location of Siilinjärvi in Finland

Country

Finland

Region

Northern Savonia

Sub-region

Kuopio

Charter

1925

Area

(2018-01-01)

• Total

507.81 km² (196.07 sq mi)

• Land

401 km² (155 sq mi)

• Water

106.85 km² (41.26 sq mi)

Area rank

203rd largest in Finland

Population

(2023-12-31)

• Total

21,290

• Rank

47th largest in Finland

• Density

53.09/km² (137.5/sq mi)

Population by native language

• Finnish

97.6% (official)

• Swedish

0.1%

• Others

2.3%

Population by age

• 0 to 14

19.4%

• 15 to 64

59.3%

• 65 or older

21.3%

Time zone

UTC+02:00 (EET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+03:00 (EEST)

Siilinjärvi is a town in Finland. It is located in the Northern Savonia region. Siilinjärvi is about 20 kilometers north of the city of Kuopio.

The name Siilinjärvi means "Hedgehog's Lake" in Finnish. However, its real origin comes from an old Sámi word. This word means "winter dwelling".

Lakes are a very important part of Siilinjärvi's geography. There are 123 lakes in the area. The largest ones are Kallavesi and Juurusvesi–Akonvesi. Water covers about 21% of the entire area of Siilinjärvi.

Siilinjärvi has a young population. About 23% of the people living there are under 15 years old. The town has eleven elementary schools and two secondary schools. One secondary school is in Suininlahti, and the other is downtown.

The Kuopio Airport is located in Rissala, a village in Siilinjärvi. This airport is also home to the Karelian Air Command. This is a part of the Finnish Air Force.

A famous politician, Jyrki Katainen, was born in Siilinjärvi. He used to be the prime minister of Finland. He also served as a European Commissioner.

What is the Economy of Siilinjärvi Like?
What Services Does Siilinjärvi Offer?
- How Does Siilinjärvi Get Energy and Water?
- What About Fire and Rescue Services?
What is the Culture Like in Siilinjärvi?
- What are Siilinjärvi's Traditional Foods?
Who are Some Famous People from Siilinjärvi?
How Does Siilinjärvi Connect with Other Towns?
Images for kids
See also

What is the Economy of Siilinjärvi Like?

Siilinjärvi Market Square

The main ways people earn money in Siilinjärvi are through services and industry. One of the biggest employers is the Siilinjärvi apatite mine. This mine is owned by a company called Yara International.

Other large companies in Siilinjärvi include Yara International's factory. There is also Lujabetoni Oy and Hydroline Oy. Fun places like the Fontanella Recreational Pool and Spa Hotel Kunnonpaikka also provide jobs.

Only 5% of jobs are in farming or similar activities. About 29% are in industry and construction. The largest share, 66%, are in services. Siilinjärvi has low unemployment rates. In 2016, it was 9.4%, which was lower than the average for Northern Savonia and Finland.

What Services Does Siilinjärvi Offer?

How Does Siilinjärvi Get Energy and Water?

Many homes and buildings in Siilinjärvi use district heating. This means heat is produced in one central place and sent to many buildings. Most of this heat comes from the Yara plant. It uses heat that would otherwise be wasted.

Another source is Savon Voima's Tiprusniemi bioheat plant. This plant makes heat using local wood fuel. There is also a backup heating center that uses LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

Siilinjärvi gets its drinking water from groundwater. This water comes from three special places called groundwater intakes. Two are near the church village, and one is in the Toivala-Vuorela area. Besides the main water plant, 15 smaller water cooperatives serve areas outside the town center.

What About Fire and Rescue Services?

Siilinjärvi has two fire stations. One is run by the North Savonia Rescue Department. The other is the Yara TPK station.

The main fire station is in Simonsalo. It has a team ready 24 hours a day. This station has different vehicles like fire trucks, a tank truck, and a crew transport vehicle. They also have special vehicles for off-road and boat rescues. The Yara TPK station has a fire truck and a boat. There are plans to build a third fire station near the Vuorela area.

What is the Culture Like in Siilinjärvi?

Siilinjärvi has its own local newspaper called Uutis-Jousi. The town also has its own library.

What are Siilinjärvi's Traditional Foods?

In the 1980s, towns in Savonia chose their own special dishes. Siilinjärvi's traditional meal was a "cockscomb". This was a type of potato gruel. It was served with a red berry kissel and whipped cream.

Who are Some Famous People from Siilinjärvi?

Katri-Helena Eskelinen (1925–2014), a Finnish politician.
Jessica Grabowsky (born 1980), a Finnish actress.
Ilkka Herola (born 1995), a Finnish skier.
Jyrki Katainen (born 1971), a Finnish politician and former Prime Minister.
Sanni Leinonen (born 1989), a Finnish alpine skier.
Eetu Luostarinen (born 1998), a Finnish ice hockey player.
MC Raaka Pee (born 1980), a Finnish musician.
Topi Piipponen (born 1997), a Finnish professional ice hockey player.
Kimmo Savolainen (born 1974), a Finnish ski jumper.
Sexmane (born 2000), a Finnish musician.

How Does Siilinjärvi Connect with Other Towns?

Siilinjärvi has special connections with other towns around the world. These are called twin towns or sister cities. They help promote friendship and understanding.

Siilinjärvi is twinned with: