Tampere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tampere
Tammerfors (Swedish)
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City
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| Tampereen kaupunki Tammerfors stad City of Tampere |
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Clockwise from top: the cityscape (viewed from Näsinneula); Tampere City Hall; Särkänniemi (from Näsinneula); Tampere Hall; the skyline with Näsinneula; Tammerkoski from Hämeensilta Bridge; and the Cathedral.
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| Nickname(s):
Manchester of the North, Manse (in Finnish), Nääsville (in Finnish), Sauna Capital of the World
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Location of Tampere in Finland
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| Country |  Finland |
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| Region |  Pirkanmaa |
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| Sub-region | Tampere sub-region | ||
| Metropolitan area | Tampere metropolitan area | ||
| City rights | 1 October 1779 | ||
| Area
(2018-01-01)
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| • City | 689.59 km2 (266.25 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 524.89 km2 (202.66 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 164.56 km2 (63.54 sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 258.52 km2 (99.82 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 166th largest in Finland | ||
| Population
(2023-12-31)
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| • City | 255,050 | ||
| • Rank | 3rd largest in Finland | ||
| • Density | 485.91/km2 (1,258.5/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 334,112 | ||
| • Urban density | 1,211.0/km2 (3,136/sq mi) | ||
| • Metro | 403,321 | ||
| Demonym(s) | tamperelainen (Finnish) tammerforsare (Swedish) Tamperean (English) |
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| Population by native language | |||
| • Finnish | 89% (official) | ||
| • Swedish | 0.5% | ||
| • Others | 10.4% | ||
| Population by age | |||
| • 0 to 14 | 13.3% | ||
| • 15 to 64 | 67.5% | ||
| • 65 or older | 19.2% | ||
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) | ||
Tampere is a big city in Finland. It is the main city of the Pirkanmaa region. Tampere is located in the Finnish Lakeland, a beautiful area with many lakes. About 255,000 people live in Tampere. If you count the surrounding areas, the population is about 417,000.
Tampere is the 3rd largest city in Finland by population. It is the second largest urban area after the Helsinki metropolitan area. Tampere is also the biggest inland city in all the Nordic countries. It is a very important place for business, culture, and city life in inland Finland.
Tampere is special because it sits between two large lakes, Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. There's an 18 m (59 ft) difference in their water levels. The Tammerkoski rapids connect these lakes. These rapids have always been a key source of power, especially for making electricity. Tampere is sometimes called the "Manchester of the North" because it used to be a big industrial city in Finland. This is why its Finnish nickname is "Manse." Tampere is also known as the "Sauna Capital of the World" because it has the most public saunas.
Helsinki is about 160 km (100 mi) south of Tampere. You can get there quickly by train or car. Tampere has an airport, Tampere–Pirkkala Airport, which is quite busy. Major Finnish highways also pass through Tampere. The Tampere light rail system started running in 2021. Tampere is a very popular city in Finland. In 2023, it won an award at the Smart City World Congress in Barcelona for using technology to help its people and businesses.
Contents
- What's in a Name?
- Tampere's Story: A Look Back
- Tampere's Landscape
- Tampere's Economy
- Energy and Water in Tampere
- People of Tampere
- Learning in Tampere
- Arts and Culture in Tampere
- Places to See in Tampere
- Events in Tampere
- Sports in Tampere
- Getting Around Tampere
- Famous People from Tampere
- Tampere's International Friends
- Images for kids
- See also
What's in a Name?
The name Tampere comes from the Tammerkoski rapids. The city and rapids are called Tammerfors in Swedish. The exact meaning of "Tammer-" has been debated. One popular idea is that it comes from an old Sami word meaning "deep, slow part of a stream." Other ideas suggest it comes from Swedish words related to mills or the shape of the rapids.
City Symbols: The Coat of Arms
Tampere has a special symbol called a coat of arms. The first one was designed in 1838. The current one was created in 1960 by Olof Eriksson. This change was a bit controversial at the time.
The current coat of arms has a red background. It shows a wavy gold bar in the middle. Above it is a gold hammer, and below it is a gold caduceus. The hammer looks like the letter "T" for Tampere. It stands for the city's early factories. The caduceus represents trade. The wavy bar shows the Tammerkoski rapids, which divide the city's industrial and trade areas. The colors are the same as the Pirkanmaa region's coat of arms.
Tampere's Story: A Look Back
How Tampere Began
People first settled around the Tammerkoski rapids in the 7th century. They were mostly farmers. By the 16th century, the villages of Messukylä and Takahuhti were the biggest. There was also a market where people traded goods. In the 17th century, the first industries were watermills and sawmills. Later, small ironworks and spinning schools started.
In 1775, Tampere was founded as a market town by Gustav III of Sweden. Four years later, on October 1, 1779, it became a full city. It was a small city then, and its people mainly traded and made crafts. By 1809, Tampere had less than a thousand people.
Growing into an Industrial City
In the 1800s, Tampere grew into an important industrial center. The Finlayson textile factory, started in 1820, was a big reason for this growth. By 1850, it employed about 2,000 people. Other factories like Tampella (for machines and flax) and Frenckell (paper) also opened.
Tampere's population grew very fast. It went from about 7,000 in 1870 to 36,000 in 1900. Many people worked in factories. The city also became more modern. It got sewers, water supply, and was the first Nordic city to have electric lighting for everyone in 1882. A railway line connected Tampere to Helsinki in 1876.
The famous company Nokia Corporation also started near Tampere. It began in 1865 as a pulp mill on the banks of the Tammerkoski rapids.
Important Moments in History
Tampere was important for political events in the early 1900s. In 1905, a meeting of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party happened here. Leaders like Vladimir Lenin attended. Also, in 1905, a famous declaration called the Red Declaration was read in the city's main square.
After Finland became independent, Tampere played a big role in the Finnish Civil War in 1918. It was a strong base for the "Red" forces. The "White" forces, led by General Mannerheim, captured the city after a big battle.
During the Winter War, Tampere was bombed by the Soviet Union. This was because it was a key railway hub and had factories making weapons. The worst bombing was in March 1940.
Tampere Today
After World War II, Tampere grew by adding nearby areas. Its population passed 100,000 in 1950. The city was known for textiles and metal. But in the 1990s, it shifted to information technology and telecommunications. Many tech companies are now in the Hervanta area.
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Finland's second TV channel, Yle TV2, started broadcasting from Tampere in 1965. Tampere became a university city when the Social University moved here in 1960. It became the University of Tampere in 1966.
In the 1990s, many factories closed when the Soviet Union collapsed. But the city adapted. Now, Tampere is known for strong IT companies, including Nokia's research and development.
Tampere's Landscape
Buildings and Styles
Tampere has buildings from many different times. The Old Stone Church of Messukylä is from the medieval period. The Old Church of Tampere shows the Neoclassicism style of the early 1800s. Later, buildings like the Tampere Cathedral and Tampere City Hall were built in styles like Gothic Revival and Renaissance Revival.
Many old industrial buildings along Tammerkoski, like the Finlayson and Tampella factories, are made of red brick. This gives the city a unique look.
Modern Tampere
After the 1930s, new styles like Functionalism and Modernism appeared. Examples include the Tampere Central Station and the University of Tampere.
Since the 2010s, Tampere's city center has been changing. The "Tampere Deck" project includes a new multi-purpose arena and tall buildings near the railway station. A new light rail network has also been built. There are also plans for new living areas on artificial islands in the lakes.
Tampere's Economy
The Tampere region, Pirkanmaa, has about 509,000 people. Around 244,000 of them work. The economy is strong in areas like mechanical engineering, information technology, and health. Most jobs (70%) are in the service sector, like shops and offices. Less than 20% are in manufacturing.
Tourism is very important for Tampere. The biggest attraction is the Särkänniemi amusement park, which gets many visitors. Tampere is the second most popular city in Finland for hotel stays, after Helsinki.
The city gets most of its money from taxes. In 2023, Tampere had a good financial result.
Energy and Water in Tampere
How Tampere Gets Energy
Tampere produces its own electricity and district heating. Power stations like Naistenlahti and Lielahti are key. In 2023, about 80% of the district heating came from renewable energy sources. The city aims to stop using peat completely. They use hydropower, wood, nuclear power, and mixed waste. This has helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Water and Waste Management
Tampere gets its drinking water from both surface water (like lakes) and groundwater. Most surface water comes from Lake Roine. Tampereen Vesi manages water for Tampere and nearby Pirkkala.
The city also treats a lot of wastewater. A new central treatment plant in Sulkavuori will open in 2025. It will treat wastewater for Tampere and several nearby towns. Waste management in Tampere is handled by Pirkanmaan Jätehuolto, which has facilities in Nokia and Tampere.
People of Tampere
Population and Growth
The city of Tampere has 255,050 people. It is the 3rd most populated city in Finland. The larger Tampere region is the second largest in Finland. About 5% of Finland's population lives in Tampere.
Tampere is popular with young adults because it has many schools and universities. Most people in Tampere are well-educated. The city has been growing steadily for many years, attracting new residents from other parts of Finland.
Languages Spoken
Population by mother tongue (2023) Finnish (89.0%) Russian (1.4%) Arabic (1.0%) Farsi (0.9%) English (0.8%) Swedish (0.5%) Estonian (0.4%) Other (5.9%)
Most people in Tampere speak Finnish as their first language (about 89%). A smaller number speak Swedish. Many people also know English or Swedish because they are taught in school. Over 160 different languages are spoken in Tampere. The most common foreign languages are Russian, Arabic, Farsi, and English.
People from Other Countries
| Population by country of birth (2022) | ||
| Nationality | Population | % |
|---|---|---|
| Finland |
226,644 | 91.0 |
 Soviet Union |
2,197 | 0.9 |
 Iraq |
1,252 | 0.5 |
 Afghanistan |
1,182 | 0.5 |
 Sweden |
1,181 | 0.5 |
 Estonia |
1,090 | 0.4 |
 Russia |
873 | 0.4 |
 Iran |
870 | 0.3 |
 China |
846 | 0.3 |
 India |
833 | 0.3 |
 Turkey |
564 | 0.2 |
In 2023, about 10.4% of Tampere's population had a background from another country. Most foreign-born residents came from the former Soviet Union, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sweden, and Estonia. Tampere attracts many people from other parts of Finland, and more new residents are coming from abroad.
Learning in Tampere
Schools for Everyone
Tampere has schools for all ages. Most teaching is in Finnish. There are also special groups where students learn in Finnish and another language, like English, French, or German. There is a private Swedish-speaking school that teaches all levels from preschool to high school.
Higher Education
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Tampere is home to three big places for higher education, with about 40,000 students. Tampere University (TUNI) has over 20,000 students. It was formed in 2019 by combining two older universities. TUNI is also a major owner of the Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), which has about 10,000 students. The Police University College, which trains police officers for all of Finland, is also in Tampere.
The Tampere University Hospital (TAYS) is a big teaching hospital linked to Tampere University. It has many medical specialties. There is also the Tampere Christian School, which offers basic education based on Christian values.
Arts and Culture in Tampere
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Tampere has a lively cultural scene. Many famous Finnish writers, like Väinö Linna, are from Tampere. They often wrote about the lives of working-class people. Every year on October 1st, Tampere celebrates Tampere Day with many public events.
Media and Entertainment
Tampere is a big center for media. The national TV channel Yle TV2 has been broadcast from Tampere since the 1970s. Many popular TV shows have been filmed here. The city also has a play park named after a famous children's TV show, Pikku Kakkonen's Park.
The Tampere Film Festival is an international event for short films held every March. Tampere has also been a filming location for international movies. The newspaper Aamulehti, founded in 1881, is one of the largest in Finland. The city is also home to the popular YouTube channel Hydraulic Press Channel. The company Colossal Order, which makes the hit city-building game Cities: Skylines, is based in Tampere.
Local Food
A special local food is mustamakkara (black sausage). It's made from pork, pig's blood, and rye, and is often eaten with lingonberry jam. You can find it at kiosks in places like Tammelantori square.
Another Tampere treat is munkki, which are fresh, sugary doughnuts. They are traditionally sold at the Pyynikki observation tower. Tampere is also known for its peremech, a pie with seasoned ground meat inside. Tampere is sometimes called the "wings capital of Finland" because people here eat a lot of hot wings.
Music Scene
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Tampere has the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, one of only two full-sized symphony orchestras in Finland. They perform classical, popular, and film music at the Tampere Hall. Tampere also hosts music festivals like the Tampere Jazz Happening.
Manserock is a term for rock music from Tampere with Finnish lyrics. It was very popular in the 1970s and 80s. Today, Tampere has a strong rock and heavy metal scene. The Sauna Open Air Metal Festival is a big metal music event here. Tampere also hosts a World of Tango Festival.
Theatre and Shows
Tampere has a long history of theater. There are several well-known theaters, including Tampereen Työväen Teatteri and Tampereen Teatteri. Pyynikin Kesäteatteri is an open-air theater with a unique revolving stage. The Tampere Theatre Festival is an international event held every August. Tampere also has its own opera company.
There are also cinemas in Tampere, including two Finnkino theaters and a private Arthouse Cinema Niagara.
Religious Life
Most people in Tampere belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. There are many Lutheran churches, like the Finlayson Church. Other Christian groups also have services, including English-speaking ones. The Catholic parish offers services in Finnish, Polish, and English. Tampere also has three registered Muslim communities.
Friendly Rivalry with Turku
Tampere has a fun, long-standing rivalry with Turku, another big city in Finland. They often joke about each other. Tampere is known for its food culture. Students from Tampere even make trips to Turku to jump on the market square, pretending to push the city back into the sea!
Places to See in Tampere
One of the main attractions is the Särkänniemi amusement park. It has the famous Näsinneula tower with a revolving restaurant at the top. Other interesting places include the Tampere Cathedral, Tampere City Hall, and the Tampere Central Library called Metso. The Tampere Hall hosts concerts and conferences. You can also visit the Tampere Market Hall and the historic Pyynikki observation tower.
Tampere has many hotels, including Hotel Tammer and Hotel Torni, which is the tallest hotel in Finland. There are also many shopping centers like Ratina and Koskikeskus.
Tampere is home to one of the last museums in the world dedicated to Vladimir Lenin. It's in the Tampere Workers' Hall, where Lenin met Joseph Stalin for the first time. The museum will close in November 2024 and reopen as Nootti (Note) in February 2025.
There are many museums and galleries, such as:
- The Vapriikki Museum Centre (which includes the Natural History Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame, and Museum of Games)
- Hatanpää Manor and its beautiful garden
- The Näsilinna Palace
- Tampere Art Museum
- The Moomin Museum, about the famous Moomin characters
- Spy Museum
Pispala: A Unique Ridge
Pispala is a special ridge between the two big lakes. It's known as the highest gravel ridge in the world. It rises 80 m (260 ft) above Lake Pyhäjärvi. In the past, many factory workers lived here. Pispala joined Tampere in 1937. Today, it's a residential area with a lot of history.
Events in Tampere
Big Concerts
Ratina Stadium in Tampere has hosted many huge concerts. Famous bands like Nightwish, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, and Rammstein have performed there.
Tammerfest is Tampere's urban rock festival held every July. Blockfest is the biggest hip hop event in the Nordic countries, also held in Tampere during the summer.
Sports in Tampere
Ice Hockey Capital
Tampere is famous for ice hockey. The first Finnish ice hockey game was played here on Lake Pyhäjärvi. Tampere is even called the hometown of Finnish ice hockey. Three great teams are from Tampere: Tappara, Ilves, and Koovee. Tappara and Ilves are among the most successful teams in Finland.
The Finnish ice hockey museum is in Tampere. The city also has the first ice hockey arena built in Finland, the Hakametsä arena. A new, modern arena called Nokia Arena opened in 2021. It has hosted the 2022 IIHF World Championship and 2023 IIHF World Championship.
Other Popular Sports
Football is also very popular. The professional football club Ilves has over 4,000 players in its teams. Tampere hosted some football games for the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Basketball is another favorite sport. Tampere has three basketball teams. One of them, Tampereen Pyrintö, plays at the highest level and has won Finnish championships. Tampere will also host games for EuroBasket 2025.
Tampere has teams for pesäpallo (Finnish baseball), baseball, softball, and American football. The city also has a long history in gymnastics. Other popular sports include volleyball, wrestling, and boxing. Tampere has hosted world championships for canoe sprint and rowing. In 2023, it hosted the European Masters Games.
Getting Around Tampere
Tampere is a key railway hub in Finland. You can take direct trains to many cities like Helsinki and Turku. About 150 trains arrive and depart from the Tampere Central Station every day. There are also many bus connections.
For cars, the Tampere Ring Road is very important. It's one of the busiest roads in Finland outside of Helsinki. A new road tunnel called the Tampere Tunnel helps traffic flow under the city center.
Tampere has its own airport, Tampere–Pirkkala Airport, located just outside the city. You can get to the airport by bus.
The city's public transport includes a bus network and two lines of the city's light rail, which started in 2021. Tampere also has busy inland waterway traffic on its lakes, especially to Viikinsaari island.
Tampere has also worked hard to make cycling and walkability easy. It was even named "Cycling Municipality of the Year" in 2013. More and more people are choosing to bike in the city.
How Far to Other Cities?
- Helsinki – 180 km (110 mi)
- Turku – 163 km (101 mi)
- Jyväskylä – 150 km (93 mi)
- Oulu – 490 km (300 mi)
- Pori – 110 km (68 mi)
Famous People from Tampere
Born Before 1900
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- Minna Canth (1844–1897), a famous author and social activist.
- James Finlayson (1772–1852), a Scottish industrialist who started the Finlayson company.
- Wivi Lönn (1872–1966), a well-known architect.
- Juho Kusti Paasikivi (1870–1956), who became the Prime Minister of Finland and later the 7th President of Finland.
- Frans Eemil Sillanpää (1888–1964), an author who won the Nobel Prize.
Born After 1900
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- Aleksander Barkov (born 1995), a professional ice hockey player.
- Anna Falchi (born 1972), a Finnish-Italian model and actress.
- Roope Hintz (born 1996), a professional ice hockey player.
- Patrik Laine (born 1998), a professional ice hockey player.
- Väinö Linna (1920–1992), a famous author.
- Sanna Marin (born 1985), who was the Prime Minister of Finland from 2019 to 2023.
- Pate Mustajärvi (born 1956), a popular rock singer.
- Olavi Virta (1915–1972), a well-loved singer.
Tampere's International Friends
Tampere has "twin cities" and "friendship cities" around the world. These connections help cities learn from each other and build relationships.
- Chemnitz, Germany
- Essen, Germany
- Kaunas, Lithuania
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Klaksvík, Faroe Islands
- Kópavogur, Iceland
- Linz, Austria
- Łódź, Poland
- Miskolc, Hungary
- Norrköping, Sweden
- Odense, Denmark
- Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Brașov, Romania
- Tartu, Estonia
- Trondheim, Norway
- Guangzhou, China
- Syracuse, United States
Tampere also has two additional "friendship cities":
Images for kids
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The old Tampella factory in Tampere
See also
In Spanish: Tampere para niños
