Valkeakoski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valkeakoski
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
Town
|
||
| Valkeakosken kaupunki Valkeakoski stad |
||
Aerial view of Valkeakoski
|
||
|
||
Location of Valkeakoski in Finland
|
||
| Country |  Finland |
|
| Region | Pirkanmaa | |
| Sub-region | Southern Pirkanmaa | |
| Charter | 1923 | |
| Area
(2018-01-01)
|
||
| • Total | 372.03 km2 (143.64 sq mi) | |
| • Land | 272.05 km2 (105.04 sq mi) | |
| • Water | 100.06 km2 (38.63 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 240th largest in Finland | |
| Population
(2023-12-31)
|
||
| • Total | 20,694 | |
| • Rank | 51st largest in Finland | |
| • Density | 76.07/km2 (197.0/sq mi) | |
| Population by native language | ||
| • Finnish | 94.7% (official) | |
| • Swedish | 0.2% | |
| • Others | 5.1% | |
| Population by age | ||
| • 0 to 14 | 15.5% | |
| • 15 to 64 | 56.8% | |
| • 65 or older | 27.7% | |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) | |
Valkeakoski is a town and municipality in Finland. Its name means "white rapids" in Finnish. It is located in the Pirkanmaa region. Valkeakoski is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) south of Tampere. It is also 45 kilometers (28 miles) north of Hämeenlinna. The capital city, Helsinki, is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) north.
As of 31 December 2023, Valkeakoski has a population of 20,694. The town covers an area of 372.03 square kilometres (143.64 sq mi). About 100.06 km2 (38.63 sq mi) of this area is water. The town's main language is Finnish.
Valkeakoski is well-known for its paper industry. It is also famous for its successful football team, FC Haka. The town and its paper industry grew around the Valkeakoski rapids. These rapids connect two lakes: Mallasvesi in the north and Vanajavesi in the south.
Contents
How Valkeakoski Grew: A Look at its History
The area where Valkeakoski is located has been lived in since the Iron Age. This was more than a thousand years ago. Back then, the high ridges in the area were home to the Rapola fort. Later, in the Middle Ages, the mill town of Sääksmäki was the main center.
The Rise of Industry in Valkeakoski
Towards the end of the 1800s, industries started to grow. This made the area that is now Valkeakoski more important. A channel was opened in Valkeakoski in 1869. This helped with transport and trade. The first paper mill was built in 1873. This marked the start of a long tradition of forest industry in the town.
Valkeakoski officially became a town in 1923. Before that, it was part of the Sääksmäki municipality. In 1973, Sääksmäki joined with Valkeakoski.
Exploring Valkeakoski: Districts and Villages
Valkeakoski has both countryside areas and urban districts. The countryside mostly includes areas that were once part of the Sääksmäki municipality.
Countryside and Villages of Valkeakoski
The countryside of Valkeakoski is made up of many villages. These include:
- Sääksmäki (which has smaller areas like Huittula, Ritvala, Kemmola, and more)
- Metsäkansa
- Ylenjoki
- Konho
- Rantoo
- Kärjenniemi
- Vedentaka
- Viuha
- Valto
- Tarttila
- Vanhakylä
Urban Districts of Valkeakoski
The main urban area of Valkeakoski has 25 districts. These districts are further divided into smaller neighborhoods. Some of the districts and their neighborhoods are:
- 1st district: Tervasaari, Myllysaari, Tietola, Tehtaankatu
- 2nd district: Ydinkeskusta (Downtown), Tallinmäki, Kerhomaja
- 3rd district: Kauppilanmäki, Yrjölä, Heikkilä
- 4th district: Jyräänmäki, Haka-alue, Kaskela, Laiska, Lumikorpi, Naakanrinne, Naakka, Pässinmäki
- Antinniemi
- Roukko
- 7th district: Matinmäki, Mäntylä, Roukonperä, Vääräkoivu
- Lintula
- Kirjasniemi
- Ulvajanniemi
- 11th district: Pohjankorpi, Tyry
- 12th district: Juhannusvuori, Kokkola, Naakka, Raikas, Sassi
- Jätevedenpuhdistamo
- 14th district: Raija, Koivuniemi
- Sointula
- Eerola
- Pispantalli
- 18th district: Holmi, Varsanhäntä
- Kärjenniemi
- Irjala
- Kemmola
- Juusonranta
- Valto
- Mahlianmaa
- Länsi-Lintula
Two other areas, Vanhakylä and Viuha, are close to these urban districts.
Sports and Recreation in Valkeakoski
Valkeakoski is well-known for its sports. The town is home to the famous football team FC Haka. This team plays at the Tehtaan kenttä stadium.
Successful Sports Teams
FC Haka also has other sports sections. Their cross-country skiing team is one of the most successful in Finland. Another important local sports group is Koskenpojat. This group has won many national championships in aerobic gymnastics.
Valkeakoski's Global Connections: Twin Towns
Valkeakoski has special connections with other towns around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities." They help promote friendship and understanding between different places.
Valkeakoski's Sister Cities
Valkeakoski is twinned with these towns:
Gotland, Sweden
Kragerø, Norway (since 1954)
Sokol, Russia (since 1971)
Vechelde, Germany (since 1976)
Jelenia Góra, Poland (since 1979)
Nanchang, China (since 1997)
Mariehamn, Åland Islands, Finland (since 1999)
Famous People from Valkeakoski
Many notable people have come from Valkeakoski. Some of them include:
- Veikko Hakulinen
- Mika Kallio
- Kari-Pekka Laaksonen
- Pentti Linkola
- Iris Sihvonen
- Emil Wikström
- Juhani Peltonen
- Alpo Suhonen
- Antti Muurinen
Places to See and Events to Enjoy
Valkeakoski has interesting places to visit and fun events.
- National Football Museum: A great place for football fans to learn about the sport's history.
- Työväen Musiikkitapahtuma music festival: This is a music festival that means "Workers' Music Event."
- Tehtaan kenttä: The home stadium of the FC Haka football team.
Images for kids
-
Tehtaan kenttä – the football stadium in Valkeakoski, Finland, home of the football team FC Haka Valkeakoski
-
Valtakatu, the main shopping street of Valkeakoski
-
Downtown Valkeakoski
-
Factories in Valkeakoski
See also
In Spanish: Valkeakoski para niños
