Eastern Finland - Definition and Overview

The Province of Eastern Finland is a province of Finland. It borders to the provinces of Oulu, Western Finland and Southern Finland. It also borders to Russia.

Itä-Suomen lääni Östra Finlands län Province FI-IS Residence city Mikkeli Governor Pirjo Ala-Kapee Historical provinces Karelia Savonia Regions North Karelia Northern Savonia Southern Savonia Area  - Total Ranked 4th 48,726 km² Population  - Total (2002)  - Density Ranked 3rd 588,106 12,0/km²

Map highlighting the location of the Province of Eastern Finland

Historical Provinces

For History, Geography and Culture see: Savonia and Karelia

In the 1997 redesign that reduced the number of provinces in Finland from 12 to 6, Mikkeli province, Kuopio province and Pohjois-Karjala province formed the new province of Eastern Finland.

Administration

Main article: Eastern Finland State Provincial Office

The State Provincial Office is a joint regional authority of seven different ministries. It promotes national and regional objectives of the State central administration. Eastern Finland State Provincial Office has branches offices in Mikkeli, Joensuu, Kuopio.

Regions

Main article: Regions of Eastern Finland

Eastern Finland is divided into three regions:

• North Karelia (Pohjois-Karjala/ Norra Karelen)
• Northern Savonia (Pohjois-Savo/ Norra Savolax)
• Southern Savonia (Etelä-Savo/ Södra Savolax)

The regions in Eastern Finland are divided on 66 municipalities.

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Eastern Finland

The coat of arms of Eastern Finland is composed of the arms of Savonia and Karelia.

External links

• Eastern Finland State Provincial Office (http://www.laaninhallitus.fi/ita) - Official site

Provinces of Finland
Eastern Finland | Lapland | Oulu | Southern Finland | Western Finland | Åland