| Kuopio is a Finnish city located in the province of Eastern Finland and the region of Northern Savonia. A population of 91,000 makes it the 8th biggest city in the country. The city has a total area of 1,730 kmē, of which 805 kmē is water and half forest. The population density is only 52 inhabitants/kmē, but the center of the city is populated very densely, even comparable to the Helsinki metropolitan area. The population of the whole Kuopio region is about 120,000.
Kuopio was founded in 1653 by Governor Peter Brahe, but the official date is recognized as November 17, 1775, when King Gustav III of Sweden ordered the establishment of the city of Kuopio. The municipality of Vehmersalmi joined the city of Kuopio on January 1st 2005 like the municipality of Kuopion maalaiskunta in 1969 and the municipality of Riistavesi in 1973.
The city is surrounded by lake Kallavesi, and several parts of it are built on islands. Kuopio is known for its association with a national delicacy, Finnish fish pastry (Kalakukko), and the dialect of Savo, as well as the hill of Puijo and the Puijo tower. Besides being a very popular outdoor recreation area, Puijo serves also as a stage for a yearly World Cup ski jumping competition.
The traffic connections are good, including Pendolino trains and air service from Finnair and Blue1.
Kuopio is known as the cultural center of Eastern Finland. A wide range of musical (from kindergarten to doctorate-level studies) and dance education is available and the cultural life is active. Notable events include ANTI - Contemporary Art Festival, Kuopio Dance Festival, Kuopio Rockcock, Kuopio Wine Festival and Finland Ice Marathon.
In Finland the inhabitants of Kuopio have a special reputation: they are known as jovial, verbally joking and lacking self-irony. People of Kuopio region and Eastern Finland have always had many health problems and the mortality has been higher than on an average in Finland.
During the 2000s Kuopio has placed very well in many image, popularity and city-attractiveness -queries. It has always been near the top among the Finnish cities.
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