Kuusamo

Kuusamo, a town and municipality in Finland, with a population of 15,019 as of December 31, 2023, encompassing an extensive area of 5,808.92 square kilometers in the northeastern section of the Northern Ostrobothnia region. The vast region of Koillismaa features an exceptionally low population density of about 3.02 individuals per square kilometer, indicative of its predominantly pristine natural environment.

Located on a plateau around 250 meters above sea level, Kuusamo’s distinctive geographical location causes its waters to flow in five distinct directions. The municipality is distinguished by its varied geography, with many hills (vaara) and fells (tunturi). Valtavaara, Kuntivaara, Iivaara, and Rukatunturi are notable, with the latter two attaining remarkable elevations of 469 and 492 meters, respectively. Rukatunturi is significant as it features the esteemed Ruka ski facility, a fundamental element of Kuusamo’s flourishing tourist sector.

The terrain of Kuusamo is characterized by verdant woods, which encompass a remarkable 90% of the land area. The forests predominantly comprise pine trees, which constitute 70% of the forest composition, supplemented by spruce (20%) and deciduous trees (10%). This lush landscape contains many bodies of water, with lakes comprising 14% of Kuusamo’s total area. The municipality features 166 lakes, including prominent ones like Joukamojärvi, Kiitämä, Kitka, Kurkijärvi, Kuusamojärvi, Muojärvi, and Suininki. The river systems of the region are notable, with the Oulankajoki, Kitkajoki, Kuusinkijoki, and Pistojoki flowing eastward into the White Sea, while the Iijoki flows westward to the Gulf of Bothnia.

Oulanka National Park, a premier attraction of Kuusamo, is jointly administered with the adjacent municipality of Salla. This protected area encompasses 270 square kilometers, highlighting the region’s natural beauty, which includes pine trees, the winding Oulankajoki River with its sandy banks and rapids, and vast marshlands in the northern half. The park serves as a sanctuary for wildlife, harboring 30 species of mammals and 120 species of birds, including notable species such as brown bears, golden eagles, and white-tailed eagles. Although encounters with wolves and lynxes are few, their existence enhances the park’s untamed appeal.

Kuusamo’s natural environment is visually striking and possesses remarkable air quality. IQAir reports that the town possesses the cleanest air globally, characterized by very low concentrations of fine particles at just 0.2 μg/m3. The exceptional air quality greatly enhances the region’s attractiveness for both inhabitants and tourists desiring a wholesome, natural setting.

Kuusamo’s economy is multifaceted, encompassing essential areas like as forestry, reindeer herding, small-scale businesses, and tourism. Notwithstanding its natural riches and burgeoning tourism sector, the town confronts economic difficulties, as indicated by a rather elevated unemployment rate of 16.2% in 2003. Agriculture significantly contributes to the local economy, with 248 farms documented in 2002. Due to the region’s climatic circumstances, the emphasis is predominantly on milk and meat production, encompassing reindeer meat from the about 10,000 semi-domesticated reindeer that graze in Kuusamo’s meadows. The forestry and wood processing sector is a significant employer, offering employment to more than 1,000 individuals.

Tourism serves as a vital economic catalyst for Kuusamo, with over one million people each year. In 2002, the municipality documented 291,222 overnight stays, with 17% of them ascribed to overseas visitors. Kuusamo’s popularity as a holiday resort is evidenced by the prevalence of cottages, referred to locally as mökki, which surpasses that of any other municipality in Finland.

The Ruka ski center, situated around the 492-meter Rukatunturi fell, is central to Kuusamo’s tourism business. This premier facility is among Finland’s largest, with 16,000 beds, four hotels, and 28 eateries. Ruka’s allure transcends its dimensions, enhanced by an unusually protracted snowy season that lasts from mid-October to mid-June. The prolonged winter season facilitates many sports, such as skiing, snowmobile excursions, and reindeer and dog sledding tours.

Although winter activities are a significant attraction, Kuusamo’s appeal endures year-round. During the summer months, the municipality becomes a sought-after wilderness destination, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts engaged in fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The Bear’s Ring (Karhunkierros) track, extending 80 kilometers across breathtaking terrain, predominantly within Oulanka National Park, is the most frequented hiking path in the area.

Accessibility is crucial to Kuusamo’s success as a tourist resort. The municipality is effectively linked by road, with National Highway 5 (E63) connecting it to Southern Finland, Highway 20 facilitating access to Oulu, and main route 81 leading to Rovaniemi. Kuusamo Airport, situated 6 kilometers from the city center and 27 kilometers from Ruka, provides daily direct flights from Helsinki through Finnair, along with supplementary charter flights during high tourist seasons for foreign tourists. The airport’s significance is evidenced by its passenger volume, with 108,394 individuals traversing its gates in 2007.

In addition to Kuusamo’s natural beauty and outdoor sports, the municipality provides cultural opportunities. Completed in 1996, the Kuusamo Hall functions as a conference and cultural center, including regular musical and dramatic events with rotating art exhibitions. The Kuusamo Local History Museum, an outdoor museum situated on a historic farm, offers insights into the region’s local history. Furthermore, a school museum located in the former Kirkkoketo school provides further historical information.

The town’s major church, reconstructed in 1951 following the destruction of its wooden predecessor during the Lapland War, serves as a testament to Kuusamo’s perseverance and historical significance. The church bells, originating from 1698 and 1721, were concealed by German forces during the war and recovered in 1959, enhancing the town’s tale.