Ostrobothnia (administrative region)

Name and symbols

Prior to the officialization of the names of the Finnish regions, Ostrobothnia was also known as Vasa kustregionen in Swedish and Vaasan rannikkoseutu in Finnish, both of which translate into "[the] coastal region of Vaasa". The Institute for the Languages of Finland recommended that the region be named Kustösterbotten in Swedish and Rannikko-Pohjanmaa in Finnish, meaning "coastal Ostrobothnia" in English. However, upon the confirmation of the names of the Finnish regions on 26 February 1998, the current name of the region was officialized instead, according to the wishes of the regional government. The central government cited the Swedish language's prevalence in the region, as well as the lack of a common consensus on an alternative name the reasons for its decision. In local circles or communities, Ostrobothnia is often referred to as "Pampas". The word derives from the similarities in the flat landscape with the Pampas area in South America.

The regional tree is the black alder (Alnus glutinosa), the regional mammal is the common elk (Alces alces), the regional stone is Vaasa granite and the regional song is "The march of Vaasa" (, ).

Coat of arms

Blazon: Gules, a sheaf Or; on chief countercharged four ermines 2+2 courant.

The golden wheatsheaf on a red field is the emblem of the House of Vasa, the dynasty that ruled Sweden (and by extension, Finland) during the 16th and 17th centuries. The ermines are the symbol of the historical province of Ostrobothnia. They reflect the region's historical significance in pelt trade. Their number represents the historical division of the region into four sub-regions.

The colors gold and red are among Finland's oldest heraldic tinctures and remain particularly associated with the Swedish-speaking population.

Municipalities

Main article: Municipalities of Ostrobothnia

The region of Ostrobothnia consists of 14 municipalities, 6 of which have city status (marked in bold).

Map of municipalities

Sub-regions

Vaasa sub-region

• [[File:Korsnäs.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Korsnäs
• [[File:Laihia.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Laihia
• [[File:Maalahti.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Malax
• [[File:Mustasaari vaakuna.svg|23px]] Korsholm
• [[File:Vaasa.vaakuna2.svg|23px]] Vaasa
• [[File:Vöyri-Maksamaa.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Vörå Jakobstad sub-region
• [[File:Kruunupyy.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Kronoby
• [[File:Luoto.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Larsmo
• [[File:Pedersöre.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Pedersöre
• [[File:Pietarsaari.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Jakobstad
• [[File:Uusikaarlepyy.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Nykarleby Sydösterbotten
• [[File:Kaskinen.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Kaskinen
• [[File:Kristiinankaupunki.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Kristinestad
• [[File:Närpiö.vaakuna.svg|23px]] Närpes

List of municipalities

Language numbers

Climate

Ostrobothnia is located in the borderlands between the humid continental and subarctic climates (Köppen Dfb/Dfc). Its winters are moderated by prevailing westerly winds from the mild North Atlantic Current travelling across Norway, Sweden and the Bay of Bothnia. Although the sea tends to easily freeze over in winter during prolonged spells of cold weather due to the low salinity, winters seldom get severely cold.

In general during latter decades, the southern Bothnia Bay coastlines of central Norrland in Sweden across the strait and Ostrobothnia mostly range from slightly above 20 C average highs in summer to about -3 C highs and -10 C lows in winter. Due to the vastness of the region from north to south, this will vary by a bit from one place to another depending on latitude.

Precipitation is quite variable but is enough to build up a reliable snowpack all through the region during winter months. In summer, Ostrobothnia experiences perpetual civil twilight due to its high latitude with the sun angle never falling below -3° at summer solstice in Vaasa and -2° in Jakobstad. During that time of the year, daylight remains bright enough to permit daytime outdoor activities without artificial lighting especially under clear skies. As a result, days are short during winter although all areas of Ostrobothnia are far south of the Arctic Circle.

References

References

1. [http://stats.oecd.org/ Regions and Cities > Regional Statistics > Regional Economy > Regional GDP per Capita], OECD.Stats. Accessed on 16 November 2018.
2. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090612185805/http://pxweb2.stat.fi/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=060_vaerak_tau_107_fi&ti=V%E4est%F6+kielen+mukaan+sek%E4+ulkomaan+kansalaisten+m%E4%E4r%E4+ja+maa%2Dpinta%2Dala+alueittain++1980+%2D+2008&path=../Database/StatFin/vrm/vaerak/&lang=3&multilang=fi Väestö iän ja sukupuolen mukaan alueittain] 31.12.2008. Tilastokeskus: demography.
3. "Aika, kallioperä ja jääkaudet » Merenkurkun saaristo".
4. "Island town | Visit Kaskinen".
5. (26 February 1998). "Valtioneuvosto nimesi Suomen maakunnat".
6. Lång, Fredrik. "Författarnas Österbotten: Pampas eller Plattlandet". KulturÖsterbotten.
7. "Maakunnan tunnusmerkit".
8. "11rl -- Language according to age and sex by region, 1990-2022". Statistics Finland.
9. "Sunrise and sunset times in Vaasan Lääni, June 2021". Timeanddate.com.
10. "Sunrise and sunset times in Jakobstad, June". Timeanddate.com.