Savonlinna
—  Town  —
Savonlinnan kaupunki
The marina of Savonlinna
Coat of arms
Location of Savonlinna in Finland
Coordinates: 61°52′05″N 028°53′10″E / 61.86806°N 28.88611°E / 61.86806; 28.88611Coordinates: 61°52′05″N 028°53′10″E / 61.86806°N 28.88611°E / 61.86806; 28.88611
Country	Finland
Province	Eastern Finland
Region	Southern Savonia
Sub-region	Savonlinna sub-region
Charter	1639
Government
- Town manager	Janne Laine
Area (2009-01-01)[1]
- Total	1,973.34 km2 (761.9 sq mi)
- Land	1,210.86 km2 (467.5 sq mi)
- Water	762.48 km2 (294.4 sq mi)
Area rank	41st largest in Finland
Population (2009-06-30)[2]
- Total	27,779
- Density	22.94/km2 (59.4/sq mi)
Population rank	40th largest in Finland
Population by native language [3]
- Finnish	97.7% (official)
- Swedish	0.1%
- Others	2.2%
Population by age [4]
- 0 to 14	13.7%
- 15 to 64	64.5%
- 65 or older	21.8%
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Municipal tax rate[5]	20.25%
Website	www.savonlinna.fi

Savonlinna (Swedish: Nyslott, literally Newcastle, Russian: Нейшлот, Neishlott during 18th and 19th centuries. The Finnish name means Castle of Savonia.) is a town and a municipality of 27,779 (30 June 2009)^[2] inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region.

The city was founded in 1639, based around Olavinlinna. The castle was founded by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475 in an effort to protect Savonia and to control the unstable border between the Kingdom of Sweden and its Russian adversary. During the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743), the castle was captured by Field-Marshal Peter Lacy. It was held by Russia between 1743 and 1812, when it was granted back to Finland as a part of the "Old Finland".

This town is 335 kilometres (208 mi) away from the capital of Helsinki by road, some four hours away by train. There is an airport in the town, and the journey to Helsinki takes 40–60 minutes by plane. It is built on a chain of islands located throughout a number of large lakes.

In 1973 the municipality of Sääminki was consolidated with Savonlinna. In the beginning of year 2009 the municipality of Savonranta and a 31.24 km² (12.06 sq mi) land strip from Enonkoski between Savonlinna and Savonranta were consolidated with Savonlinna.

University of Joensuu has a campus in Savonlinna, primarily for teacher education.

Contents 1 Attractions 2 Sports 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Attractions

The city hosts the famous annual Savonlinna Opera Festival. The operas are performed on a stage built inside the castle. It also has hosted the Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships annually since 2000.

[edit] Sports

The ice hockey team of Savonlinna, SaPKo or Savonlinnan Pallokerho, is playing in the second tier Mestis. The volleyball team East Volley is playing in the second tier I-sarja. The football team Savonlinnan Työväen Palloseura (STPS), is playing in Kolmonen, the fourth tier.

Ville Leino, a professional ice hockey forward for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League was born in Savonlinna.

Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins in the NHL is from Savonlinna.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Media related to Savonlinna at Wikimedia Commons
• Town of Savonlinna – Official site
• savonlinna.travel
• Savonlinna travel guide from Wikitravel
• World66 – Open source travel guide
• Map of Savonlinna

v • d • e Municipalities of Southern Savonia Municipalities Enonkoski · Heinävesi · Hirvensalmi · Joroinen · Juva · Kangasniemi · Kerimäki · Mikkeli · Mäntyharju · Pertunmaa · Pieksämäki · Punkaharju · Puumala · Rantasalmi · Ristiina · Savonlinna · Sulkava Former municipalities Anttola · Haukivuori · Kangaslampi · Mikkelin maalaiskunta · Jäppilä · Pieksämäen maalaiskunta · Pieksänmaa · Sääminki · Savonranta · Virtasalmi Southern Savonia · Eastern Finland · Finland