Oulu, Kainuu & Koillismaa - Finland - page 497

Canoeing river routes or trekking the Karhunkierros trail in Oulanka National Park,
through some of Finland's finest wilderness scenery
Creeping into the evening forests to spot brown bears or meet their boisterous
orphaned cousins near Kuusamo
Chilling out in the evening sunshine that kisses the kauppatori in Oulu
Getting back to Finland's Stone Age at the informative Kierikkikeskus museum
Braving the Bothnian waters on relaxing Hailuoto island
Letting the young musicians string you along at Kuhmo's excellent chamber music
festival
History
The region reflects its tar-producing history. In the 19th century the remote Kainuu and
Koillismaa areas began producing tar from the numerous pines, and sent it on the pre-
carious journey downriver to Oulu, whence it was shipped to the boat-building nations
of Europe. The merchants prospered, and Oulu still has a sleek, cosmopolitan vibe com-
pared with the backwoodsy feel of the rest of its province.
Oulu
08 / Pop 141,670
Prosperous Oulu (Swedish: Uleåborg) is one of Finland's most enjoyable cities to visit. In
summer angled sunshine bathes the kauppatori (market square) in light and all seems well
with the world. Locals, who appreciate daylight when they get it, crowd the terraces, and
stalls groan under the weight of Arctic berries.
The city centre is spread across several islands, elegantly connected by pedestrian
bridges and cycleways: Oulu's network of bike paths is one of Europe's best. Oulu is also
a significant technology city; the university turns out top-notch IT graduates and the cor-
porate parks on the city's outskirts employ people from all over the globe.