Ita Uusimaa

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Region name: Itä-Uusimaa (Finnish) Östra Nyland (Swedish)

Region symbol:

Population: 93 564 (31.3.2009)

Population Density: 34 inhabitants / km²

Size: 2 761 km²

Languages: Finnish 68 % Swedish 32 %

Map of the region:

ADMINISTRATION:

Region of Itä-Uusimaa is one of six regions of the Province of Southern Finland. Regional Council of Itä-Uusimaa (http://www.ita-uusimaa.fi/) is organization for regional co-operation and regional financier of development projects. It is financed by the 10 municipalities of Itä-Uusimaa region. The municipalities are: 1) Askola - http://www.askola.fi/ 2) Lapinjärvi (Lappträsk) - http://www.lapinjarvi.fi/ 3) Liljendal - http://www.liljendal.fi/ 4) Loviisa (Lovisa) - http://www.loviisa.fi/ 5) Myrskylä - http://www.myrskyla.fi/ 6) Pernaja (Pernå) - http://www.pernaja.fi/ 7) Porvoo (Borgå) - http://www.porvoo.fi/ 8) Pukkila - http://www.pukkila.fi/ 9) Ruotsinpyhtää (Strömfors) - http://www.ruotsinpyhtaa.fi/ 10) Sipoo (Sibbo) - http://www.sipoo.fi/(Swedish language names in brackets) Source: Itä-Uudenmaan maakuntaportaali (http://www.ita-uusimaa.fi/)

THE REGION OF ITÄ-UUSIMAA:

The Region of Itä-Uusimaa consists of ten capable and rich in tradition inland and coastal municipalities: Askola, Lapinjärvi, Liljendal, Loviisa, Myrskylä, Pernaja, Porvoo, Pukkila, Ruotsinpyhtää and Sipoo.

Two of these municipalities Porvoo and Loviisa are cities. The biggest municipalities by population in the region are Porvoo, Sipoo and Loviisa. Regions land area is 2747 km2 and shoreline 3698 km. Region has about 94000 inhabitants with 32 % of inhabitants speaking Swedish as their mother tongue. Majority of municipalities are bilinguals, Askola and Pukkila are Finnish speaking municipalities.

Itä-Uusimaa is a place where west and east meet in historical and in present sense. The municipalities in Itä-Uusimaa are situated by the European road E18 that links the southern coast of Finland to St Petersburg in Russia. E18 is a gate to Europe and Russia. Highway 6 links the region to eastern parts of Finland and Russian Karelia. The ancient historical highway Kings Road runs along the southern coast of Itä-Uusimaa. It has been nationwide route since 14th century.

Region of Itä-Uusimaa offers unique opportunities for recreational travellers as well as for travellers interested in culture. Itä-Uusimaa is harbouring oldest buildings in Finland. Places of historical interest are found in each municipality such as the unique portholes in Askola, Old Towns in Porvoo and Loviisa, Strömfors iron works, river valley areas, churches and manors. The Archipelago of Itä-Uusimaa is loved by thousands of Finns. (Source: http://www.ita-uusimaa.fi/)

INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE:

Itä-Uusimaa is the most industrialised region in Finland when measured by the value added in production (2003). Half of the regions gross domestic product is received from industry. Industry and service sectors have the most significant roles in Porvoo, refining in Ruotsinpyhtää. Agricultural municipalities are Lapinjärvi, Liljendal, Myrskylä and Pukkila. Service sector is relatively big employer in Sipoo. Unemployment rate is low in Itä-Uusimaa compared to national unemployment rate.

The most important industries in Itä-Uusimaa are oil refinery, petrochemical industry and chemical products, electrical engineering, publishing and printing services. The most significant employers in the region are Fortum, oil refinery in Porvoo and Fortum Power plant in Loviisa. Other industries are Norpe, Ensto, Schneider Electric and Lival. Biggest employer in printing business is WSOY subsidiary WS Bookwell Oy, Porvoo. Other significant businesses in region are petrochemical producer Borealis Polymers Oy, Porvoo, forestry products Stora Enso Sawmill, Porvoo and Corenso United, producer of coreboards, cores and tubes, Loviisa. Itä-Uusimaa has been famous of its cheese products and it has been even called “Ostnyland” (cheese-Itä-Uusimaa), which is used even today. “Ostnyland" areas were Porvoo, Pernaja, Liljendal, Lapinjärvi, Loviisa and Ruotsinpyhtää. Today nationwide known Ingman Foods in Sipoo and Lapinjärvi is producing dairy products respecting traditions.

Itä-Uusimaa is famous of its delicacies such as Runeberg´s pastries, Brunberg´s kisses, as well as liquorice. (source: http://www.ita-uusimaa.fi/ )

Number of companies:

7 052

Employment by sectors:

Services 22,4 %, Trade 15,1 %, Primary production 14,8, % Building, 12,9 %, Transportation 6,7 %, Industry 6,0 %

 Main Fields of Industry by turnover:

1) Chemical industry 2) Food and Drinks 3) Electrical equipments 4) Machines and equipment 5) Metal Industry

Main Fields of Industry by employment: 1) Chemical industry 2) Machines and equipment 3) Electrical equipments 4) Metal Industry 5) Food and Drinks

EDUCATION:

Main vocational and higher vocational institutions (in alphabetical order):

1. Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences http://www.haaga-helia.fi/

2. Inveon – Östra Nylands Yrkesinstitut (vocational college) http://www.inveon.fi/

3. Laurea University of Applied Sciences http://www.laurea.fi/

4. Porvoo Commercial College http://www.pkol.net/

5. Porvoo Vocational College, Amisto http://www.amisto.fi/

6. Porvoon terveydenhuolto-oppilaitos (health care college) http://city.porvoo.fi/teho

(Source: Porvoo Tourism office)

(Source: Porvoo Tourism office)