Joensuu
Encyclopedia
Joensuu is a city and municipality in North Karelia
in eastern Finland
. It is located in the province
of Eastern Finland
and is part of North Karelia
region
. It was founded in 1848. The population of Joensuu is .
Joensuu is a lively student city with over 15,000 students enrolled at the University of Eastern Finland
and a further 4,000 at the North Karelia Technical School.
The largest employers are the municipal City of Joensuu, North Karelian Hospital District Federation of Municipalities, Abloy and Punamusta
.
The European Forest Institute, the University and many other institutes and export enterprises such as Abloy and John Deere
Forestry give Joensuu an international flavour.
in 1848, is the regional centre and the capital of North Karelia
. During the 19th century Joensuu was a city of manufacture and commerce. When in 1860 the city received dispensation rights to initiate commerce, former restrictions against industry were removed and the local sawmills began to prosper and expand. Water traffic was improved by the building of the Saimaa Canal
. Consequently, a lively commerce between the regions of North Karelia
, St.Petersburg and Central Europe
was enabled. At the end of the 19th century Joensuu was one of the largest harbour cities in Finland
.
Throughout the centuries Karelia
n traders have plied the Pielisjoki
River. The river has always been the lively heart of the city. Canals – completed by 1870 – increased the river traffic. Thousands of steamboat
s, barge
s and logging boats sailed along the river during the golden age of river traffic. The Pielisjoki River has also been an important log raft route, providing wood for the sawmill
s and for the entire lumber
industry.
During the last few decades, the formerly modest agrarian town has developed into a vital center of the province. Success in regional annexations, the establishment of the province of Karelia
and investments in education have been the most decisive actions in this development.
Municipality of Pielisensuu was consolidated with Joensuu in 1954. At the beginning of 2005, the municipalities of Kiihtelysvaara
and Tuupovaara
were consolidated with Joensuu. At the beginning of 2009 the municipalities of Eno
and Pyhäselkä
were consolidated with Joensuu. After the most resent consolidations, there are approximately 72,000 inhabitants in the Joensuu municipal area.
The University of Joensuu has, in twenty-five years, expanded to eight faculties. The University of Joensuu is one of the mainstays for the vitality of the city and so for all North Karelia
. Diversified international cooperation in science, industry and commerce benefits the whole region.
The proximity of the eastern border has been an important factor in the history of the city. The Republic of Karelia
is once again a significant area for cooperation with nearby regions in Russia
. Export companies in Joensuu continue the pre-revolutionary traditions in foreign trade.
Joensuu offers varied cultural activities. A series of events – Ilosaarirock
festival, Joensuu Music Winter, Festival of Visual Culture Viscult, Gospel festivals – and the unspoilt environment increase the attractiveness of the city.
Joensuu is sometimes referred to as the Forest Capital of Europe, mainly due to the fact that the European Forest Institute
is based there. Other forestry research and educational facilities are also based in Joensuu.
Distances to other Finnish cities:
Joensuu has a railway station
, which offers intercity connections to Helsinki and local connections to several other places. Numbered bus service is available to all parts of Joensuu. It also has an airport
, with flights to Helsinki.
The city is known for its basketball
club Kataja
, which plays in the Finnish first-tier league Korisliiga
. Other championship level clubs of Joensuu include Josba (floorball
), Mutalan Riento (volleyball
), Kalevan Rasti (orienteering
) and Joensuun Prihat (women's volleyball). The ice hockey
team Jokipojat
plays in the Finnish second-tier league Mestis
, and their home arena is the Mehtimäki Ice Hall
. The local football club Jippo
plays in the Finnish First Division
. Finnish baseball enjoys popularity as well and the local team, Joensuun Maila, plays in the top division Superpesis
.
Joensuu has produced many world class athletes, including Jukka Keskisalo
, the European champion in 2006 at 3000m St., and Aki Parviainen
, the world champion of Javelin throw
in 1999.
, Sweden
Ísafjarðarbær
, Iceland
Tønsberg
, Norway
Petrozavodsk
, Russia
Sortavala
, Russia
Suoyarvi
, Russia
Hof, Germany
North Karelia
North Karelia is a region in eastern Finland. It borders to the regions of Kainuu, Northern Savonia, Southern Savonia, South Karelia and to Russia.The city of Joensuu is the centre of the North Karelia region.- Municipalities :...
in eastern Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. It is located in the province
Provinces of Finland
The state of Finland consisted of six provinces between the years 1997 and 2009. The provincial authority was part of the central government's executive branch, not directly elected. The system was created in 1634, and its makeup was changed drastically in 1997, when the number of the provinces...
of Eastern Finland
Eastern Finland
Eastern Finland was a province of Finland from 1997 to 2010. It bordered the provinces of Oulu, Western Finland and Southern Finland. It also bordered Russia.- History :...
and is part of North Karelia
North Karelia
North Karelia is a region in eastern Finland. It borders to the regions of Kainuu, Northern Savonia, Southern Savonia, South Karelia and to Russia.The city of Joensuu is the centre of the North Karelia region.- Municipalities :...
region
Regions of Finland
Finland consists of 19 regions called in Finnish and in Swedish. The regions are governed by regional councils, which serve as forums of cooperation for the municipalities of a region. The main tasks of the regions are regional planning and development of enterprise and education. In addition,...
. It was founded in 1848. The population of Joensuu is .
Joensuu is a lively student city with over 15,000 students enrolled at the University of Eastern Finland
University of Eastern Finland
The University of Eastern Finland is a university in Finland with three campuses in Joensuu, Kuopio, and Savonlinna. It was formed in 2010 by a merger of two previously independent universities.- History :...
and a further 4,000 at the North Karelia Technical School.
The largest employers are the municipal City of Joensuu, North Karelian Hospital District Federation of Municipalities, Abloy and Punamusta
Punamusta
Punamusta a printing and graphic design company in Joensuu, Finland. Its current director is Jari Avellan.Punamusta is one of the largest printing companies in Finland. It is part of Pohjois-Karjalan Kirjapaino Plc...
.
The European Forest Institute, the University and many other institutes and export enterprises such as Abloy and John Deere
John Deere
John Deere was an American blacksmith and manufacturer who founded Deere & Company, one of the largest and leading agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers in the world...
Forestry give Joensuu an international flavour.
History
The city of Joensuu, which was founded by the Czar Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
in 1848, is the regional centre and the capital of North Karelia
North Karelia
North Karelia is a region in eastern Finland. It borders to the regions of Kainuu, Northern Savonia, Southern Savonia, South Karelia and to Russia.The city of Joensuu is the centre of the North Karelia region.- Municipalities :...
. During the 19th century Joensuu was a city of manufacture and commerce. When in 1860 the city received dispensation rights to initiate commerce, former restrictions against industry were removed and the local sawmills began to prosper and expand. Water traffic was improved by the building of the Saimaa Canal
Saimaa Canal
The Saimaa Canal is a transportation canal that connects lake Saimaa with the Gulf of Finland near Vyborg, Russia. The canal was built from 1845 to 1856 and opened on 7 September 1856 .It was overhauled and widened in 1963–1968....
. Consequently, a lively commerce between the regions of North Karelia
North Karelia
North Karelia is a region in eastern Finland. It borders to the regions of Kainuu, Northern Savonia, Southern Savonia, South Karelia and to Russia.The city of Joensuu is the centre of the North Karelia region.- Municipalities :...
, St.Petersburg and Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
was enabled. At the end of the 19th century Joensuu was one of the largest harbour cities in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
Throughout the centuries Karelia
Karelia
Karelia , the land of the Karelian peoples, is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance for Finland, Russia, and Sweden...
n traders have plied the Pielisjoki
Pielisjoki
Pielisjoki River is a 67 km long river in Eastern Finland. It is the sixth most fast-flowing river in Finland and the largest river draining into Lake Saimaa. The river connects the two largest lakes in North Karelia, Pielinen and Pyhäselkä...
River. The river has always been the lively heart of the city. Canals – completed by 1870 – increased the river traffic. Thousands of steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
s, barge
Barge
A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Some barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats...
s and logging boats sailed along the river during the golden age of river traffic. The Pielisjoki River has also been an important log raft route, providing wood for the sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
s and for the entire lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
industry.
During the last few decades, the formerly modest agrarian town has developed into a vital center of the province. Success in regional annexations, the establishment of the province of Karelia
Karelia
Karelia , the land of the Karelian peoples, is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance for Finland, Russia, and Sweden...
and investments in education have been the most decisive actions in this development.
Municipality of Pielisensuu was consolidated with Joensuu in 1954. At the beginning of 2005, the municipalities of Kiihtelysvaara
Kiihtelysvaara
Kiihtelysvaara is a former municipality of Finland. On January 1, 2005 it was consolidated, together with Tuupovaara, with the city of Joensuu....
and Tuupovaara
Tuupovaara
Tuupovaara is a former municipality of Finland, located in the province of Eastern Finland. It was consolidated, together with Kiihtelysvaara, to municipality of Joensuu on January 1, 2005. The municipality had a population of 2,176 and covered an area of 661.34 km² of which 56.55 km² is water...
were consolidated with Joensuu. At the beginning of 2009 the municipalities of Eno
Eno, Finland
Eno is a former municipality of Finland, now part of Joensuu.It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the North Karelia region. The municipality had a population of 6,764 and covered an area of 1,088.25 km² of which 149.30 km² is water...
and Pyhäselkä
Pyhäselkä
Pyhäselkä is a former municipality of Finland, now part of Joensuu. It seat was located in Hammaslahti.Pyhäselkä is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the North Karelia region. The municipality had a population of 7,390 and covered an area of 351.58 km² of which 71.38 km² is...
were consolidated with Joensuu. After the most resent consolidations, there are approximately 72,000 inhabitants in the Joensuu municipal area.
North Karelia
North Karelia is a region in eastern Finland. It borders to the regions of Kainuu, Northern Savonia, Southern Savonia, South Karelia and to Russia.The city of Joensuu is the centre of the North Karelia region.- Municipalities :...
. Diversified international cooperation in science, industry and commerce benefits the whole region.
The proximity of the eastern border has been an important factor in the history of the city. The Republic of Karelia
Republic of Karelia
The Republic of Karelia is a federal subject of Russia .-Geography:The republic is located in the northwestern part of Russia, taking intervening position between the basins of White and Baltic seas...
is once again a significant area for cooperation with nearby regions in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Export companies in Joensuu continue the pre-revolutionary traditions in foreign trade.
Joensuu offers varied cultural activities. A series of events – Ilosaarirock
Ilosaarirock
The Ilosaarirock Festival is an annual rock festival held on the second weekend of July in Joensuu, Eastern Finland. Founded in 1971, Ilosaarirock is the second oldest rock festival in Finland still active, and one of the oldest in Europe. In 2007 the event had 21,000 daily visitors...
festival, Joensuu Music Winter, Festival of Visual Culture Viscult, Gospel festivals – and the unspoilt environment increase the attractiveness of the city.
Joensuu is sometimes referred to as the Forest Capital of Europe, mainly due to the fact that the European Forest Institute
European Forest Institute
The European Forest Institute is an international organisation established by the European States. By the spring of 2011, a total of 23 European States had ratified the Convention on EFI. With its about 120 Associate and Affiliate Member organisations, five Regional Offices and one Project Centre,...
is based there. Other forestry research and educational facilities are also based in Joensuu.
Statistics
- Nearest airport with regular air service: Joensuu AirportJoensuu AirportJoensuu Airport is an airport in Liperi, Finland, about northwest of Joensuu city centre.-Airlines and destinations:-Statistics:-Weather station:...
, LiperiLiperiLiperi is a municipality of Finland. It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the North Karelia region. Liperi is a picturesque community of with the growth rate of 83 newcomers in 11 months in 2007. The population density is...
, 11 km - Nearest inland port: Joensuu
- Districts: 26
Transport
| City | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Helsinki Helsinki Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is... |
437 km | SW |
| Jyväskylä Jyväskylä Jyväskylä is the capital of Central Finland and the largest city on the Finnish Lakeland, north-east of Tampere and north of Helsinki, on northern coast of lake Päijänne. The city has been continuously one of the most rapidly growing cities in Finland since World War II. The city is surrounded... |
245 km | W |
| Kuopio Kuopio Kuopio is a city and a municipality located in the region of Northern Savonia, Finland. A population of makes it the ninth biggest city in the country. The city has a total area of , of which is water and half forest... |
136 km | NW |
| Lappeenranta Lappeenranta Lappeenranta is a city and municipality that resides on the shore of the lake Saimaa in South-Eastern Finland, about from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately inhabitants Lappeenranta is the largest city in Finland... |
235 km | SW |
| Oulu Oulu Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the most populous city in Northern Finland and the sixth most populous city in the country. It is one of the northernmost larger cities in the world.... |
393 km | NW |
| Kajaani Kajaani Kajaani is a town and municipality in Finland.It is the capital of the Kainuu region. It is located southeast of Oulujärvi , which drains to the Gulf of Bothnia along the Oulujoki . There are inhabitants and city surface area is of which is water. The population density is . The town is... |
222 km | NW |
| Savonlinna Savonlinna Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "Newcastle".- History :... |
133 km | SW |
| Tampere Tampere Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in... |
393 km | SW |
| Turku Turku Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland... |
542 km | SW |
| Vaasa Vaasa Vaasa is a city on the west coast of Finland. It received its charter in 1606, during the reign of Charles IX of Sweden and is named after the Royal House of Vasa... |
492 km | W |
Joensuu has a railway station
Joensuu railway station
Joensuu railway station is located in Joensuu, North Karelia, Finland. The station was opened in 1894.The station is served by passenger trains to Helsinki , Nurmes and Pieksämäki...
, which offers intercity connections to Helsinki and local connections to several other places. Numbered bus service is available to all parts of Joensuu. It also has an airport
Joensuu Airport
Joensuu Airport is an airport in Liperi, Finland, about northwest of Joensuu city centre.-Airlines and destinations:-Statistics:-Weather station:...
, with flights to Helsinki.
Sports
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
club Kataja
Kataja Basket Club
Kataja Basket Club is the professional basketball club of sports club Kataja from Joensuu, Finland. The team plays in Korisliiga, the highest tier of Finnish basketball.-Achievements:* Korisliiga runner-up 2003 and 2006...
, which plays in the Finnish first-tier league Korisliiga
Korisliiga
Korisliiga is the top league of basketball in Finland, comprising the top 12 teams of the country. In current format each team plays all other teams twice in the regular season, both at home and away...
. Other championship level clubs of Joensuu include Josba (floorball
Floorball
Floorball, a type of floor hockey, is an indoor team sport which was developed in the 1970s in Sweden. Floorball is most popular in areas where the sport has developed the longest, such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The game is played...
), Mutalan Riento (volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
), Kalevan Rasti (orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
) and Joensuun Prihat (women's volleyball). The ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team Jokipojat
Jokipojat
Jokipojat is a Finnish semi-professional ice hockey team that plays in the Mestis. Full name of the club is Joensuun Kiekko ry. The club has spent three seasons in top flight of Finnish hockey, season 1971-72 in SM-sarja and seasons 1989-90 and 1991-92 in SM-liiga...
plays in the Finnish second-tier league Mestis
Mestis
Mestis, , is the second-highest ice hockey league in Finland.The league was established in 2000 to replace the first division. Since 2000, Mestis has been the highest hockey league in Finland that can be reached with playing merits only; the SM-liiga was closed in 2000...
, and their home arena is the Mehtimäki Ice Hall
Mehtimäki Ice Hall
Mehtimäki Ice Stadium is an indoor arena located in Joensuu, Finland. It is the home arena for Jokipojat of the Mestis and Joensuun Kataja's figure skaters....
. The local football club Jippo
JIPPO
JIPPO is a Finnish football club, based in Joensuu. It currently plays in the Ykkönen, the second highest level of Finnish football. Jarmo Korhonen replaced Mark Dziadulewicz as the club's manager after 2010 season...
plays in the Finnish First Division
Ykkönen
Ykkönen is the second highest level of the Finnish football league system , although it is the highest league managed by the Football Association of Finland.-Competition:...
. Finnish baseball enjoys popularity as well and the local team, Joensuun Maila, plays in the top division Superpesis
Superpesis
Superpesis is the top division of the Finnish native sport pesäpallo in Finland. Both men's and women's top division is called Superpesis. Comprising 11 teams in men's league and 10 teams in women's league, one team faces relegation to Ykköspesis at the end of the season...
.
Joensuu has produced many world class athletes, including Jukka Keskisalo
Jukka Keskisalo
Jukka Pekka Sakari Keskisalo is a Finnish athlete competing in 3000 m steeplechase and 1500 m. He won 3000 m steeplechase at the European Championships in Gothenburg, 2006.-Career:...
, the European champion in 2006 at 3000m St., and Aki Parviainen
Aki Parviainen
Aki Uolevi Parviainen is a Finnish Javelin thrower, who won the gold medal at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics and a silver medal at the 2001 World Championships. His best throw is 93.09 in 1999. His best Olympic placing is 5th in 2000...
, the world champion of Javelin throw
Javelin throw
The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
in 1999.
Friendship cities
LinköpingLinköping
Linköping is a city in southern middle Sweden, with 104 232 inhabitants in 2010. It is the seat of Linköping Municipality with 146 736 inhabitants and the capital of Östergötland County...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Ísafjarðarbær
Ísafjarðarbær
Ísafjarðarbær is amunicipality of Iceland in the Westfjords region, created in 1996 from Flateyrarhreppur, Ísafjarðarkaupstaður, Mosvallahreppur, Mýrahreppur, Suðureyrarhreppur and Þingeyrarhreppur.It has an area of 2,416 km² and a population of 3,824....
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
Tønsberg
Tønsberg
is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, southern Norway, located around north-east of Sandefjord. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tønsberg....
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Petrozavodsk
Petrozavodsk
Petrozavodsk is the capital city of the Republic of Karelia, Russia. It stretches along the western shore of the Lake Onega for some . The city is served by Petrozavodsk Airport. Municipally, it is incorporated as Petrozavodsky Urban Okrug . Population:...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
Sortavala
Sortavala
Sortavala is a town in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, located at the northern tip of Lake Ladoga. Population: It is an important station of the Vyborg-Joensuu railroad.-History:...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
Suoyarvi
Suoyarvi
Suoyarvi is a town and the administrative center of Suoyarvsky District of the Republic of Karelia, Russia, located northwest of Petrozavodsk. Population:...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
Hof, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...