- Source: Oulainen
Oulainen (Swedish: Oulainen, also Oulais) is a town and a municipality of Finland. It is located in the Northern Ostrobothnia region, 101 kilometres (63 mi) south of the city of Oulu. The municipality has a population of 6,934
(31 October 2024) and covers an area of 597.53 square kilometres (230.71 sq mi) of
which 10.01 km2 (3.86 sq mi)
is water. The population density is
11.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (31/sq mi). Oulainen is founded in 1865, and it received township rights in 1977.
The municipality is unilingually Finnish. The municipality has previously also been known as "Oulais" in Swedish documents, but is today referred to as "Oulainen" also in Swedish.
Geography
Neighbouring municipalities are Alavieska, Haapavesi, Merijärvi, Pyhäjoki, Raahe and Ylivieska. In addition to the town center, the municipality includes the villages of Kilpua, Lehtopää, Matkaniva, Petäjäskoski, Piipsjärvi and Honkaranta.
Railway station
Oulainen railway station is located in the center of the town. The station has three platforms each with designated boarding areas, a ticket vending machine, car parking and a bicycle stand. It was opened in 1886.
History
Oulainen was first mentioned in 1572 as Oulahais and as a part of the Pyhäjoki parish. A farm named Oulahainen was established earlier. The name comes from a dialectal word oulu meaning "flooding waters" (see also Oulu) and seems to suggest a Tavastian origin. Alpo Räisänen suggests that the name could be of Savonian or Karelian origin.
Oulainen became a chapel community in 1682, a parish in 1870, a kauppala in 1967 and a town in 1977.
Events
Notable annual events include the National Veteran Machines Fair (Waltakunnalliset Weteraanikonepäivät) and Oulainen Music Weeks (Oulaisten Musiikkiviikot). Oulainen Music Weeks were organized for the twentieth time in 2006. The Oulainen Youth Choir (Oulaisten Nuorisokuoro) has received international acclaim.
Notable people
Eeli Erkkilä, Minister and Member of Parliament
Elsi Hetemäki-Olander, Member of Parliament
Katja Hänninen, Member of Parliament
Merja Kiviranta, triathlonist
Rosa-Maria Ryyti, model and Miss Finland 2015 beauty pageant titleholder
See also
Oulainen railway station
References
External links
Media related to Oulainen at Wikimedia Commons
Town of Oulainen – Official website (in Finnish)
Oulainen Music Weeks