Posio | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
| Posion kunta | |
 Ice wall at Korouoma | |
 Coat of arms | |
 Location of Posio in Finland | |
OpenStreetMap Interactive map outlining Posio. | |
Interactive map of Posio | |
| Coordinates: 66°06.5′N 028°10′E / 66.1083°N 28.167°E / 66.1083; 28.167 | |
| Country |  Finland |
| Region | Lapland |
| Sub-region | Eastern Lapland |
| Charter | 1926 |
| Seat | Ahola |
| Government | |
| • Municipal manager | Heli Knutars |
| Area (2018-01-01)1 | |
• Total | 3,544.90 km2 (1,368.69 sq mi) |
| • Land | 3,039.68 km2 (1,173.63 sq mi) |
| • Water | 506.14 km2 (195.42 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 16th largest in Finland |
| Population (2025-12-31)2 | |
• Total | 2,826 |
| • Rank | 219th largest in Finland |
| • Density | 0.93/km2 (2.4/sq mi) |
| Population by native language | |
| • Finnish | 97.5% (official) |
| • Others | 2.5% |
| Population by age | |
| • 0 to 14 | 8.3% |
| • 15 to 64 | 50.5% |
| • 65 or older | 41.2% |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 97900 |
| Website | www |
Posio is a municipality of Finland. It is located in the region of Lapland. The municipality has a population of 2,826 (31 December 2025)2 and covers an area of 3,544.90 square kilometres (1,368.69 sq mi) of which 506.14 km2 (195.42 sq mi) is water.1 The population density is 0.93 inhabitants per square kilometre (2.4/sq mi). Neighbour municipalities are Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi, Ranua, Salla, Kuusamo, Taivalkoski and Pudasjärvi.
The municipality is Finnish-speaking.
History
The Senate decided to establish a parish at Posio in 1908, but the plan was delayed, in part for want of a church. Posio was finally constituted as a separate parish and municipality at the turn of 1925 and 1926, formed mainly from parts of Kuusamo, with smaller areas taken from Taivalkoski, Pudasjärvi and the rural parish of Rovaniemi. A leading figure in the campaign for the municipality's independence was the farmer Juho Aapo Miekkasaari (1862–1942).5
Geography
Posio lies in southern Lapland, between Kuusamo and Rovaniemi. Lakes make up a large part of its area, among them Kitkajärvi, Livojärvi and Suolijärvi. Riisitunturi National Park, known for the hanging bogs on its fells, and the Korouoma canyon and nature reserve lie within the municipality, which also takes in part of Syöte National Park.5 The European route E63 crosses the north-eastern part of the municipality. About 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north of the village centre is a micronation called Valtio, founded by Ari "Paska" Peltonen in 2006.6
Economy
The largest employers are the municipality itself, the ceramics manufacturer Pentik and agriculture, especially dairy farming. Tourism is also important to the local economy. Posio was the first municipality in Finland to be awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label, and it belongs to the HINKU network of municipalities committed to carbon neutrality.5
Sights and events
Posio's most renowned attractions are the Pentik-mäki Culture Centre, Riisitunturi National Park, Korouoma Nature Reserve, and the clear waters of lakes Kitkajärvi and Livojärvi.7 There are also many outdoor recreational activities in the area.
The world's northernmost ceramics factory is located in Posio. Pentik Oy interior design company was established in 1971 by Anu and Topi Pentikäinen.8
Regular events in Posio are the Posio Fair, the amateur theatre event Teatterihelinät, and the Traditional Fish Fair Market (Muikkumarkkinat) in July.7
Notable people
- Kaarlo Maaninka (born 1953), Finnish long distance runner
- Soile Isokoski (born 1957), Finnish lyric soprano
- Sini Karjalainen (born 1999), Finnish hockey player
References
References
- "Area of Finnish Municipalities 1.1.2018" (PDF). National Land Survey of Finland. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- "Population growth slowed down in 2025". Population structure. Statistics Finland. 1 April 2026. ISSN 2243-3627. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- "Population according to age (1-year) and sex by area and the regional division of each statistical reference year, 2003–2020". StatFin. Statistics Finland. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- "Luettelo kuntien ja seurakuntien tuloveroprosenteista vuonna 2023". Tax Administration of Finland. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- "General information about Posio". Municipality of Posio. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
- ""Nää on mun maita!"". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish).
- "Posio – find your rhythm". House of Lapland. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
- "Our story". Pentik. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
External links
External links
- Media related to Posio at Wikimedia Commons
- Posio travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Municipality of Posio – Official website (in Finnish and English)
- Posio Tourism – Official website