The largestlake in the very water-based region isLake Päijänne (1,080 km2). Other large lakes areLake Keitele (490 km2),Lake Konnevesi (190 km2) andLake Kivijärvi (150 km2). The highest point in the region is Kiiskilänmäki in the municipality ofMultia, which reaches an altitude of 269 meters above sea level.[3]Kuokanjoki, Finland's shortest river and one of the world's shortest rivers is in the region.[4][5]
Central Finland has been one of the slowly growing regions in terms of population, but the growth has been based on theJyväskylä sub-region's position as a significant growth center, and most of the region's municipalities are declining in population.[6][7] Also, of these,Kyyjärvi has landed on the Finnish state'scrisis financial management list due to its economic hardship.[8][9]Luhanka, the smallest municipality in the wholeMainland Finland in terms of population, is also located in the region.[10][11]
Thewestern capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is the regional bird of Central Finland that is also depicted in the coat of arms.[12]
The idea of a province of Central Finland was born at the end of the 19th century. The concept was developed by the district doctorWolmar Schildt, whose article forSuometar first appeared in 1856. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the provincial identity of Central Finland was strengthened by associations, organisations and companies that expanded into the provinces. TheCentral Finland Province was established in 1960, but was abolished in thecounty reform of 1997.[2]
A province is a common administrative unit based on the autonomous decision-making power of municipalities and embodies local democracy at the regional level vis-à-vis the state, while a county is a regional administrative unit of the state. The Central Finland covers almost the same geographical area as the former Central Finland Province. At that time, the province of Central Finland was merged with the provinces ofTurku and Pori andVaasa and the northern parts ofTavastia to form theWestern Finland Province. The current Central Finland is larger than the former province of Central Finland, asJämsä was joined withKuorevesi and part ofLängelmäki, which previously belonged toPirkanmaa.[2]Kuhmoinen was also part of Central Finland until 2021, when it joined the region of Pirkanmaa.
