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Kymenlaakso (Finnish:[ˈkymenˌlɑːkso];Swedish:Kymmenedalen;lit. "Kymi/Kymmene Valley") is aregion inFinland. It borders the regions ofUusimaa,Päijät-Häme,South Savo andSouth Karelia andRussia (Leningrad Oblast). Its name means literallyThe Valley of RiverKymi. Kymijoki is one of the biggest rivers in Finland with adrainage basin with 11% of the area of Finland. The city ofKotka with 51,000 inhabitants is located at the delta of River Kymi and has the most important import harbour in Finland. Other cities areKouvola further in the inland which has after a municipal merger 81,000 inhabitants and the old bastion townHamina.
Kymenlaakso was one of the firstindustrialized regions of Finland. It became the most important region forpaper and pulp industry in Finland. Since the late 1900s many plants have closed, which has caused somedeindustrialization, unemployment andpopulation decline in Kymenlaakso, especially in those communities that were built around plants in Kouvola.
Kymenlaakso, cradled by the windingKymi River, boasts a history as dynamic as its waterways. Unlike Finland's traditional provinces, Kymenlaakso emerged as a distinct region much later, a testament to its ever-evolving character. The earliest whispers of human presence in Kymenlaakso echo back to theStone Age. These settlements laid the foundation for later inhabitants like theTavastians andKarelians, who etched their own stories onto the land.
For centuries, Kymenlaakso found itself underSwedish rule. Its strategic location transformed it into a vital trade corridor between Sweden andRussia. This era also witnessed the birth of its industrial prowess, with the 18th century ushering in aniron andsteel boom.Sawmills andpaper mills sprouted like mushrooms along the riverbanks, laying the groundwork for Kymenlaakso's future industrial dominance.
The 19th century brought a shift in political winds as Kymenlaakso became part of theGrand Duchy of Finland inpersonal union with the Russian Empire. However, the region's industrial spirit remained unfazed. In fact, this period saw further consolidation of its industrial base. The early 20th century witnessed another significant development – the rise of a powerful labor movement, a reflection of the growing importance of the working class in Kymenlaakso's industrial landscape.
FollowingWorld War II, Kymenlaakso embraced its place in independent Finland. While industry remained the cornerstone of its economy,forestry andtourism began carving out niches for themselves. However, recent years haven't been without challenges. The decline of the forest industry has cast a shadow over the region. Undeterred, Kymenlaakso is actively pursuing economic diversification, attracting new businesses and exploring new avenues for growth.
