Ostrobothnia is one of two Finnish regions with aSwedish-speaking majority (the other being theconstitutionally monolingual province of Åland); Swedish-speakers make up 51.2% of the total population.[2] The region contains thirteen bilingualmunicipalities and one that is exclusively Finnish-speaking. The capital ofVaasa is predominantly inhabited by Finnish speakers, whereas smaller towns and rural areas are generally dominated by the Swedish language. The three municipalities with the largest number of Swedish speakers areKorsholm,Jakobstad andPedersöre.
Geographically, Ostrobothnia has little topographical relief, because it is mostly former seafloor brought to surface bypost-glacial rebound and the accumulation ofalluvial sediment. Ostrobothnia has both vast expanses of cultivated fields (lakeus) as in South Ostrobothnia, and thearchipelago ofKvarken (Finnish:Merenkurkku). Glacial transport has deposited large quantities ofrocks in the area.[3] Like elsewhere in Ostrobothnia, rivers are a prominent part of the landscape. The major rivers that discharge into the Gulf of Bothnia in Ostrobothnia areKyrönjoki,Lapuanjoki andÄhtävänjoki.
Kaskinen (Swedish:Kaskö), a coastal town located in the southern part of the region, is the smallest town in Finland in terms of both area and population.[4]
Prior to the officialization of the names of the Finnish regions, Ostrobothnia was also known asVasa kustregionen in Swedish andVaasan rannikkoseutu in Finnish, both of which translate into "[the] coastal region of Vaasa". TheInstitute for the Languages of Finland recommended that the region be namedKustösterbotten in Swedish andRannikko-Pohjanmaa in Finnish, meaning "coastal Ostrobothnia" in English. However, upon the confirmation of the names of the Finnish regions on 26 February 1998, the current name of the region was officialized instead, according to the wishes of the regional government. The central government cited the Swedish language's prevalence in the region, as well as the lack of a common consensus on an alternative name the reasons for its decision.[5] In local circles or communities, Ostrobothnia is often referred to as "Pampas". The word derives from the similarities in the flat landscape with thePampas area inSouth America.[6]
The regional tree is theblack alder (Alnus glutinosa), the regional mammal is thecommon elk (Alces alces), the regional stone isVaasa granite and the regional song is "The march of Vaasa" (Swedish:Vasamarschen,Finnish:Vaasan marssi).
Blazon: Gules, a sheaf Or; on chief countercharged four ermines 2+2 courant.
Thegolden wheatsheaf on a red field is the emblem of theHouse of Vasa, the dynasty that ruled Sweden (and by extension, Finland) during the 16th and 17th centuries. Theermines are the symbol of thehistorical province of Ostrobothnia. They reflect the region's historical significance inpelt trade. Their number represents the historical division of the region into foursub-regions.
The colors gold and red are among Finland's oldest heraldic tinctures and remain particularly associated with theSwedish-speaking population.[7]
Ostrobothnia is located in the borderlands between thehumid continental andsubarctic climates (KöppenDfb/Dfc). Its winters are moderated by prevailing westerly winds from the mildNorth Atlantic Current travelling acrossNorway,Sweden and theBay of Bothnia. Although the sea tends to easily freeze over in winter during prolonged spells of cold weather due to the low salinity, winters seldom get severely cold.
In general during latter decades, the southernBothnia Bay coastlines of centralNorrland in Sweden across the strait and Ostrobothnia mostly range from slightly above 20 °C (68 °F) average highs in summer to about −3 °C (27 °F) highs and −10 °C (14 °F) lows in winter. Due to the vastness of the region from north to south, this will vary by a bit from one place to another depending on latitude.
Precipitation is quite variable but is enough to build up a reliable snowpack all through the region during winter months. In summer, Ostrobothnia experiences perpetualcivil twilight due to its high latitude with the sun angle never falling below -3° at summer solstice inVaasa and -2° inJakobstad.[9][10] During that time of the year, daylight remains bright enough to permit daytime outdoor activities without artificial lighting especially under clear skies. As a result, days are short during winter although all areas of Ostrobothnia are far south of the Arctic Circle.
