Simo | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
| Simon kunta Simo kommun | |
 Simo railway station | |
 Coat of arms | |
 Location of Simo in Finland | |
OpenStreetMap  Interactive map outlining Simo. | |
| Coordinates:65°39.5′N025°04′E / 65.6583°N 25.067°E /65.6583; 25.067 | |
| Country |  Finland |
| Region | Lapland |
| Sub-region | Kemi–Tornio |
| Charter | 1608/1865 |
| Government | |
| • Municipal manager | Esko Tavia |
| Area (2018-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 2,086.29 km2 (805.52 sq mi) |
| • Land | 1,446.3 km2 (558.4 sq mi) |
| • Water | 639.89 km2 (247.06 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 45th largest in Finland |
| Population (2025-06-30)[2] | |
• Total | 2,753 |
| • Rank | 224th largest in Finland |
| • Density | 1.9/km2 (4.9/sq mi) |
| Population by native language | |
| • Finnish | 98.6% (official) |
| • Swedish | 0.4% |
| • Others | 1% |
| Population by age | |
| • 0 to 14 | 13.5% |
| • 15 to 64 | 51.7% |
| • 65 or older | 34.8% |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) |
| Website | www |
Simo is amunicipality located in the province ofLapland,Finland, about 50 kilometres (30 mi) from theSwedish border.
The municipality has a population of 2,753 (30 June 2025)[2] and covers an area of 2,086.29 square kilometres (805.52 sq mi) of which 639.89 km2 (247.06 sq mi) is water.[1] Thepopulation density is 1.9 inhabitants per square kilometre (4.9/sq mi). In 2001, Simo's debt per capita was 946.39Euros.
Simo's three largest neighbouring towns areOulu (216,066 inhabitants),Kemi (19,332 inhabitants) andTornio (20,932 inhabitants). Some of the bigger neighbouring municipalities areKeminmaa (7,591 inhabitants) andIi (9,800 inhabitants).[2]
The oldest residential areas of Simo are theSimonkylä andMaksniemi regions.[6] The oldest records of human habitation within Simo is found in the village of Simonkylä, which was occupied during the 1300s. In the 1500s the population of Simo began to grow as a result of migration, the population increased especially in the villages of Simonkylä and Simoniemi. Simo was known for its large farms and fishermen.
In the 1800s the population gradually began to expand along the beaches of theSimojoki river. In the year of 1865, a large municipal reform occurred in which the municipality, named Simo, received its actual borders, even though the area had long been referred to asSimo and the residents assimolaiset.
During theLapland War, the village of Maksniemi suffered serious damage. Bridges along the Simojoki river were blown up by the German forces, which is why for quite some time after the war Simojoki had to be crossed by ferry. The destruction of the connection that the bridges provided was important as it cut off the municipality of Simo fromFinnish Highway Four.
Simo is situated by theBothnian Bay, at the mouth of river Simojoki. In Simo there is a rural landscape and also in the planning of the centre an attempt has been made to emphasise the nature vicinity. Simo consists of many small and vital village communities. Simo's sights include Simo's Church which was completed in 1846 during the lateEmpire time and light infantryman place with its statues which will be a memory from the war of independence when the route goes through Simo's wildernesses.
Islands within Simo are inclusive of:
The villages of Simo are inclusive of:
In Simo there is no industry. In 2007–2011,Fennovoima considered to build a 1,500 to 2,500 megawatt nuclear power plant[7] in Karsikko and Laitakari.[8] However, Fennovoima announced in October 2011 that the power plant would be built atPyhäjoki.[9]
Simo has three elementary schools, one secondary school and a high school. The nearestuniversity is inOulu.
Media related toSimo at Wikimedia Commons
Places adjacent to Simo, Finland | |
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