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Hämeenlinna, Finland

Hämeenlinna
Tavastehus
City
Hämeenlinnan kaupunki
View of Lake Vanajavesi, next to Hämeenlinna. The castle is visible to the right.
View of Lake Vanajavesi, next to Hämeenlinna. The castle is visible to the right.
Coat of arms of Hämeenlinna
Coat of arms
Location of Hämeenlinna in Finland
Location of Hämeenlinna in Finland
Coordinates: 60°59′40″N 24°28′00″E / 60.99444°N 24.46667°E / 60.99444; 24.46667Coordinates: 60°59′40″N 24°28′00″E / 60.99444°N 24.46667°E / 60.99444; 24.46667
Country  Finland
Region Kanta-Häme.vaakuna.svg Tavastia Proper
Sub-region Hämeenlinna sub-region
Charter 1639
Government
 • City manager Timo Kenakkala
Area (2016-01-01)
 • Total 1,785.03 km2 (689.20 sq mi)
 • Land 1,785.76 km2 (689.49 sq mi)
 • Water 245.79 km2 (94.90 sq mi)
Area rank 34th largest in Finland
Population (2016-03-31)
 • Total 67,914
 • Rank 14th largest in Finland
 • Density 38.03/km2 (98.5/sq mi)
Population by native language
 • Finnish 97.5% (official)
 • Swedish 0.3%
 • Others 2.2%
Population by age
 • 0 to 14 15.8%
 • 15 to 64 64.7%
 • 65 or older 19.5%
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Municipal tax rate 19%
Website www.hameenlinna.fi

Hämeenlinna (Swedish: Tavastehus) is a city and municipality of about 68,000 inhabitants in the heart of the historical province of Häme in the south of Finland. Hämeenlinna is the oldest inland city of Finland and was one of the most important Finnish cities until the 19th century. It still remains an important regional center.

Hämeenlinna is the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius. Today, it belongs to the region of Tavastia Proper, and until 2010 it was the residence city for the Governor of the province of Southern Finland. Nearby cities include the capital Helsinki (98 km or 61 mi), Tampere (73 km or 45 mi) and Lahti (72 km or 45 mi).

The medieval Häme Castle (Hämeen linna) is located in the city.

The municipalities of Hauho, Kalvola, Lammi, Renko and Tuulos were consolidated with Hämeenlinna on 1 January 2009.

There was a settlement called Vanaja by the lake Vanajavesi where the city now stands since the Viking Age. The castle was built in the late 13th century to secure Swedish power in central Finland. A village was established near Häme Castle to provide services and goods to its inhabitants.


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