Kymenlaakso (literally Kymi Valley) (Swedish: Kymmenedalen) is a region in Finland. It borders to the regions Uusimaa, Päijänne Tavastia, Southern Savonia and South Karelia. Its name means literally The Valley of River Kymijoki. Kymijoki is one of the biggest rivers in Finland with a drainage basin with 11% of the area of Finland. The city of Kotka with 55,000 inhabitants is located at the delta of River Kymijoki and has the most important import harbour in Finland. Other cities are Kouvola further in the inland which has after a municipal merger 88,000 inhabitants and the old bastion town Hamina.

For history, geography and culture see: Uusimaa, Karelia and Tavastia

The region of Kymenlaakso is made up of seven municipalities, of which three have city status (marked in bold).

Kotka-Hamina Sub-region:

Kouvola Sub-region:

Results of the Finnish parliamentary election, 2011 in Kymenlaakso:

A general view of Kotka town centre

Kymijoki River

Hamina Town Hall

Österviken Bay in the Gulf of Finland, Pyhtää

Inkeroinen church in Kouvola

Haukkavuori Tower, Kotka

Mustila Arboretum in Kouvola, the biggest and oldest one in Finland

Ships in Kotka harbour

A view from the round streets of Hamina

Anjala church, Kouvola

Sunila Factory; Kymenlaakso has a strong tradition of pulp mills

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