Oulu, Finland

Oulu, Finland
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oulu_Skyline_20090201.JPG
Author: Estormiz
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Oulu is the biggest city in Northern Finland and the sixth largest in the country. Located in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, Oulu covers 1,513.37 sq km (584.3 sq mi) and has a population of 142,000 (2011 estimate). It is one of the northernmost large cities in the world.

Oulu was founded by King Charles IX of Sweden on 8 April, 1605, across from the fort on the island of Linnansaari. The settlement was at the mouth of the river Oulujoki, on the coast facing the Gulf of Bothnia. The name means "flood" or "flood water" in both the Finnish and local Sami languages.

Hallituskatu Street, Oulu
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hallituskatu_Oulu_2006_06_12.JPG
Author: Estormiz
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As with many of the cities in Finland, Oulu suffered a fire that destroyed much of it. The blaze too place in 1822. The rebuilding of Oulu was hemmed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel, who designed most of the public buildings in the Neo-Classical style. Among the building he designed for Oulu was its cathedral, completed in 1832, to replace the earlier one destroyed by the fire.

Due to its latitude, Oulu experiences a subarctic climate. The warmest weather is in July, when the average high temperature reaches 20.4°C (68.7°F). Coldest month is January, when the average low temperature recedes to a bitter -15.4°C (4.3°F).

Ylikiiminki Church, Oulu
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ylikiiminki_Church,_Finland.jpg
Author: TeVe
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Visiting Oulu

Oulu Airport (OUL) is the second busiest airport in Finland after Helsinki's. Located 10.6 km (6.6 mi) to the southwest of Oulu, the airport gets flights from Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Tromsø and Turku. The Helsinki-Oulu route is the busiest in the country.

Arriving at the airport, you can take public Bus 19 to the city center. There's one every 30 minutes. The fare is €5. In comparison, a taxi for the same journey will cost €30.

Holy Family Nazareth Church, Oulu
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_Family_Nazareth_Church_Oulu_2006_02_12.JPG
Author: Estormiz
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Sights & Attractions in Oulu

Mannerheim Park
Public park with benches, barbecue pit and children's playground.
Northern Ostrobothnia Museum
Regional museum of cultural history with emphasis on the city of Oulu and the surrounding province of Northern Ostrobothnia.
Oulu Castle
This is a public park. There is nothing of the castle to be seen, as it was destroyed by gunpowder explosion in the 18th century. A café now operates on the foundation site of the castle.
Oulu Cathedral
The biggest church in Oulu completed in 1832.
Tietomaa
An interactive science center for visitors of all ages (and particularly the young ones). Touted as Finland's first science center, it has some 150 exhibits. The highlight of Tietomaa is its super-screen theater and glass elevator, which offers panoramic views of Oulu.

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