Kuusankoski
Encyclopedia
Kuusankoski is a former industrial town and municipality of Finland
, located in the region of Kymenlaakso
in the province of Southern Finland
. The population of Kuusankoski was 20,392 (2003) and the total area was 129.5 km² of which 114 km² was land and 14.56 km² water. It is located some 130 kilometre northeast of the Finnish capital Helsinki
. Kuusankoski is primarily known for paper manufacturing and three large factory complexes. It is sometimes nicknamed the "Paper capital of Finland".
Kuusankoski (as a municipality, not the settlement), was founded in 1921 from the parts of neighbouring Iitti
and Valkeala
. It gained the status of kauppala (literally "a place of commerce") in 1957 and became a town in 1973.
The history of Kuusankoski during the last one and a half centuries has been closely linked to the establishment of the paper factories and their development. The establishment of the factories dates back to the 1870s and 1890s, when the rapids of the river Kymijoki were made to deliver electricity to a waking industry. Since then, and until the modern age of automation
, the factories have offered jobs to many generations of Kuusankoski citizens, making the area somewhat more prosperous than the neighbouring regions. Today, the influence of the factories on everyday life has somewhat lessened, but their historical importance remains well known.
Kuusankoski is said to be the most social democratic town in Finland. The Social Democratic Party of Finland
has gained more than 50–60% support in various elections. In terms of income per citizen, Kuusankoski is among the 20 richest municipalities of Finland.
The cityscape of Kuusankoski consists mostly of element-based blocks of flats built during the 1960s. However, there are some exceptions, such as a school and a church built at the beginning of the last century. Another kind of architecture
is represented by the culture building Kuusankoskitalo, a typical creation of modern Finnish architecture, and a library built in a functionalistic
style. The cityscape is also characterised by the beautiful river Kymijoki which curves through the town.
Footballer Sami Hyypiä
is from Kuusankoski.
Another famous person living in this town is ex-Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen
As of 2009, the six municipalities – Kouvola
, Kuusankoski, Elimäki
, Anjalankoski
, Valkeala
and Jaala
– were consolidated, accounting for the new municipality of Kouvola with a population of over 80,000, being the 10th largest city in Finland.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, located in the region of Kymenlaakso
Kymenlaakso
Kymenlaakso is a region in Finland. It borders to the regions Uusimaa, Päijänne Tavastia, Southern Savonia, and South Karelia.- Historical provinces :For history, geography and culture see: Uusimaa , Karelia- Municipalities :...
in the province of Southern Finland
Southern Finland
Southern Finland was a province of Finland from 1997 to 2010. It bordered the provinces of Western Finland and Eastern Finland. It also bordered the Gulf of Finland and Russia.- History :...
. The population of Kuusankoski was 20,392 (2003) and the total area was 129.5 km² of which 114 km² was land and 14.56 km² water. It is located some 130 kilometre northeast of the Finnish capital Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
. Kuusankoski is primarily known for paper manufacturing and three large factory complexes. It is sometimes nicknamed the "Paper capital of Finland".
Kuusankoski (as a municipality, not the settlement), was founded in 1921 from the parts of neighbouring Iitti
Iitti
Iitti is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Kymenlaakso region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
and Valkeala
Valkeala
Valkeala is a former municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland, near the city of Kouvola, and it was a part of the Kymenlaakso region. The municipality had a population of 11,238 and covered an area of 1,004.40 km² of which 143.47 km² was water...
. It gained the status of kauppala (literally "a place of commerce") in 1957 and became a town in 1973.
The history of Kuusankoski during the last one and a half centuries has been closely linked to the establishment of the paper factories and their development. The establishment of the factories dates back to the 1870s and 1890s, when the rapids of the river Kymijoki were made to deliver electricity to a waking industry. Since then, and until the modern age of automation
Automation
Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...
, the factories have offered jobs to many generations of Kuusankoski citizens, making the area somewhat more prosperous than the neighbouring regions. Today, the influence of the factories on everyday life has somewhat lessened, but their historical importance remains well known.
Kuusankoski is said to be the most social democratic town in Finland. The Social Democratic Party of Finland
Social Democratic Party of Finland
The Social Democratic Party of Finland is one of the three major political parties in Finland, along with the Centre Party and the National Coalition Party. Jutta Urpilainen is the current SDP leader. The party has been in the Finnish government cabinet for long periods and has set many...
has gained more than 50–60% support in various elections. In terms of income per citizen, Kuusankoski is among the 20 richest municipalities of Finland.
The cityscape of Kuusankoski consists mostly of element-based blocks of flats built during the 1960s. However, there are some exceptions, such as a school and a church built at the beginning of the last century. Another kind of architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
is represented by the culture building Kuusankoskitalo, a typical creation of modern Finnish architecture, and a library built in a functionalistic
Functionalism (architecture)
Functionalism, in architecture, is the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building. This statement is less self-evident than it first appears, and is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern...
style. The cityscape is also characterised by the beautiful river Kymijoki which curves through the town.
Footballer Sami Hyypiä
Sami Hyypiä
Sami Tuomas Hyypiä is a retired European Cup winning Finnish footballer who played in the centre back position. He last played for German Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen and was the captain of the Finland national football team. He joined Leverkusen in summer 2009, ending a ten year spell at...
is from Kuusankoski.
Another famous person living in this town is ex-Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen
Tarja Turunen
Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen Cabuli is a Finnish singer-songwriter and composer. She is a full lyric soprano and has a vocal range of three octaves....
As of 2009, the six municipalities – Kouvola
Kouvola
Kouvola is a town and municipality in southeastern Finland. It is located northeast of the capital, Helsinki.The city has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is ....
, Kuusankoski, Elimäki
Elimäki
Elimäki is a former municipality of Finland.It was located in the province of Southern Finland and was part of the Kymenlaakso region. The municipality had a population of 8,199 and covered an area of 391.74 km² of which 4.27 km² was water...
, Anjalankoski
Anjalankoski
Anjalankoski is a former town and municipality of Finland. It had 17,301 inhabitants . About 4/5 of the people live in the vicinity of the Kymi River. The most densely populated communities are Myllykoski and Inkeroinen. In addition, there is plenty of countryside.The town's major industry is...
, Valkeala
Valkeala
Valkeala is a former municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland, near the city of Kouvola, and it was a part of the Kymenlaakso region. The municipality had a population of 11,238 and covered an area of 1,004.40 km² of which 143.47 km² was water...
and Jaala
Jaala
Jaala is a former municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Kymenlaakso region. The municipality had a population of 1,906 and covered an area of 563.06 km² of which 129.89 km² was water...
– were consolidated, accounting for the new municipality of Kouvola with a population of over 80,000, being the 10th largest city in Finland.