Oulu is a city and municipality of about 130,000 inhabitants in the province of Oulu and the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the largest and most important city in Northern Finland. It is situated on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of the Oulujoki River. A major fire destroyed much of the city in 1822.



It has a long history as the trade centre of Northern Finland and is known for tar and salmon.

The city is located quite North, just 200 km from Artic Circle, so it is a miracle that there is a beach like Nallikari. The currency unit in Finland is euro.

There are many writers artists and musicians resident in the city.

Even in the winter the people bike to bars, despite of the weather. Even in the darkest winter you will see bike lines, hundreds of bikes, outside night clubs in downtown and the bars. The bravest ones are from university campus. The city has a variety of bars and clubs for different tastes and ages. Most clubs close at four in the morning. Alcohol is very expensive in Finland due to the high taxes.

The pedestrian street Rotuaari in the centre of the city is full of summer events. As well as people from other places,all visit the open market at the harbour. Rotuaari is part of Kirkkokatu, designated only for pedestrians. Oulun Kauppahalli on the market square is a traditional Finnish collection of small shops selling special foods, souvenirs and other interesting items.

Pikisaari Island just off the city centre was once a busy industrial area it used to have a an enamel factory, a wool factory, an iron foundry and a sawmill. Nowadays Pikisaari is known for arts and crafts dozens of craftspeople and artists live and work on the island.

Oulu, is the city of the Nokia mobile phones and Polar heart rate monitors. The city is loaded with special mobile phone shops, and phones are also sold in home appliance and department stores.

The Neo-Classic Cathedral was built in 1777 and it was named after King Gustavus IIIs spouse Sofia Magdalena. The big fire of 1882 destroyed several parts of the former wooden Cathedral. It was rebuilt to its former shape but instead of wood stone was used. The Oulu Cathedral is an Evangelical Lutheran cathedral and the seat of the Diocese of Oulu, and is located in the centre of Oulu, Finland.