Kanta-Häme
Kanta-Häme (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈkɑn̪t̪ɑˌhæme̞(ʔ)]; Swedish: Egentliga Tavastland), sometimes referred to by the obsolete Tavastia Proper[1] or as the Häme region,[2] is a region (maakunta / landskap) of Finland. It borders the regions of Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, and Uusimaa.
Kanta-Häme
Egentliga Tavastland Tavastia Proper | |
|---|---|
| Region of Kanta-Häme Kanta-Hämeen maakunta (Finnish) Landskapet Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish) | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Kanta-Häme on a map of Finland | |
| Coordinates: 60°50′N 24°15′E | |
| Country | Finland |
| Historical province | Tavastia |
| Capital | Hämeenlinna |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5,706.39 km2 (2,203.25 sq mi) |
| Population (2019) | |
| • Total | 170,925 |
| • Density | 30/km2 (78/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | FI-06 |
| NUTS | 184 |
| Regional animal | Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) |
| Regional bird | Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) |
| Regional fish | Carp bream (Abramis brama) |
| Regional flower | Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens) |
| Regional stone | Graphic feldspar |
| Regional lake | Lake Vanajavesi |
| Website | hameenliitto.fi |
Hämeenlinna is the largest urban area in the region. There are two other municipalities that have township status: Riihimäki and Forssa.
Historical provinces
The region of Kanta-Häme has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The first written mention of the historical Tavastia province is found in the Chronicle Of Novgorod, in reference to a military campaign launched by Prince Vladimir in 1042. The region had been ruled by the Swedes since the late 13th century, when Birger Jarl led the Second Crusade against the inhabitants of historical Tavastia province. In the 14th century, Häme became a fiefdom, whose administrative seat was Häme Castle. When Finland was taken from Sweden by the Russians in 1809, Tavastia proper also became part of the Russian Empire. Russian rule ended in 1917.[2]
For more history, geography and culture see: Tavastia (historical province)
Municipalities
The region of Kanta-Häme is made up of 11 municipalities, of which three have city status (marked in bold).
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Forssa sub-region: |
Hämeenlinna sub-region:
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Riihimäki sub-region:
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Heraldry
Kanta-Häme uses the arms of the old historical province Tavastia.
Culture
Kanta-Häme region is well known for the preserved tradition of brewing sahti.
Politics
Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in Kanta-Häme:
- Social Democratic Party 24.82%
- Finns Party 19.72%
- National Coalition Party 18.95%
- Centre Party 10.41%
- Left Alliance 8.81%
- Green League 7.99%
- Christian Democrats 5.22%
- Movement Now 1.58%
- Seven Star Movement 0.61%
- Blue Reform 0.42%
- Swedish People's Party 0.19%
- Other parties 1.28%
References
- "Luokitus: Maakunnat 2021 | Tilastokeskus".
- "What is Häme?". Visit Häme.
