# Mikkeli

> city in the region of Southern Savonia in Finland

**Wikidata**: [Q190583](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190583)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikkeli)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mikkeli

## Summary
Mikkeli is a city and municipality located in the region of South Savo (Southern Savonia) in Finland. Founded in 1838, it serves as the regional capital and is situated on the shores of Lake Saimaa. The city was named after the Archangel Michael and has expanded over time to include the former municipalities of Anttola, Haukivuori, Ristiina, Suomenniemi, and Mikkeli Rural Municipality.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** City and Municipality of Finland.
- **Location:** Southern Savonia (South Savo), Finland; Coordinates: 61.6875°N, 27.2736°E.
- **Inception:** Founded in 1838.
- **Population:** 51,919 (as of December 31, 2023).
- **Area:** 3,229.58 km² (Total, 2023); 2,548.35 km² (Land); 681.23 km² (Water).
- **Elevation:** 75 meters above sea level.
- **Demonym:** *mikkeliläinen*.
- **Official Language:** Finnish.
- **Postal Codes:** 50100–50970.
- **Local Dialing Code:** 015.
- **Time Zone:** UTC+02:00 (Standard), UTC+03:00 (Daylight Saving).
- **Government:** Legislative body is the Mikkeli City Council; current Head of Government (Mayor) is Janne Kinnunen (as of 2023).
- **Awards:** Received the Cross of Liberty, 4th Class, in 1944.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative history of Mikkeli?**
Mikkeli was founded in 1838 and historically served as the capital of the Mikkeli Province from 1831 to 1997 and the Province of Eastern Finland from 1997 to 2009. Since 2014, it has been recognized as the capital of the South Savo region.

**How has Mikkeli changed through municipal mergers?**
The city has consolidated with several neighboring municipalities over the years, including Anttola and the Mikkeli Rural Municipality in 2001, Haukivuori in 2007, and Ristiina and Suomenniemi in 2013.

**What are the geographic characteristics of the city?**
Mikkeli covers a total area of over 3,229 square kilometers, characterized by a significant amount of water bodies (681.23 km²), including parts of Saimaa, Puula, and Kyyvesi. The climate is classified as continental subarctic, and the terrain neighbors the municipalities of Hirvensalmi, Juva, Kangasniemi, Mäntyharju, Pieksämäki, Puumala, and Savitaipale.

**Which cities are twinned with Mikkeli?**
Mikkeli maintains sister city relationships with Vejle (Denmark), Békéscsaba (Hungary), Luga (Russia), Mõisaküla (Estonia), Molde (Norway), Borås (Sweden), Ostholstein (Germany), and Saint Petersburg (Russia).

## Why It Matters
Mikkeli plays a pivotal role as the administrative and political center of the South Savo region. Its historical significance is underscored by its long tenure as a provincial capital and its receipt of the Cross of Liberty in 1944, reflecting its importance during the mid-20th century. The city serves as a hub for the surrounding sub-region, providing governance, infrastructure (such as Mikkeli Airport), and cultural identity for a population that has grown through strategic municipal consolidations to exceed 50,000 residents. It is also a noted subject in major encyclopedic works, including the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia* and *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon*.

## Notable For
- Being named after the Archangel Michael.
- Holding the designation of "City" within the Finnish municipal structure.
- Owning and operating Mikkeli Airport.
- Receiving the Cross of Liberty, 4th Class, a rare distinction for a municipality.
- Its extensive library of international identifiers (including VIAF, ISNI, GND, and Library of Congress IDs), reflecting its global recognition.
- Hosting a cathedral (Mikkeli Cathedral) which serves as a landmark for the city.

## Body

### Geography and Environment
Mikkeli is situated in the Southern Savonia region of Finland, specifically within the Mikkeli sub-region. The city's geographical coordinates are 61.6875° N latitude and 27.2736° E longitude. As of January 1, 2023, the city encompasses a total area of 3,229.58 square kilometers. Of this area, 2,548.35 square kilometers consist of land, while 681.23 square kilometers are covered by bodies of water. The city is located on or near major water bodies including Saimaa, Puula, and Kyyvesi. The local climate is classified as a continental subarctic climate. Mikkeli shares borders with seven other municipalities: Hirvensalmi, Juva, Kangasniemi, Mäntyharju, Pieksämäki, Puumala, and Savitaipale.

### History and Governance
The earliest written record of the area dates back to 1323. Mikkeli was officially founded in 1838. The city is named after the Archangel Michael. Historically, Mikkeli served as the capital of the Mikkeli Province from 1831 until 1997, and subsequently as the capital of Eastern Finland from 1997 to 2009. Currently, it acts as the capital of the South Savo region.

The city's legal form is that of a municipality of Finland. Its legislative body is the Mikkeli City Council. The head of government has changed over recent years; Kimmo Mikander held the position starting in 2007 until March 2015. As of 2023, Janne Kinnunen serves as the head of government.

### Municipal Consolidations
Mikkeli has undergone significant territorial changes through mergers with neighboring municipalities:
- **2001:** Merged with Anttola and Mikkeli Rural Municipality.
- **2007:** Merged with Haukivuori.
- **2013:** Merged with Ristiina and Suomenniemi.

These mergers contributed to fluctuations in population figures, such as the jump from 32,826 residents in 1999 to 46,727 in 2000.

### Demographics
The population of Mikkeli has seen various shifts over the decades due to natural growth and municipal mergers. Key population milestones include:
- 32,826 (Dec 31, 1999)
- 46,727 (Dec 31, 2000)
- 54,665 (Dec 31, 2015)
- 51,919 (Dec 31, 2023)

The city's inhabitants are referred to by the demonym *mikkeliläinen*. The official language is Finnish.

### Infrastructure and Services
The city maintains a robust digital and physical infrastructure. It owns Mikkeli Airport and utilizes postal codes ranging from 50100 to 50970. The local dialing code is 015. The official website (mikkeli.fi) provides content in Finnish, Swedish, and English. The city maintains active profiles on social media platforms including Twitter (@MikkelinK), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

### International Relations
Mikkeli engages in international cooperation through several twin town relationships:
- **Vejle** (Denmark)
- **Békéscsaba** (Hungary)
- **Luga** (Russia)
- **Mõisaküla** (Estonia)
- **Molde** (Norway)
- **Borås** (Sweden)
- **Ostholstein** (Germany)
- **Saint Petersburg** (Russia - twinning agreement started in 1996)

### Identifiers and Classifications
Mikkeli is cataloged under numerous international and national identifier systems, highlighting its administrative and cultural presence. Key identifiers include:
- **Wikidata ID:** Q190583
- **Finnish Municipality Number:** 491
- **VIAF ID:** 157102848
- **ISNI:** 000000040620571X
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n80057071
- **GeoNames ID:** 646006

The city is also listed in historical and contemporary encyclopedias such as the *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary* and *Encyclopædia Britannica* (ID: place/Mikkeli-Finland). Its coat of arms is officially registered as the "coat of arms of Mikkeli."

## References

1. [Source](http://www.stat.fi/meta/luokitukset/kunta/001-2012/luokitusavain_ks.html)
2. The correspondence table between municipalities and language distribution in 2024
3. [Source](https://www.stat.fi/org/avoindata/paikkatietoaineistot/kuntapohjaiset_tilastointialueet.html)
4. [Kaupunkien ja kuntien lukumäärät ja väestötiedot. Association of Finnish Municipalities](https://www.kuntaliitto.fi/tilastot-ja-julkaisut/kaupunkien-ja-kuntien-lukumaarat)
5. [Source](https://issuu.com/mikkelinkaupunki/docs/se4978_mannerheim_fi_issuu)
6. [Mikkelin ystävyyskaupungit ja -kunnat](https://www.mikkeli.fi/sisalto/tietoja-mikkelista/ystavyyskaupungit)
7. [Source](https://kvs.gov.spb.ru/en/agreements/)
8. Open ISNI for Organizations
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Czech National Authority Database
12. MusicBrainz
13. Population structure
14. [Population growth biggest in nearly 70 years. Statistics Finland](https://stat.fi/en/publication/cln1i2dtgwknt0cut9yem67se)
15. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
16. Global LEI Index
17. GeoNames
18. BBC Things
19. Area of Finland's municipalities 2023-01-01
20. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
21. [Source](https://www.govdirectory.org/finland/)
22. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
23. [Kuntien ja seutukuntien vuoden 2024 välinen luokitusavain. Statistics Finland](https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/fi/luokitukset/corrmaps/kunta_1_20240101%23seutukunta_1_20240101/)
24. kuntalaisaloite.fi