# Savonlinna

> town in the region of Southern Savonia in Finland

**Wikidata**: [Q683512](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q683512)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savonlinna)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/savonlinna

## Summary
Savonlinna is a town and municipality located in the region of Southern Savonia (South Savo) in Finland. Founded in 1639, it serves as a significant administrative and historical center, covering a total area of 3,597.69 square kilometers as of 2023. The town had a population of 31,842 as of December 31, 2023.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Southern Savonia (South Savo), Finland. Coordinates: 61.868°N, 28.886°E.
- **Inception:** Founded in 1639.
- **Area (2023):** Total 3,597.69 km²; Land 2,237.87 km²; Water 1,359.82 km².
- **Population:** 31,842 (Dec 31, 2023).
- **Legal Status:** Municipality of Finland and City.
- **Official Language:** Finnish.
- **Timezone:** UTC+02:00 (Standard) / UTC+03:00 (Daylight Saving).
- **Municipality Code:** 740.
- **Administrative Body:** Savonlinna City Council.
- **Associated Sub-region:** Savonlinna sub-region; Southeast Finland electoral district.
- **Official Website:** https://www.savonlinna.fi/

## FAQs
**What is the geographical composition of Savonlinna?**
Savonlinna covers a total area of 3,597.69 square kilometers, of which roughly 62% (2,237.87 km²) is land and 38% (1,359.82 km²) is water, reflecting its location in the Finnish lake district.

**What administrative changes has Savonlinna undergone?**
The town has expanded through the consolidation of neighboring municipalities, merging with Sääminki, Savonranta on January 1, 2009, and both Kerimäki and Punkaharju on January 1, 2013.

**Who are the twin towns of Savonlinna?**
Savonlinna is twinned with Detmold (Germany), Arendal (Norway), Silkeborg Municipality (Denmark), Sveitarfélagið Árborg (Iceland), Budapest District I (Hungary), and Kalmar Municipality (Sweden; twinned since 1948).

**What is the demographic trend of Savonlinna?**
The population has fluctuated over recent decades, standing at 28,102 in 1999, peaking at 36,584 in 2012 following municipal mergers, and settling at 31,842 by the end of 2023.

## Why It Matters
Savonlinna represents a key urban center in the South Savo region, functioning as a distinct municipality and city within Finland's administrative framework. Its significance is rooted in its long history dating back to 1639 and its role as a regional hub that has absorbed several surrounding municipalities (Savonranta, Kerimäki, Punkaharju, Sääminki) to form its current structure. The town's extensive water coverage—nearly 1,360 square kilometers—highlights its geographic importance within Finland's lake network. It maintains an active international profile through its extensive twin town network and cultural institutions, such as the Riihisaari - Savonlinna Museum.

## Notable For
- **Extensive Water Area:** Nearly 38% of the town's total area consists of bodies of water.
- **Historic Foundation:** Established in 1639, making it one of the older towns in the region.
- **Municipal Consolidations:** Notable for merging with four distinct entities (Sääminki, Savonranta, Kerimäki, Punkaharju) between 2009 and 2013.
- **International Relations:** Maintains six active twin town relationships, including a partnership with Kalmar Municipality dating back to 1948.
- **Climate:** Classified as having a continental subarctic climate.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Savonlinna is situated in the region of Southern Savonia (South Savo) in Finland. Its precise coordinates are 61.868 degrees North and 28.886 degrees East. As of January 1, 2023, the total area of the municipality is 3,597.69 square kilometers. This territory is divided into 2,237.87 square kilometers of land and 1,359.82 square kilometers of water bodies.

The town shares borders with ten neighboring municipalities: Enonkoski, Heinävesi, Kitee, Liperi, Parikkala, Rantasalmi, Ruokolahti, Rääkkylä, Sulkava, and Varkaus. Historically, it was part of the Mikkeli Province (1831–1993) and the Savonlinna sub-region (1994–2013). Since January 1, 2014, it has been officially located in the region of South Savo.

### Demographics
The population of Savonlinna has seen significant shifts, largely due to municipal mergers.
- **1999–2011:** The population remained relatively stable in the high 20,000s (e.g., 28,102 in 1999; 27,585 in 2011).
- **2012–2013:** A sharp increase occurred, reaching 36,584 in 2012 and 36,256 in 2013, coinciding with the annexation of neighboring areas.
- **2014–2023:** The population has gradually declined, recorded at 36,190 in April 2014 and 31,842 by December 31, 2023.

### Governance and Administration
Savonlinna is classified legally as a "municipality of Finland" and a "city." Its legislative body is the Savonlinna City Council. The municipality is assigned the number 740 in the Finnish municipality numbering system and has a Finnish Business ID of 0166906-4. It is part of the Southeast Finland electoral district.

The town's administrative history includes the absorption of several municipalities:
- **Sääminki** (merged historically)
- **Savonranta** (merged January 1, 2009)
- **Kerimäki** (merged January 1, 2013)
- **Punkaharju** (merged January 1, 2013)

### Culture and Society
The official language of Savonlinna is Finnish. The town operates the Riihisaari - Savonlinna Museum. It maintains a robust network of sister cities (twin towns):
- **Kalmar Municipality** (Sweden) – since April 26, 1948
- **Detmold** (Germany)
- **Arendal** (Norway)
- **Silkeborg Municipality** (Denmark)
- **Sveitarfélagið Árborg** (Iceland)
- **Budapest District I** (Hungary)

The town observes Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00) during standard time and Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+03:00) during daylight saving time. The climate is classified as a continental subarctic climate.

### Identifiers and External Links
Savonlinna is tracked in numerous international and national databases:
- **Wikidata:** Q683512
- **Viaf ID:** 123140040, 240919388
- **ISNI:** 0000000405169614, 0000000492949239
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n79022137
- **GeoNames ID:** 637293
- **Official Website:** https://www.savonlinna.fi/ (Available in Finnish, English, Swedish, and German).

The municipality is also represented by various visual symbols, including a coat of arms (Savonlinna.vaakuna.svg) and a locator map (Savonlinna_sijainti_Suomi.svg).

## 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. [Savonlinnan ystävyyskaupungit](https://www.savonlinna.fi/savonlinna-tietoa/ystavyyskaupungit)
6. [Source](https://www.kalmar.se/kommun-och-politik/internationellt-arbete/vanorter.html)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. IdRef
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. MusicBrainz
12. [Source](http://vrk.fi/default.aspx?docid=8517&site=3&id=0)
13. Population structure
14. [Population growth biggest in nearly 70 years. Statistics Finland](https://stat.fi/en/publication/cln1i2dtgwknt0cut9yem67se)
15. Global LEI Index
16. BBC Things
17. Area of Finland's municipalities 2023-01-01
18. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
19. [Source](https://www.govdirectory.org/finland/)
20. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
21. [Kuntien ja seutukuntien vuoden 2024 välinen luokitusavain. Statistics Finland](https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/fi/luokitukset/corrmaps/kunta_1_20240101%23seutukunta_1_20240101/)
22. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
23. kuntalaisaloite.fi