South Savo
South Savo[1] (or Southern Savonia; Finnish: Etelä-Savo; Swedish: Södra Savolax) is a region in the south-east of Finland. It borders the regions of North Savo, North Karelia, South Karelia, Kymenlaakso, Päijät-Häme, and Central Finland. The total area of South Savo is 18,768.33 km2 (7,246.5 sq mi), with a population of 153,738 (2011). South Savo is located in the heart of the Finnish lake district, and contains Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland. The three major towns in the region are Mikkeli, Savonlinna and Pieksämäki.
South Savo 
     | |
|---|---|
| Region of South Savo Etelä-Savon maakunta Landskapet Södra Savolax  | |
![]() Flag ![]() Coat of arms  | |
![]() South Savo on a map of Finland  | |
| Coordinates: 62°0′N 27°30′E | |
| Country | Finland | 
| Historical province | Savonia | 
| Capital | Mikkeli | 
| Area | |
| • Total | 18,768.33 km2 (7,246.49 sq mi) | 
| Population  (2019)  | |
| • Total | 142,335 | 
| • Density | 7.6/km2 (20/sq mi) | 
| ISO 3166 code | FI-04 | 
| NUTS | 131 | 
| Regional bird | Golden oriole | 
| Regional fish | Vendace | 
| Regional flower | Water lily | 
| Website | esavo.fi | 
Cuisine
    
The best known local cuisine is fried vendace, often served with potato puree, and a semicircle-shaped pastry called lörtsy.[2][3]
Historical provinces
    
For history, geography and culture see: Savonia
Municipalities
    
South Savo includes 12 municipalities listed below (towns marked in bold).
 Enonkoski
- Population: 1,361
 
 Hirvensalmi
- Population: 2,132
 
 Juva
- Population: 5,892
 
 Kangasniemi
- Population: 5,230
 
 Mikkeli (S:t Michel)
- Population: 52,121
 
 Mäntyharju
- Population: 5,636
 
 Pertunmaa
- Population: 1,646
 
 Pieksämäki
- Population: 17,245
 
 Puumala
- Population: 2,119
 
 Rantasalmi
- Population: 3,329
 
 Savonlinna (Nyslott)
- Population: 32,551
 
 Sulkava
- Population: 2,431
 
Politics
    
Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in South Savo:
- Centre Party 23.47%
 - Social Democratic Party 21.41%
 - National Coalition Party 18.39%
 - Finns Party 16.55%
 - Green League 9.47%
 - Christian Democrats 4.46%
 - Left Alliance 2.95%
 - Movement Now 1.42%
 - Blue Reform 0.85%
 - Seven Star Movement 0.40%
 - Other parties 0.63%
 
Gallery
    

A general view of Mikkeli with the neogothic cathedral
The world's largest wooden church in Kerimäki
Oravi Canal, Savonlinna
Pertunmaa church
Marketplace in Mikkeli
Savonlinna Town Hall
Rock paintings in Ristiina
A view from Linnavuori, Sulkava
Juva church
Inwaters transport in Haukivesi
Rantasalmi church
A maize field in Rantasalmi
Punkaharju esker
A casino building in Savonlinna
An annual church boat competition in Sulkava
ABC Kuortti, Pertunmaa
Lake Sarkavesi, Mäntyharju: a typical Savonian landscape
Saimaansilta bridge, Puumala
Pieksämäki railway station
Mikkeli water tower
Visulahti theme park, Mikkeli
References
    
- Alueluokitusmuutokset 1.1.2019 www.stat.fi, accessed 19 October 2020
 - Finnish fast food – fried vendace (muikku) www.visitsaimaa.fi, accessed 19 October 2020
 - Lörtsy | Traditional Sweet Pastry From Southern Savonia, Finland www.tasteatlas.com, accessed 19 October 2020
 
External links
    
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Southern Savonia. | 
- South Savo Regional Council (official site).
 


