South Savo

South Savo Etelä-Savo (Finnish) Södra Savolax (Swedish)
Region
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

South Savo (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.

Historical provinces

For history, geography and culture see: Savonia

Municipalities

Main article: Municipalities of South Savo

South Savo includes 12 municipalities listed below (towns marked in bold).

• Enonkoski
  • Population: 1,320
• Hirvensalmi
  • Population: 2,062
• Juva
  • Population: 5,734
• Kangasniemi
  • Population: 5,114
• Mikkeli (S:t Michel)
  • Population: 51,919
• Mäntyharju
  • Population: 5,522
• Pertunmaa
  • Population: 1,577
• Pieksämäki
  • Population: 17,050
• Puumala
  • Population: 2,108
• Rantasalmi
  • Population: 3,297
• Savonlinna (Nyslott)
  • Population: 31,843
• Sulkava
  • Population: 2,368

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%

Cuisine

The best known local cuisine is fried vendace, often served with potato puree, and a semicircle-shaped pastry called lörtsy.

External links

• South Savo Regional Council (official site).