What is "kainuu"

Kainuu is one of the 19 Regions of Finland (maakunta / landskap) . There are 18 regions in mainland Finland, and the autonomous Åland Islands. Kainuu borders the regions of Northern Ostrobothnia, North Karelia and Northern Savonia. In the east it also borders Russia.

Boreal forest makes up most of the biome in Kainuu. The forest in Kainuu mostly consists of birches, pines and spruces. The atypical regional geography and landscape consist of lakes, hills and vast uninhabited forest areas.

The largest lake in the region is the Oulujärvi (928.09 km²), one of the largest lakes in Finland. Its shorelines, open waters and islands in Kainuu belong to the municipalities of Vaala, Paltamo and Kajaani.

The highest point in Kainuu is the Iso Tuomivaara (385 m), located in the municipality of Hyrynsalmi. The regional climate is continental.

Culturally Kainuu is part of larger Eastern-Finnish cultural heritage. The dialect of Kainuu is based on Savonian and Karelian dialects.