Alahärmä | |
Official Name: | Finnish: Alahärmän kunta Swedish: Alahärmä kommun |
Settlement Type: | Former municipality |
Mapsize: | 150px |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Finland |
Subdivision Type1: | Region |
Subdivision Name1: | Southern Ostrobothnia |
Subdivision Type2: | Sub-region |
Subdivision Name2: | Härmänmaa sub-region |
Established Title: | Founded |
Established Date: | 1867 |
Extinct Title: | Consolidated |
Extinct Date: | 2009 |
Area Total Km2: | 353.65 |
Area Land Km2: | 351.32 |
Area Water Km2: | 2.33 |
Population As Of: | 2008-12-31 |
Population Footnotes: | [1] |
Population Total: | 4661 |
Population Density Km2: | auto |
Demographics Type2: | Population by age |
Demographics2 Footnotes: | [2] |
Demographics2 Title1: | 0 to 14 |
Demographics2 Info1: | 17.7% |
Demographics2 Title2: | 15 to 64 |
Demographics2 Info2: | 62.1% |
Demographics2 Title3: | 65 or older |
Demographics2 Info3: | 20.2% |
Timezone: | EET |
Utc Offset: | +2 |
Timezone Dst: | EEST |
Utc Offset Dst: | +3 |
Coordinates: | 63.25°N 73°W |
Alahärmä is a former municipality of Finland. It was consolidated, together with Kortesjärvi and Ylihärmä, to Kauhava on 1 January 2009.
It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region. The municipality had a population of 4,661 (as of 31 December 2008)[3] and covered a land area of 351.32km2.[4] The population density was .
Alahärmä stands in connection with the coast and the Gulf of Bothnia by the river Lapuanjoki. It was probably in combination with the fertile earth important for the first settlers in the area. The municipality, situated northeast of the town Vaasa, is dominated by the beautiful countryside and nature, but there are also small villages filled with activities. The companies are mainly within the metal industry, fur-farming, starch and milk production. The unemployment rate is one of the lowest in Finland.
There is also a supply of cultural activities for instance the annual folk festival "Härmälääset Häjyylyt", theatre, art exhibitions, concerts. The local greystone church was built in 1903.
Alahärmä is also the home of the northernmost wooden rollercoaster in the world, named Thunderbird at PowerPark resort and amusement park. The resort area also has hotels, camping area, restaurants, the largest indoor go-kart track in Europe and The Mika Salo Circuit outdoor go-kart track (designed by Mika Salo)
The municipality, which is unilingually Finnish, abuts areas in Ostrobothnia with mixed Swedish and Finnish speaking population.
Ekola, Hakola, Hanhila, Hanhimäki, Hilli, Huhtamäki, Kennetti, Kirkonkylä, Kivihuhta, Kojola, Kuoppala, Köykkäri, Lahdenkylä, Ojala, Poromaa, Pelkkala, Perkiömäki, Pesola, Vakkuri, Voltti, Yliviitala