Southwest Finland

The name Finland Proper has historical roots. In Early Middle Ages, in the area of the present-day Southern Finland was inhabited by three main tribes: the Finns, the Tavastians and the Karelians. The southwestern part of the country, where the Finns lived, was originally called simply Finland (Suomi in Finnish).

By the 17th century, the name Finland began to be used for a broader area, creating a need for a more specific name for this region. The earliest recorded terms for "Finland Proper" appeared in Latin in the 1650s as Fennigia specialiter dicta and Fennigia presse dicta. Later, in the 18th century, the Swedish terms Finland för sig sielft and Egenteliga Finland emerged. The modern Swedish name Egentliga Finland became officially recognized by the end of the century, while the Finnish equivalent, Varsinais-Suomi, was established around the 1850s.^[3]

Southwest Finland's nature differs from other regions. The most notable biotopes are the Archipelago Sea and groves. 80% of Finland's insect species can be found in Southwest Finland.^[4] There are around 20,000 islands near the coast.^[5]

The southernmost point of Southwest Finland and the southernmost inhabited island is Utö.^[6] Its highest point is 164 meters in Kiikala.^[7]

The region uses the coat of arms of the historical province of Finland Proper. The knight's helmet motif on the coat of arms has been interpreted as symbolizing the court of Duke of Finland, the in the southern part of the duchy, as well as the region's position as the administrative centre of the land.^[8]

The region of Southwest Finland consists of 27 municipalities, 11 of which have city status (marked in bold).

Municipalities on the map

Turku

Salo

Kaarina

Raisio

Naantali

Loimaa

Uusi-
kaupunki

Lieto

Pargas

Paimio

Somero

Masku

Laitila

Pöytyä

Mynämäki

Kimitoön

Rusko

Nousiainen

Aura

Sauvo

Koski Tl

Vehmaa

Pyhäranta

Marttila

Taivassalo

Oripää

Kustavi

Gulf of Finland

Archipelago Sea

Turku Archipelago

Bothnian
Sea

Sata-
kunta

Pirkan-
maa

Kanta-
Häme

Uusi-
maa

Municipalities

  Over 100 000 inhabitants

  Over 30 000 inhabitants

  Over 10 000 inhabitants

  Over 3 000 inhabitants

 < 3 000 inhabitants

Cities and municipalities of Southwest Finland.

List of municipalities

More information Coat of arms, Municipality ...

Coat of arms	Municipality	Population	Land area (km2)	Density (/km2)	Finnish speakers	Swedish speakers	Other speakers
	Aura	3,937	95	41	96 %	0 %	3 %
	Kaarina	36,675	151	244	88 %	5 %	7 %
	Koski Tl	2,144	192	11	95 %	0 %	4 %
	Kimitoön	6,340	687	9	30 %	65 %	5 %
	Kustavi	972	166	6	93 %	2 %	5 %
	Laitila	8,400	532	16	86 %	0 %	14 %
	Lieto	20,732	301	69	94 %	2 %	5 %
	Loimaa	15,124	848	18	94 %	0 %	6 %
	Marttila	1,890	195	10	96 %	1 %	3 %
	Masku	9,612	175	55	96 %	1 %	3 %
	Mynämäki	7,424	520	14	95 %	1 %	4 %
	Naantali	20,390	313	65	94 %	1 %	5 %
	Nousiainen	4,667	199	23	95 %	1 %	4 %
	Oripää	1,264	118	11	90 %	0 %	10 %
	Paimio	11,284	239	47	94 %	1 %	5 %
	Pargas	14,712	884	17	42 %	53 %	5 %
	Pyhäranta	1,892	144	13	97 %	1 %	3 %
	Pöytyä	7,903	750	11	94 %	1 %	5 %
	Raisio	26,036	49	534	84 %	1 %	15 %
	Rusko	6,381	127	50	95 %	2 %	3 %
	Salo	50,339	1,987	25	89 %	1 %	9 %
	Sauvo	2,957	253	12	90 %	2 %	7 %
	Somero	8,339	668	12	93 %	1 %	7 %
	Taivassalo	1,707	140	12	91 %	1 %	8 %
	Turku	209,633	246	853	77 %	5 %	18 %
	Uusikaupunki	14,783	503	29	90 %	0 %	10 %
	Vehmaa	2,263	189	12	92 %	1 %	7 %
	Total	497,800	9,097	55	83 %	6 %	12 %

Close

In parliamentary elections, Southwest Finland forms a single electoral district. As of 2023, the Southwest Finland constituency elects 17 of the 200 members of the Parliament of Finland.^[12]

• Finns proper
• Southwest Finnish dialects