Oulu is a city in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. It is the biggest city in Northern Finland.
Oulu was established in 1605, it’s more than 400 years old.
In 2015, the Kaleva Media printing plant in Oulu became the most powerful photovoltaic solar plant in Finland, with 1,604 solar photovoltaic (PV) units on its roof.
Oulu is considered one of Europe’s “living labs”, where residents experiment with new technology on a community-wide scale.
Oulu has been the seat of a bishopric since 1900.
The municipality of Ylikiiminki was merged with the city of Oulu on 1 January 2009. Oulu and the municipalities of Haukipudas, Kiiminki, Oulunsalo, and Yli-Ii were merged on 1 January 2013.
The city is named after the river Oulujoki, which originates in the lake Oulujärvi. There have been a number of other theories for the origin of the name Oulu. One possible source is a word in the Sami language meaning ‘flood water’.
The Port of Oulu is one of the busiest harbours on the Bothnian Bay. It includes four separate harbour areas: Vihreäsaari oil and bulk docks, Nuottasaari docks and Oritkari docks.
The Population of Oulu and municipality is 208,939, as of 2019.
The University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences have their main campuses located in Oulu.
Notable statues and sculptures in Oulu include a sculpture of Frans Michael Franzén and The Bobby at the Market Place statue.
Oulu was the site of the 2018 Oulu child sexual exploitation scandal.
Oulu is divided into 106 city districts. The largest of these are Haukipudas, Oulunsalo, Kaakkuri, Ritaharju, Tuira, and Kell