Eastern Finland Itä-Suomen lääni Östra Finlands län
Coat of arms
Country	Finland
Established	September 1, 1997
Abolished	January 1, 2010
Capital	Mikkeli
Government
- Governor	Pirjo Ala-Kapee
Area
- Total	48,726 km2 (18,813.2 sq mi)
Population (2002)
- Total	588,106
- Density	12.1/km2 (31.3/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
ISO 3166 code	IS
NUTS code	13

The Province of Eastern Finland was a province of Finland from 1997 to 2010. It bordered the provinces of Oulu, Western Finland and Southern Finland. It also bordered Russia.

History

For history, geography and culture see: Savonia and Karelia

On September 1, 1997 the Province of Mikkeli, the Province of Kuopio and Province of Northern Karelia were joined to form the new Province of Eastern Finland.

All the provinces of Finland were abolished on January 1, 2010.¹

Administration

The State Provincial Office was a joint regional authority of seven different ministries. It promoted national and regional objectives of the State central administration. Eastern Finland State Provincial Office had branches offices in Mikkeli, Joensuu, Kuopio.

Regions

Main article: Regions of Eastern Finland

Eastern Finland was divided into three regions:

• North Karelia (Pohjois-Karjala/ Norra Karelen)
• Northern Savonia (Pohjois-Savo/ Norra Savolax)
• Southern Savonia (Etelä-Savo/ Södra Savolax)

The regions in Eastern Finland were divided on 66 municipalities.

Heraldry

The coat of arms of Eastern Finland was composed of the arms of Savonia and Karelia.

Notes

1. ^ "New regional administration model abolishes provinces in 2010". Helsingin Sanomat International Edition. Sanoma Corporation. 31 December 2009. http://www.hs.fi/english/article/New+regional+administration+model+abolishes+provinces+in+2010/1135251815296. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 

External links

• Eastern Finland State Provincial Office - Official site
• Video about travelling in Koli area

v • d • e Former provinces of Finland 1997–2009 Eastern Finland • Lapland • Oulu • Southern Finland • Western Finland • Åland 1917–1997 Central Finland (1960–1997) • Häme • Kuopio • Kymi (1947–1997) • Lapland • Mikkeli • Northern Karelia (1960–1997) • Oulu • Petsamo (1921) • Turku and Pori • Uusimaa • Vaasa • Viipuri (1917–1947) • Åland

Coordinates: 62°N 28°E / 62°N 28°E / 62; 28