Kanta-Häme
Kanta-Häme, sometimes referred to as Tavastia Proper (obsolete name)[1] (Finnish: Kanta-Häme; Swedish: Egentliga Tavastland) is a region (maakunta / landskap) of Finland. The region is also sometimes called the Häme region.[2] It borders the regions of Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme, and Uusimaa.
Kanta-Häme
Kanta-Hämeen maakunta landskapet Egentliga Tavastland | |
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![]() Flag ![]() Coat of arms | |
![]() Kanta-Häme on a map of Finland | |
Country | Finland |
Historical province | Tavastia |
Capital | Hämeenlinna |
Area | |
• Total | 5,706.39 km2 (2,203.25 sq mi) |
Population (2019) | |
• Total | 170,925 |
• Density | 30/km2 (78/sq mi) |
ISO 3166 code | FI-06 |
NUTS | 184 |
Regional bird | Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) |
Regional fish | Carp bream (Abramis brama) |
Regional flower | Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens) |
Website | hameenliitto.fi |
Hämeenlinna is the largest urban area in the region. There are two other municipalities that have township status: Riihimäki and Forssa.
Historical provinces
The region of Kanta-Häme has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The first written mention of the historical Tavastia province is found in the Chronicle Of Novgorod, in reference to a military campaign launched by Prince Vladimir in 1042. The region had been ruled by the Swedes since the late 13th century, when Birger Jarl led the Second Crusade against the inhabitants of historical Tavastia province. In the 14th century, Häme became a fiefdom, whose administrative seat was Häme Castle. When Finland was taken from Sweden by the Russians in 1809, Tavastia proper also became part of the Russian Empire. Russian rule ended in 1917.[2]
For more history, geography and culture see: Tavastia (historical province)
Municipalities
The region of Tavastia Proper is made up of 11 municipalities, of which three have city status (marked in bold).
Heraldry
![](../I/Gaupe%252C_Ilves%252C_Kuusamo_2013_-_panoramio.jpg.webp)
Kanta-Häme uses the arms of the old historical province Tavastia.
Culture
Kanta-Häme region is well known for the preserved tradition of brewing sahti.
Politics
Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in Tavastia Proper:
- Social Democratic Party 24.82%
- Finns Party 19.72%
- National Coalition Party 18.95%
- Centre Party 10.41%
- Left Alliance 8.81%
- Green League 7.99%
- Christian Democrats 5.22%
- Movement Now 1.58%
- Seven Star Movement 0.61%
- Blue Reform 0.42%
- Swedish People's Party 0.19%
- Other parties 1.28%
Gallery
- Castle of Häme from the 14th century, Hämeenlinna
- Birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius, Hämeenlinna
- Church of the Holy Cross in Hattula; the oldest church in whole Tavastia
- Hakoinen Hill Fort in Janakkala
- A traditional timber house in Tammela
- Marshal's Cabin, a hunting lodge of Marshal Mannerheim, Loppi
- The medieval Hauho Church
- A railway passage for museum use has been preserved in Jokioinen
- Hämeenlinna market square with the City Hall in the foreground
- Alvettula Museum Bridge, Hauho
- Turenki Railway Station, one of four remaining original station buildings at Finland's first railway
- Old spinning mill buildings in Forssa, an old industry town
- Riihimäki Railway Station; Riihimäki is an important crossing point for railways and the northernmost place in Helsinki metropolitan area
- The national romantic view tower in Aulanko park
- A view towards Lake Aulangonjärvi from the Aulanko tower
- Renko Church
- Rural landscape in Jokioinen
- Hakoinen Manor in Janakkala; there are plenty of manors in southern Tavastia
- Lake Katuma in Hämeenlinna
- Lammi Church from the inside
- Lake Pyhäjärvi, Tammela
- Forssa Church
- A baroque warehouse in Jokioinen
- Hausjärvi Church
- The postmodern railway station in Humppila
- Old church in Loppi; a rare example of small Finnish 17th century wooden churches
- An idyll in Riihimäki Old Town
- A view from Hämeen Härkätie, Häme Oxen Road, an old road from Hämeenlinna to former capital Turku dating back to the 9th century
- Moorland in Torronsuo National Park, Tammela
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tavastia Proper. |