Description of the area of Kuusamo
About Kuusamo
General view about Kuusamo
Kuusamo is situated in the north-eastern part of Finland close to the Arctic Circle and it is known for the beauty of the nature. In Kuusamo you can experience all the 4 seasons with all-round of outdoor and nature activities. Fells and forests reach as far as the eye can see a wilderness split by lakes, rivers and rapids. In summertime you can enjoy the long day under the midnight sun and in the wintertime an abundance of snow is guaranteed. Kuusamo is one of the most famous all-year tourism resorts in Finland. The variety of activities, the diversity of wild nature and continuous development of the area guarantee that Kuusamo-area offers also in the future unforgettable experiences for people nearby or far away.
How to come to Kuusamo?
There are daily flights from Helsinki to Kuusamo and you reach Kuusamo in about one hour. During the winter season there are several charter flights from Europe arriving to Kuusamo-airport. You can take the train and continue to Kuusamo by bus. The roads are generally in good condition in Finland so travelling with the car is also quite pleasant.
The area and landscape
The total range of the area is 5805 square kilometers, of which 799 square kilometers is water. Kuusamo is a highland area where the waters flow to five different directions. The highest hills are ca. 200 meters above the surrounding area and ca. 500 meters above the sea level. A 60% of the total area of Kuusamo is forest and there are 166 large lakes with total length of the shoreline 2700 km.
Climate
The climate in Kuusamo region is more continental than in most other parts of Finland. The mean temperature of the year is around 0°C and the growing season is 135 days long. The ground is covered with snow around 200 days from the end of October till the middle of May.
History
The parish of Kuusamo was founded in 1675. The township of Kuusamo was established in 1868, and in 2000 Kuusamo was declared a city. The oldest traces of Kuusamo habitation are from the Stone Age. The Sàmi settled later in the region, living there until the midpoint of the 1700s. The first inhabitants were nomads who hunted and fished in addition to owning reindeers.
More information about Kuusamo and Finland you can find from the following links:
