KUOPIO

city, capital of Kuopion lni (Kuopio province), south central Finland, on the Kallavesi (lake). Originally founded in 1653, Kuopio existed as little more than a village until 1776, when King Gustav III ordered new city plans drawn up. It received its municipal charter in 1782. Kuopio is the centre of the Finnish Orthodox Church and has a bishopric and a seminary. Accessible by major water and rail routes as well as air service, the city serves as the cultural and economic centre of the lni. Industry is centred on wood products, flour processing, and liqueur distillation. It is a tourist centre for the Savo lake and forest country, and nearby Puijo hill is one of Finland's best known skiing centres. Kuopio province has a land area of 6,455 sq mi (16,719 sq km). It encompasses many lakes (which compose nearly one-fifth of its total area) and the northern portion of the great Savo forest. Its chief towns, in addition to Kuopio City, are Iisalmi and Varkaus. Pop. (1984 est.) mun., 76,792; province, 254,799.