MIKKELI

Swedish Sankt Michel, lni (province), southeastern Finland, encompassing the major part of the Savo forest region. It has a land area of 6,310 square miles (16,342 square km); approximately one-third of the province is occupied by the Saimaa and Pijnne lake systems. Principal towns are Mikkeli, the administrative capital; Savonlinna, a lake port, rail junction, and tourist centre; and Heinola, a rail terminus and resort centre. Local industry includes forestry and the manufacture of wood products; metalworking, food processing, and the quarrying of limestone, granite, and graphite are also important. Pop. (1991 est.) 208,345. Swedish Sankt Michel, town, capital of Mikkeli lni (province), southeastern Finland, northeast of Helsinki. Mikkeli received its town charter in 1838 and became the administrative capital of the province in 1843. It was the site of the Battle of the Porrassalmi Canal (1789), in which the Finns defeated a much larger Russian force. The town is the seat of a Lutheran bishopric and has a regional museum. Local industry includes plywood milling and granite quarrying. Tourist activities centre on skiing. Pop. (1991 est.) mun., 31,904.