TAMPERE

Swedish Tammerfors, city, Hmeen lni (province), southwestern Finland, on an isthmus traversed by the Tammer Rapids between Lakes Nsi and Pyh, northwest of Helsinki. Founded in 1779, it remained undeveloped until 1821, when Tsar Alexander I of Russia encouraged its growth by granting tax-free importation of raw materials and equipment. This privilege, enjoyed until 1905, resulted in the industrial expansion of the city. In 1918 an important victory in the Finnish War of Independence was won there. The Hme Museum of History (founded 1804) is in Tampere. The city is notable for many fine examples of modern Finnish architecture by Carl Ludwig Engel, Lars Sonck, Viljo Revell, Tovio Korhonen, and Jaako Ieveskoski. The cathedral was completed in 1907. Tampere is Finland's second largest city and industrial centre and has the country's main textile and leather plants as well as lumber mills and machinery factories. It is a lake port and major rail junction. Its factories were built into the natural surroundings according to an industrial plan; they are primarily run by hydroelectric power, thereby reducing air pollution caused by coal dust and smoke. Pop. (1987 est.) mun., 170,097.