Ostrobothnia, Administrative region on western coast, Finland
Ostrobothnia is an administrative region on Finland's west coast along the Gulf of Bothnia, stretching across roughly 8000 square kilometers (3089 square miles). The area includes fifteen municipalities along a coastal strip running from Kristinestad in the south to Kokkola in the north.
The territory belonged to the historical Ostrobothnia County until 1775, before becoming part of Vaasa Province. The present administrative structure was formed in 2009 after several territorial reorganizations during the 20th century.
The coastal strip takes its name from the old Swedish word for river land, referring to the many rivers flowing into the sea. Residents often use Swedish or Finnish names for the same places in daily life, depending on their mother tongue.
Vaasa serves as the administrative center of the area and offers connections to the surrounding municipalities. Coastal roads and smaller routes pass through farmland and small harbor towns along the gulf.
In Närpes, Swedish alone is used for official matters, making it one of the few municipalities in Finland with only one administrative language. Signs, forms, and public notices there appear only in Swedish.
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