Kemi

Kemi sits at the mouth of the Kemijoki River where it meets the Bothnian Bay, spreading across a vast area with significant water coverage. The town functions as a port and industrial center with direct access to the sea.

A Russian emperor decreed the founding of Kemi in the 1800s, transforming a small fishing village into a significant port location in the north. This establishment marked the start of its growth as an industrial center.

The town maintains strong ties to seafaring and traditional maritime crafts that visitors can observe in local workshops and along the waterfront. These practices shape the daily life and identity of residents in visible, tangible ways.

The town connects to Helsinki and other Lapland areas by rail, while a nearby airport provides air travel options for visitors. Both land and air transportation make reaching the area straightforward.

Since the mid-1990s, workers rebuild an ice castle each winter with fresh architectural designs that change from year to year. This frozen structure shapes the winter landscape and draws visitors during the cold season.

Location: Lapland

Inception: 1869

Elevation above the sea: 4 m

Reference: 240

Shares border with: Tornio, Simo, Keminmaa

Website: https://kemi.fi/en

GPS coordinates: 65.73364,24.56342

Latest update: December 12, 2025 10:41