Kokkola, Coastal municipality in Central Ostrobothnia, Finland
Kokkola is a coastal municipality in Central Ostrobothnia along the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia. The settlement stretches along the waterfront and includes numerous islands, bays and waterways that shape the townscape.
A Swedish king founded the settlement as a trading port in 1620 to benefit from the tar trade. The maritime location brought the town economic growth through shipping and export over the centuries.
The town carries two official names and residents speak both Finnish and Swedish in daily life. Street signs display both languages side by side, making the bilingual identity of the community visible.
Visitors reach the center on foot along the waterfront promenade or through the lanes of the old district. Most public facilities are located near the market square and are easy to find.
Local inhabitants drove off British marines attempting to land on the beach during a skirmish in 1854. This incident is still remembered today as a local act of courage and forms part of the town identity.
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