| [image] | |
| City | Tampere (1779) |
| Administrative Province | Western Finland |
| Historical Province | Tavastia |
| Area - Total - Land - Water | Ranked 129th 690.6 km² 522.7 km² 167.9 km² |
| Population - Total (2003-12-31) - Density | Ranked 3rd 200,980 378/km² |
Tampere (Swedish name Tammerfors) is a city in southern Finland located between two lakes: Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. Since the two lakes differ in level by 18 metres, the Tammerkoski rapids linking them have been an important power source throughout history, most recently for generating electricity.
Tampere, with about 200,000 inhabitants in the city itself, and more than 300,000 including the neighbouring municipalities, is the second most important urban centre in Finland after the Helsinki region and the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries.
In terms of population, Tampere is the third largest city in Finland, and the only city in the top four outside the Greater Helsinki area.
Tampere grew as a major market place and industrial centre in the 19th century. During the latter half of 19th century Tampere had almost half of Finland's industrial labour. The town's industrial nature in the 19th and 20th centuries gave it the nickname 'Manchester of the North', Manse for short.
Tampere was the epicentre of many important political events of Finland in the early 20th century. On 1 November 1905 the famous "Red Declaration" was given during the general strike on Keskustori, the central square of Tampere, subsequently leading to Universal suffrage in Finland and the Tsar of Russia granting larger freedoms to Finns. In 1918, when Finland had recently gained independence, Tampere also played a major role, being one of the strategically important scenes during the Civil War in Finland (January 28 - May 15 1918). White forces captured Tampere seizing about 10.000 Red prisoners on April 6.
After World War II Tampere was enlarged by joining some neighbouring areas. Messukylä was incorporated in 1947, Lielahti 1950, Aitolahti in 1966 and finally Teisko in 1972. Tampere was known for its textile and metal industry, but these have been largely replaced by Information technology and telecommunications industry during the 1990s. Technology centre Hermia in Hervanta is home to many companies in these industries.
Tampere is part of Pirkanmaa region and is surrounded by the municipalities of Kangasala, Kuru, Lempäälä, Nokia, Orivesi, Pirkkala, Ruovesi and Ylöjärvi.
Tampere Film Festival, the international short film festival is held every March. Tampereen Teatterikesä is an international theater festival held in Tampere every August. Tammerfest is Tampere's urban rock festival held in every July.
Pispala is a ridge located between lake Näsijärvi and lake Pyhäjärvi. It used to house the majority of industrial labour in late 19th and early 20th century. Currently it is a popular residential area and together with neighbouring Pyynikki it forms an important historical area of Tampere.