Oulainen, North Ostrobothnia Region, Finland

🇫🇮 Oulainen (Oulainen, Oulais) is a town and a municipality of Finland. It is located in the Northern Ostrobothnia region, 101 km (63 mi) south of the city of Oulu. The municipality covers an area of 597.53 square km (230.71 sq mi) of which 10.01 km² (3.86 sq mi) is water. The population density is 11.83 inhabitants per square kilometre (30.6/sq mi). Oulainen is founded in 1865, and it received township rights in 1977.

The municipality is unilingually Finnish. The municipality has previously also been known as "Oulais" in Swedish documents, but is today referred to as "Oulainen" also in Swedish.

Geography Neighbouring municipalities are Alavieska, Haapavesi, Merijärvi, Pyhäjoki, Raahe and Ylivieska. In addition to the town centre, the municipality includes the villages of Kilpua, Lehtopää, Matkaniva, Petäjäskoski, Piipsjärvi and Honkaranta.

History Oulainen was first mentioned in 1572 as Oulahais and as a part of the Pyhäjoki parish. A farm named Oulahainen was established earlier. The name comes from a dialectal word oulu meaning "flooding waters" (see also Oulu) and seems to suggest a Tavastian origin. Alpo Räisänen suggests that the name could be of Savonian or Karelian origin.

Oulainen became a chapel community in 1682, a parish in 1870, a kauppala in 1967 and a town in 1977.

Events Notable annual events include the National Veteran Machines Fair (Waltakunnalliset Weteraanikonepäivät) and Oulainen Music Weeks (Oulaisten Musiikkiviikot). Oulainen Music Weeks were organized for the twentieth time in 2006. The Oulainen Youth Choir (Oulaisten Nuorisokuoro) has received international acclaim.