Editing Kokkola

{{short description|Town in Central Ostrobothnia, Finland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Kokkola
| official_name = {{lang|fi|Kokkolan kaupunki}}<br />{{lang|sv|Karleby stad}}
| native_name = {{native name|fi|Kokkola}}<br />{{native name|sv|Karleby}}
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Kokkola town hall.jpg
| image_caption = Old Kokkola town hall
| image_shield = Kokkola.vaakuna.svg
| shield_size = 120x80px
| image_map = Kokkola sijainti Suomi.svg
| map_caption = Location of Kokkola in Finland
|coordinates = {{coord|63|50.2|N|023|08|E|type:city({{Data Finland municipality|population_total|Kokkola}})_region:FI-07|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Finland}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Finland|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Central Ostrobothnia]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Sub-regions of Finland|Sub-region]]
| subdivision_name2 = Kokkola sub-region
| leader_title = Town manager
| leader_name = Stina Mattila
| established_title = [[Charter]]
| established_date = 1620
|area_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|area_footnotes|Kokkola}}
|area_total_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_total_km2|Kokkola}}
|area_land_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_land_km2|Kokkola}}
|area_water_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_water_km2|Kokkola}}
|area_rank = {{Data Finland municipality|area_rank|Kokkola}}
|population_as_of = {{Data Finland municipality|population_as_of|Kokkola}}
|population_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|population_footnotes|Kokkola}}
|population_total = {{Data Finland municipality|population_total|Kokkola}}
|population_density_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|population_density_km2|Kokkola}}
|population_rank = {{Data Finland municipality|population_rank|Kokkola}}
|demographics_type1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type1|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_footnotes|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title1|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info1|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title2|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info2|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title3|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info3|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_title4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title4|Kokkola}}
|demographics1_info4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info4|Kokkola}}
|demographics_type2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type2|Kokkola}}
|demographics2_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_footnotes|Kokkola}}
|demographics2_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title1|Kokkola}}
|demographics2_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info1|Kokkola}}
|demographics2_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title2|Kokkola}}
|demographics2_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info2|Kokkola}}
|demographics2_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title3|Kokkola}}
|demographics2_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info3|Kokkola}}
|blank_name = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_name|Kokkola}}
|blank_info = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_info|Kokkola}}
|timezone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
|utc_offset = +02:00
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +03:00
| website = {{Url|https://www.kokkola.fi/en/}}
}}
'''Kokkola''' ({{IPA|fi|ˈkokːolɑ|lang}}; {{langx|sv|Karleby}}, {{IPA|sv-FI|ˈkɑrleˌbyː|lang}}) is a [[town]] in [[Finland]] and the regional capital of [[Central Ostrobothnia]]. It is located on the west coast of the country, on the [[Gulf of Bothnia]]. The population of Kokkola is approximately {{formatnum:{{#expr:{{Data Finland municipality/population count|{{PAGENAME}}}}round -3}}}}, while the [[Kokkola sub-region|sub-region]] has a population of approximately {{formatnum: {{#expr: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kannus}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kokkola}}round -3}}}}. It is the {{ordinal|{{Data Finland municipality/population count sequence|{{PAGENAME}}}}}} most populous [[Municipalities of Finland|municipality]] in Finland, and the 20th most populous [[List of urban areas in Finland by population|urban area]] in the country.

Kokkola covers an area of {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/total area|Kokkola}}|km2}} of which {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/waters area|Kokkola}}|km2|abbr=on}} is water.<ref name="total_area" /> The population density is {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/population density|Kokkola|round=2}}|PD/km2}}. Neighbour municipalities are [[Halsua]], [[Kalajoki]], [[Kannus]], [[Kaustinen]], [[Kronoby]], [[Lestijärvi]], [[Larsmo]] and [[Toholampi]].

Kokkola is a [[bilingual]] municipality with [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] as its official languages. The population consists of {{Formatnum: {{pct|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Finnish|Kokkola}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kokkola}}|0}}}} Finnish speakers, {{Formatnum: {{pct|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Swedish|Kokkola}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kokkola}}|0}}}} Swedish speakers, and {{Formatnum: {{pct|{{Data Finland municipality/native language other|Kokkola}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kokkola}}|0}}}} speakers of other languages.

==Etymology==
===Name===
[[File:Kokkola railway station bilingual sign.jpg|thumb|left|The bilingual sign at the train station.]]
In the oldest Swedish sources Kokkola is mentioned as ''Karlabi''. The town was known in Swedish by the name {{lang|sv|Gamlakarleby}} until 1 January 1977 when the surrounding land municipality of Kaarlela ({{langx|sv|Karleby}}) was consolidated with Kokkola, and the town took over the Swedish name of {{lang|sv|Karleby}}. The word {{lang|sv|gamla}} means "old", ''karl'' (anglicanized Charles), is a Germanic males name, a name of many kings, meaning simply "man" and ''by'' means "village", so the town name is ambiguous meaning both "old village of Charles" or "old man village". The Latin name was ''Carolina Vetus''. [[Gustav II Adolf]], the founder of the city, possibly named the town in honor of his father King [[Karl IX]] of Sweden. The Finnish name is possibly derived from Kokkolahti, a narrow bay located at the place of the town. According to a tale the [[White-tailed eagle|sea eagles]] (in Finnish merikotka or kokko) used to live there.<ref name="historiaa">{{cite web | url=https://www.kokkola.fi/kokkolan-kaupunki/tietoa-kokkolasta/historia/ | title=Historia }}</ref> Another theory claims that the name comes from ancient signal fires (kokko), which were used to warn people about approaching enemy troops.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

===Heraldry===
The [[coat of arms]] of Kokkola is based on the [[Seal (emblem)|city seal]] issued in 1620 in connection with the founding of the city. The pattern is a symbol of [[tar]] burning and tar trade, which have played a significant part in the history of the city since its founding until the 19th century. The coat of arms was designed by Olof Eriksson and Into I. Suominen, and it was confirmed for use on 17 December 1956.<ref>{{cite book | title = Suomen kunnallisvaakunat | publisher = Suomen Kunnallisliitto | year = 1982 | isbn = 951-773-085-3 | language = fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Jussi Iltanen|title=Suomen kuntavaakunat|year=2013|pages=120–121|publisher=Karttakeskus | language = fi}}</ref><ref>Бойко Дм. А. ''Геральдика Великого Княжества Финляндского''. – Запорожье, 2013. (in Russian)</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Kaarlela church.jpg|thumb|left|Kaarlela church]]
The town of Kokkola was chartered in 1620 by King [[Gustav II Adolf]] of Sweden when Finland was a part of the [[Swedish Empire]] and is one among the oldest towns in Finland. The king also decided that a tar barrel, with three burning flames coming from both the ends and the plug, should be used as the town seal, because of the [[tar]] trade at that time, for which Kokkola was founded as a shipping port. [[Anders Chydenius]] (1729-1803) who was one of the leading politicians of [[Sweden]], was a keen supporter of economic freedom and fought in the [[Swedish Parliament]] for free foreign trade and further social reforms. In 1765 the Swedish Parliament granted the city of Kokkola the [[staple right]]s. Kokkola also became an important [[shipbuilding]] centre in Finland. As a result of tar trade and shipbuilding industry, Kokkola was for a time one of the richest towns in Finland.
[[File:Swertschkoff Kankkonen.jpg|thumb|left|Matts Kankkonen defended Kokkola during the skirmish of Halkokari.]]
An interesting historical affair, known as the [[Skirmish of Halkokari]], occurred at the town on 7 June 1854 during the [[Åland War]], part of the [[Crimean War]]. [[Royal Marines]] from [[HMS Vulture (1843)|HMS Vulture]] and [[HMS Odin (1846)|HMS Odin]] tried to come ashore to deal with public property in the town "in accordance with the usages of war". The marines were repelled by local defenders armed with hunting rifles supported by troops, artillery and possibly Russian advisors and military. One of the 9 smaller British craft (a [[gunboat]]) fell into the hands of the defenders. As such, this boat was the only Royal Navy vessel still in foreign possession in 1914. The boat is still today a museum-object and can be seen in Kokkola's English Park. The town council has refused to return the boat despite several requests by the United Kingdom, most recently by [[John Stuttard]], the Lord Mayor of London. The British Treasury annually pays a small sum to the local church congregation for the maintenance of the graves of nine Royal Marines killed in action during the skirmish .<ref name="jakobstads_tidning">{{Cite web |url=http://www.jakobstadstidning.fi/story.aspx?storyID=6169 |title=Jakobstads Tidning |access-date=13 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927235730/http://www.jakobstadstidning.fi/story.aspx?storyID=6169 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Interesting contemporaneous accounts of the disastrous action can be found in the British Newspaper Archive, citing Gamla Carleby.

The city had a Swedish-speaking majority until 1933.

In 1977, the surrounding municipality of Kaarlela ({{langx|sv|Karleby}}) was consolidated into Kokkola (Swedish until then: {{lang|sv|Gamlakarleby}}). In 2009, the municipalities of [[Lohtaja]], [[Kälviä]] and [[Ullava]] were consolidated with Kokkola.

== Geography ==
[[File:Kokkola.kuntaliitokset.svg|thumb|Map of the entire Kokkola area after the [[Merger (politics)|municipal consolidations]]]]
Kokkola is the capital of the [[Central Ostrobothnia]] region, it is located on the coast of [[Gulf of Bothnia]], the northernmost part of the [[Baltic Sea]]. The next larger cities are [[Vaasa]] is {{convert|121|km|0|abbr=off}} southwest, and [[Oulu]] is {{convert|198|km|0|abbr=off}} northeast. The distance to the capital Helsinki is {{convert|483|km|0|abbr=off}} to the south. Neighbouring cities and municipals are [[Kalajoki]] in the northern east, [[Kannus]] and [[Toholampi]] in the east, [[Halsua]] and [[Kaustinen]] in the southern east, [[Kronoby]] in the south and [[Larsmo]] in the southern west.

The landscape of the region around Kokkola is flat, typical for the area of [[Ostrobothnia (historical province)|Ostrobothnia]], with numerous river courses flowing through the land. The biggest river in the area is [[Perhonjoki]], which flows into [[Gulf of Bothnia]], north of Kokkola.

The annual [[post-glacial rebound]] at Kokkola is 8.8&nbsp;mm. Thus large areas of present-day Kokkola were under water when the town was founded.

=== Climate ===
{{Weather box
| location = Kokkola-Pietarsaari airport, normals 1991-2020, extremes 1961 - present
| source = FMI climatological normals for Finland 1991–2020
| metric first = y <!-- always, except UK or US cities -->
| Jul high C = 21.7
| Jul low C = 11.1
| Jul record high C = 34.3
| Jul record low C = -0.5
| Aug mean C = 14.6
| Aug high C = 19.6
| Aug low C = 9.5
| Aug record high C = 31.3
| Aug record low C = -3.2
| Sep mean C = 9.6
| Sep high C = 14.2
| Sep low C = 5.2
| Sep record high C = 27.6
| Oct mean C = 3.8
| Sep record low C = -8.6
| Oct high C = 6.8
| Oct low C = 0.5
| Oct record high C = 20.9
| Oct record low C = -22.2
| Nov mean C = -0.5
| Nov high C = 1.8
| Nov low C = -3.1
| Nov record high C = 12.3
| Nov record low C = -32.2
| Dec mean C = -3.9
| Dec high C = -1.0
| Dec low C = -6.7
| Dec record high C = 8.4
| Jul mean C = 16.4
| Jun record high C = 32.6
| Jun record low C = -3.6
| Mar low C = -7.4
| Jan mean C = -6.2
| Jan high C = -3.2
| Jan low C = -10.1
| Jan record high C = 9.1
| Jan record low C = -40.5
| single line = y
| Feb mean C = -6.9
| Feb high C = -3.2
| Feb low C = -10.6
| Feb record high C = 10.4
| Feb record low C = -41.5
| Mar mean C = -3.3
| Mar high C = 0.9
| Mar record high C = 13.9
| Jun low C = 7.6
| Mar record low C = -33.4
| Apr mean C = 2.4
| Apr high C = 7.4
| Apr low C = -2.2
| Apr record high C = 21.4
| Apr record low C = -22.2
| May mean C = 8.3
| May high C = 14.1
| May low C = 2.4
| May record high C = 29.6
| May record low C = -10.1
| Jun mean C = 13.5
| Jun high C = 18.5
| Dec record low C = -37.9
}}

{{Weather box
| collapsed = y
| single line = y 
| metric first = y <!-- always, except UK or US cities -->
| location = Kokkola Tankar (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1996- present)
| Jan mean C = -4.5
| Feb mean C = -5.8
| Mar mean C = -3.1
| Apr mean C = 1.1
| May mean C = 6.1
| Jun mean C = 11.5
| Jul mean C = 15.7
| Aug mean C = 15.3
| Sep mean C = 11.1
| Oct mean C = 5.7
| Nov mean C = 1.2
| Dec mean C = -1.8
| year mean C = 4.4
| Jan high C = -2.1
| Feb high C = -3.1
| Mar high C = 0.1
| Apr high C = 4.3
| May high C = 9.8
| Jun high C = 14.9
| Jul high C = 18.7
| Aug high C = 17.9
| Sep high C = 13.3
| Oct high C = 7.3
| Nov high C = 2.8
| Dec high C = 0.1
| year high C = 7.0
| Jan record high C = 6.0
| Feb record high C = 6.3
| Mar record high C = 11.1
| Apr record high C = 18.5
| May record high C = 23.3
| Jun record high C = 28.6
| Jul record high C = 30.2
| Aug record high C = 30.3
| Sep record high C = 22.9
| Oct record high C = 18.4
| Nov record high C = 11.0
| Dec record high C = 7.7
| year record high C = 30.3
| Jan low C = -7.0
| Feb low C = -8.5
| Mar low C = -5.5
| Apr low C = -1.2
| May low C = 3.9
| Jun low C = 9.5
| Jul low C = 13.6
| Aug low C = 13.2
| Sep low C = 9.1
| Oct low C = 3.9
| Nov low C = -0.6
| Dec low C = -3.9
| year low C = 2.2
| Jan record low C = -30.2
| Feb record low C = -28.3
| Mar record low C = -23.7
| Apr record low C = -16.2
| May record low C = -4.8
| Jun record low C = 1.8
| Jul record low C = 7.3
| Aug record low C = 6.5
| Sep record low C = 2.0
| Oct record low C = -5.8
| Nov record low C = -17.7
| Dec record low C = -25.4
| year record low C = -30.2
| Jan humidity    = 88
| Feb humidity    = 88
| Mar humidity    = 85
| Apr humidity    = 83
| May humidity    = 80
| Jun humidity    = 80
| Jul humidity    = 82
| Aug humidity    = 82
| Sep humidity    = 83
| Oct humidity    = 85
| Nov humidity    = 89
| Dec humidity    = 89
| year humidity   = 85
| source 2 = Record highs and lows<ref name="FMI open data">{{cite web
| url = https://kilotavu.com/fmi-tilastot.php?taulukkomoodi=true
| title = FMI open data
| publisher = FMI
| access-date = 22 October 2023}}</ref>
| source = FMI normals 1991-2020<ref name="FMI">{{cite web|url=https://www.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/ilmastollinen-vertailukausi |title=FMI normals 1991-2020|publisher=fmi.fi |access-date= 22 October 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==

===Population===
{{Historical populations
| title= Historical population
| percentages = pagr
|state = collapsed
 |1815|1799
 |1850|2379
 |1870|1977
 |1890|2302
 |1910|3714
 |1920|4130
 |1930|5703
 |1939|9063
 |1972|39497
 |1980|41848
 |1990|43267	
 |2000|44182
 |2010|46260
 |2020|47772
 |footnote=Source: Tilastollinen päätoimisto,<ref name="stv1940">{{Cite web  | url=https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/69230/stv_1940.pdf | title=Suomen tilastollinen vuosikirja 1940 | date=1941 | publisher=Tilastollinen päätoimisto | access-date=5 January 2025 | language=fi }}</ref> [[Statistics Finland]] (1972-2020)<ref name="Stat-finland-population-38,000-persons"/>
}}
The city of Kokkola has {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kokkola}}}} inhabitants, making it the {{ordinal|{{Data Finland municipality/population count sequence|Kokkola}}}} most populous municipality in Finland. The [[Kokkola sub-region|Kokkola region]] has a population of {{formatnum: {{#expr: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kokkola}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kannus}}}}}}. 

{{Bar chart
| title   = Population size of Kokkola (and merged municipalities) 1990–2020<ref name="Stat-finland-population-38,000-persons">{{Cite web | url=https://stat.fi/en/publication/cl8lprraorrr20dut5a0tywm5 | title=Number of foreign-language speakers grew by nearly 38,000 persons | date=31 May 2023 | publisher=Statistics Finland | access-date=12 September 2023 | language=en }}</ref>
| label_type  = Year
| data_type   = Population
| bar_width = 47
| width_units = em
| label3  = 1990
| label4  = 1995
| label5  = 2000
| label6  = 2005
| label7  = 2010
| label8  = 2015
| label9  = 2020 
| data_max = 49000
| data3  = 43267	
| data4  = 44441
| data5  = 44182	
| data6  = 44627
| data7  = 46260	
| data8  = 47570
| data9  = 47772
}}

=== Languages ===

{{Pie chart
|thumb = left
|direction=row
|caption = Population by<br/>mother tongue (2024)<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final">{{cite web |url= https://stat.fi/en/publication/cm1jg8tr20lco07vwvoif9s6i |title= Number of foreign-language speakers exceeded 600,000 during 2024  |date= 2025-04-04 |series= Population structure |publisher= Statistics Finland |issn= 1797-5395  |access-date=2025-04-14 }}</ref>
|label1 = Finnish
|value1 = 82.5
|color1 = #002F6C
|label2 = Swedish
|value2 = 11.8
|color2 = #FFCD00
|label3 = Russian
|value3 = 0.7
|color3 = #D52B1E
|label4 = Ukrainian
|value4 = 0.6
|color4 = #0057B8
|label5 = English
|value5 = 0.4
|color5 = #FFFFFF
|label6 = Arabic
|value6 = 0.4
|color6 = #165D31
|label7 = Chinese
|value7 = 0.3
|color7 = #FFFF00
|label8 = Other
|value8 = 3.3
|color8 = #C5C5C5
}}
The city of Kokkola is officially [[bilingual]], with both [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] as official languages. {{As of|2024}}, the majority of the population, {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/native language Finnish|Kokkola}}}} persons ({{Percentage|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Finnish|Kokkola}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kokkola}}|1}}), spoke Finnish as their first language. The number of [[Swedish-speaking population of Finland|Swedish speakers]] was {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/native language Swedish|Kokkola }}}} persons ({{Percentage|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Swedish|Kokkola}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kokkola}}|1}}) of the population. Foreign languages were spoken by {{Formatnum: {{Percentage|{{Data Finland municipality/native language other|Kokkola}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kokkola}}|1}}}} of the population.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> As [[English language|English]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] - or Finnish for Swedish speakers - are compulsory school subjects, functional bilingualism or trilingualism acquired through language studies is not uncommon.

Kokkola marks the northernmost settlement area of the [[Finland Swedish|Swedish-speakers]] (Fenno-Swedish) on the western coast of Finland. The Swedish-speaking inhabitants of Kokkola are spread unevenly around Kokkola: Whereas the centre of the city is bilingual, the majority of the villages around Kokkola mostly speak Swedish. The districts which were consolidated in 2009 are, however, pure Finnish-speaking areas.

At least 30 different languages are spoken in Kokkola. The most common foreign languages are [[Russian language|Russian]] (0.7%), [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] (0.6%), [[English language|English]] (0.4%) and [[Arabic]] (0.4%).<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>

=== Immigration ===

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right;" 
|colspan="3"|'''Population by country of birth (2024)'''<ref name="Stat-finland-population-38,000-persons"/>
|-\
! Nationality || Population || %
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || 45,358 || 93.8
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || 426 || 0.9
|-
|{{flag|Soviet Union}} || 341 || 0.7
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}} || 179 || 0.4
|-
|{{flag|Thailand}} || 144 || 0.3
|-
|{{flag|China}} || 126 || 0.3
|-
|{{flag|Nepal}} || 115 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Bangladesh}} || 113 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Russia}} || 95 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Vietnam}} || 80 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Nigeria}} || 78 || 0.2
|- 
|Other || 1,312 || 2.7
|- 
|}
{{As of|2024}}, there were 2,485 persons with a foreign background living in Kokkola, or 6% of the population.{{refn|Statistics Finland classifies a person as having a "foreign background" if both parents or the only known parent were born abroad.<ref name="statistics-finland-persons-with-foreign-background">{{cite web |access-date=18 September 2023 |title=Persons with foreign background |publisher=Statistics Finland |url=https://www.stat.fi/tup/maahanmuutto/maahanmuuttajat-vaestossa/ulkomaalaistaustaiset_en.html |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105084300/https://www.stat.fi/tup/maahanmuutto/maahanmuuttajat-vaestossa/ulkomaalaistaustaiset_en.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>|group=note}} The number of residents who were born abroad was 3,009, or 6% of the population. The number of persons with foreign citizenship living in Kokkola was 1,982. Most foreign-born citizens came from [[Sweden]], the former [[Soviet Union]], [[Ukraine]] and [[Thailand]].<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>

The relative share of immigrants in Kokkola's population is below the national average. However, the city's new residents are increasingly of foreign origin. This will increase the proportion of foreign residents in the coming years.

=== Religion ===
In 2023, the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Evangelical Lutheran Church]] was the largest religious group with 72.5% of the population of Kokkola. Other religious groups accounted for 2.1% of the population. 25.4% of the population had no religious affiliation.<ref>[https://pxdata.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/en/StatFin/StatFin__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11ra.px Key figures on population by region, 1990-2023] Statistics Finland</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Kokkola AWT.jpg|thumb|All weather terminal (AWT) of the [[Port of Kokkola]]]]
Kokkola is the capital and biggest city in the region of [[Central Ostrobothnia]]. The [[chemical industry]] is a major employer. An industrial area and the city's port are located in Ykspihlaja. [[Umicore]] has a [[cobalt]] plant. The Freeport/Umicore refinery is the only large cobalt refinery outside China.<ref name=freeumi/> [[Boliden AB|Boliden]] has a [[zinc]] plant. [[Kemira]], a chemical conglomerate, built an industrial park that is now divided among several corporations. In addition, industries represented in the town include metalworking, casting, textiles, plastics, food and carpentry. Largest employers are as follows (2011):
* The city of Kokkola approx. 2.350
* Central Ostrobothnian Joint Municipal Authority for Social and Health Services (Soite) 2.500
* Boliden Kokkola Oy (zinc) 500
* [[Umicore]] (was Freeport Cobalt Oy until 2019)<ref name=freeumi>{{cite web |title=Umicore completes US$203 million Kokkola acquisition |url=https://www.mining-journal.com/m-amp-a/news/1376945/umicore-completes-ususd203-million-kokkola-acquisition |website=www.mining-journal.com |language=en |date=2 December 2019}}</ref> (cobalt) 420
* [[S-Group|KPO]] group (retail) 400
* Halpa-Halli (retail) 300
* [[KemFine|CABB Oy]] (fine chemicals) 200

The [[Port of Kokkola]] is located in Ykspihlaja, approximately {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=on}} from the city center, and it is one of the busiest ports in Finland. Oil, ore and limestone are imported, refined products and timber are exported, and iron ore is transited.

The [[Chydenia Shopping Center]], completed in 2006, is located in the center of Kokkola;<ref>[https://trevian.fi/fi/chydenia/ Chydenia] – Trevian (in Finnish)</ref> about 2 million people visit at the shopping center every year.<ref>[https://www.kauppakeskusyhdistys.fi/media/kauppakeskusyhdistys_julkaisu2021_9.pdf Kauppakeskukset] – Kauppakeskusyhdistys ry (in Finnish)</ref>

== Transport ==
{{stack|[[File:Tk3 1159.jpg|thumb|Steam locomotive [[VR Class Tk3]] 1105 at Kokkola]]}}
Kokkola is located on the coast of [[Gulf of Bothnia]], and the coastal [[European route E8]] (Finnish highway 8) goes through, connecting [[Oulu]] and [[Turku]] via [[Vaasa]]. Finnish highway 28 begins from Kokkola and runs to [[Kajaani]]. Finnish highway 13 begins from Kokkola and runs through Finland into the [[Nuijamaa]] border to [[Russia]] crossing via [[Jyväskylä]] and [[Mikkeli]]. The scenic '7 Bridges Archipelago Road' (road 749) runs along the coast between Kokkola and [[Jakobstad]] ({{langx|fi|Pietarsaari}}). 

[[Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport]] is situated {{convert|22|km}} from Kokkola in [[Kronoby]]. 

The [[Kokkola railway station]] is a stop along the [[Seinäjoki–Oulu railway]], with service between Helsinki and [[Kemijärvi]] via [[Tampere]] and [[Seinäjoki]], where the fast [[Pendolino]] bullet train operates. 

There is no passenger ferry traffic from Kokkola.

== Politics ==
Results of the [[2021 Finnish municipal elections]] in Kokkola:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Party  !! Seats
|-
|[[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]]           || 10
|-
|[[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]]      || 8
|-
|[[True Finns]]      || 7
|-
|[[National Coalition Party]]      || 6
|-
|[[Swedish People's Party]]      || 4
|-
|[[Christian Democrats (Finland)|Christian Democrats]]      || 4
|-
|[[Left Alliance (Finland)|Left Alliance]]      || 2
|-
|[[Green League]]      || 2
|}

== Culture and sights ==
[[File:Anders Chydenius statue.jpg|thumb|Statue of [[Anders Chydenius]] (1729–1803) in Kokkola, made by sculptor [[Walter Runeberg]] (1838–1920).]]
The city is the home of the world-renowned [[Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra]], which was founded by the [[conducting|conductor]] Juha Kangas in 1972.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

=== Buildings ===

The area of old wooden houses in the downtown area of [[Neristan]] has been the setting for the life and livelihood of its inhabitants for hundreds of years. Today these houses are offering restaurants, cafés, little shops and even accommodation for tourists. With its old charm it invites visitors to discover Neristan step by step.

Tankar island, a [[lighthouse]] island, is in the outer [[archipelago]], about {{convert|18|km|0|abbr=on}} northwest from Kokkola. The [[island]] houses a [[Tankar Lighthouse|lighthouse]] which is still in use today, a museum of seal-hunting, a bird-watching tower, a lot of nature trails and even accommodations for tourists. It is easy to reach the island by ferry m/s Jenny from Kokkola.

The stone [[Evangelical-Lutheran]] [[Church of Kaarlela]] has been a landmark since 1550 and is a popular venue for weddings and concerts. Next to the church, there is a local history museum at Kirkonmäki with an Ostrobothnian farmhouse, as well as an old smithy, a tannery, a wool-carding workshop, a threshing barn, a smoke sauna, a granary barn and a loft.

K.H.Renlund Museum is devoted to [[Karl Herman Renlund]], who donated his large art collection to the town of Kokkola. The museum houses some temporary exhibitions and the museum shop. Next to the museum is the Pedagogio, a school-house, which is Finland's oldest urban secular wooden building (built in 1696). In this quarter, there is also the Lassander House which offers a glimpse into a merchant home in the 18th century.

=== Sport ===
[[File:Kokkolan keskuskenttä.jpg|thumb|Kokkola sports field]]
During the winter time, Kokkola offers 20 skiing tracks with a total length of {{convert|150|km|0|abbr=on}}. Kokkola is the home of the [[ice hockey]]club [[Kokkolan Hermes|Hermes]], which plays in the second highest Finnish league ([[mestis]]). Moreover, there are the soccer clubs [[Kokkolan Palloveikot]] (KPV), which plays in the second highest Finnish league ([[Ykkönen]]) and [[Gamlakarleby Bollklubb]] (GBK), which plays in the third highest Finnish league ([[Kakkonen]]). Kokkola's volleyball team [[Kokkolan Tiikerit]] is active in the highest Finnish volleyball league and current Finnish champions for men ([[Lentopallon Mestaruusliiga]]). Sailing clubs include [[Gamlakarleby Segelförening]], [[Kokkolan Purjehtijat]] and [[Kokkolan venekerho]]. There is also an american football team [[Karleby Goats]], which plays in the third highest Finnish american football league ([[Amerikkalaisen jalkapallon II-divisioona]]).

== Education ==
[[File:Centria Kokkola.jpg|thumb|[[Centria University of Applied Sciences]]]]
Kokkola has a lot of [[preschool]]s, some of them offer children a bilingual education from an early age (mostly Finnish-English or Finnish-Swedish). There are 25 Finnish-speaking and 8 Swedish-speaking schools. Moreover, there are three secondary schools for Finnish-speaking pupils and one for Swedish-speaking. Some schools offer a [[Dual education system|dual]] [[vocational education]] and training. The [[Chydenius-Institution of Kokkola]], a [[university]] [[consortium]], carries out teaching and research under the auspices of the universities of Jyväskylä, Oulu and Vaasa. It is specialized in adult education. For Finnish and foreign students it arranges open university studies, further education for professionals in the fields of [[education]], [[social services]] and [[health service]]s and [[management]]. [[Centria University of Applied Sciences]] [Finnish name: ''Centria ammattikorkeakoulu''] is also situated in Kokkola having its other partition in Ylivieska and Jakobstad is an international institute offering three different bachelor's degree program in English language along with Finnish.

==Notable people==
* [[Anders Chydenius]] (1729–1803), Lutheran priest and member of the Swedish [[Riksdag]]
* [[Otto Donner]] (1835–1909), linguist, professor and politician
* [[Juho Kuosmanen]] (born 1979), film director and screenwriter
* [[Joonas Sammalmaa]] (born 1991), professional ice hockey player

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Finland}}

===Twin towns – Sister cities===
Kokkola is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with 15 cities:<ref name=sister>{{cite web|title=Kokkola's twin cities|url=http://www.kokkola.fi/kokkola_tietoa/yleistietoa_kaupungista/ystavyyskaupungit/en_GB/ystavyyskaupungit/|website=kokkola.fi|publisher=Kokkola|access-date=7 June 2014|archive-date=12 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112191818/http://www.kokkola.fi/kokkola_tietoa/yleistietoa_kaupungista/ystavyyskaupungit/en_GB/ystavyyskaupungit/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Härnösand Municipality|Härnösand]], Sweden  
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Mörbylånga Municipality|Mörbylånga]], Sweden  
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Ullånger]], Sweden  
*{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Averøy Municipality|Averøy]], Norway
*{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Kristiansund Municipality|Kristiansund]], Norway
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Fredericia]], Denmark  
*{{flagicon|EST}} [[Ambla]], Estonia
*{{flagicon|EST}} [[Järva-Jaani]], Estonia
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Marijampolė]], Lithuania
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Boldog (Hungary)|Boldog]], Hungary
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Hatvan]], Hungary
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Ratingen]], Germany
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fitchburg, Massachusetts|Fitchburg]], United States  
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Greater Sudbury]], Canada  
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Fushun]], China

==See also==
*[[Nykarleby]]
*[[Såka]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Kokkola}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline|Kokkola}}
* [https://www.kokkola.fi/en/ Official '''City of Kokkola''' website]
* [https://www.portofkokkola.fi/ Port of Kokkola]

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Kokkola
 | NE = [[Kalajoki]] ([[North Ostrobothnia]])
 | E  = [[Kannus]]<br/>[[Toholampi]]
 | SE = [[Halsua]], [[Lestijärvi]]
 | S  = [[Kronoby]] ([[Ostrobothnia (administrative region)|Ostrobothnia]]), [[Kaustinen]]
 | W  = [[Larsmo]] ([[Ostrobothnia (administrative region)|Ostrobothnia]])
 | NW = ''[[Bothnian Bay]]''
}}
{{CentralOstrobothnia}}
{{50 most populous Finnish municipalities}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kokkola| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Finland]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Finland]]
[[Category:Grand Duchy of Finland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1620]]
[[Category:1620 establishments in Sweden]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Central Ostrobothnia]]