Vakka-Suomi

Vakka-Suomi sub-region
Vakka-Suomen seutukunta
Country Finland
RegionSouthwest Finland
CapitalUusikaupunki
Population
 • Total
30,079
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

Vakka-Suomi is a sub-region within the Southwest Finland region. It consists of the town of Uusikaupunki and its surrounding municipalities of Kustavi, Laitila, Mietoinen, Mynämäki, Pyhäranta, Taivassalo and Vehmaa. This sub-region is in name only, without official government. The composition of the area is disputable, as communities within it have been and are merged into each other, even into ones that are not seen to belong into Vakka-Suomi. For example, Kalanti and Lokalahti are no longer their own municipalities, but a part of Uusikaupunki.

The name of the region originates from the 19th century, when a significant export of the region was vakkas. A vakka is a commonly a lightweight container made out of wood, generally carryable by two hands. A vakka usually has a flat bottom and a round shape. It has an easily fitting lid that has a locking mechanism and is commonly without hinges.

Municipalities

Coat of
arms
Municipality Population Land area
(km2)
Density
(/km2)
Finnish
speakers
Swedish
speakers
Other
speakers
Kustavi 952 166 6 95 % 2 % 5 %
Laitila 8,488 532 16 87 % 0 % 13 %
Pyhäranta 1,926 144 13 96 % 1 % 3 %
Taivassalo 1,704 140 12 91 % 1 % 8 %
Uusikaupunki 14,764 503 29 91 % 0 % 9 %
Vehmaa 2,245 189 12 93 % 1 % 7 %
Total 30,079 1,674 18 90 % 0 % 9 %