Turku

Turku ({{IPA2|ˈturku}}, Swedish: {{Audio|sv-Åbo.ogg|Åbo}}), founded in the 13th century, is the oldest and fifth largest city in Finland, with a population of 174,824 (as of 2004). Located at the mouth of the Aura river in the southwest of the country, it is the capital city of both the region of Finland Proper and the province of Western Finland, as well as being the centre of the country's third largest urban area, with around 300,000 inhabitants. Turku has one of the largest Finland-Swedish population in the country. The Finnish word for the inhabitants of Turku is turkulaiset (singular: turkulainen). Due to its location, the Port of Turku is considered one of the most important seaports in Finland.

Economy

Turku is the central economic hub of southwestern Finland, and the capital of the Turku economic district. As of 2003, the district's per capita income was 24,022 euros, significantly higher than the national average of ?23,780. {{inote|see :fi:Turku at the Finnish Wikipedia|fi:Turku}}

Related Topics:
Economic district - As of 2003 - Per capita income - Euro - :fi:Turku

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The city's economy is centred around the Port of Turku and other service-oriented industries. 86 per cent of the city's workforce are employed in the services sector. The city is also a renowned high-tech centre — the Turku Science Park area in Kupittaa hosts over 300 companies from the fields of biotechnology and information technology, as well as several institutions of higher learning that work in closely with the business sector. This cooperative element is seen as a particularly important factor with regards to the city's expected future economic development, as outlined in the Turku Strategy that is published annually by the city council. Turku, with its good transportation network and close proximity to the Archipelago Sea, is also an important centre for tourism, frequently hosting various conventions and exhibitions.

Related Topics:
Workforce - Services sector - High-tech - Turku Science Park - Biotechnology - Information technology - Archipelago Sea

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As of 2004, the city's unemployment rate is 13.1%, well above the national average of 8.9%. The problem of unemployment is particularly troublesome in the districts of Pansio, Lauste, and Varissuo, where it hovers at around 23%. {{inote|see Turun kaupungin tilastollinen vuosikirja, 2005|stat yearbook '05}}

Related Topics:
Unemployment - Pansio - Lauste

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The city collects an 18 per cent income tax (council tax) from its inhabitants, in addition to the progressively graduated taxation practised by the Finnish state. The total amount received through council tax in 2004 was projected at ?400 million, a reduction of 1.0 per cent from the previous year. Taxes collected from corporations amounted to ?39 million in 2004. {{inote|see Talousarvio 2005|Talousarvio}}

Related Topics:
Income tax - Council tax - Corporation

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See also: Economy of Finland

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