Etaalueella

Etaalueella is a rural municipality in the interior region of Nordland. It has a population of around 3,900 and covers about 210 square kilometers, of which roughly 36 percent is water. The municipal seat is the village of Lämpölahti. The area is characterized by boreal forests, glacial lakes, and extensive wetlands, making forestry and peat extraction historically important.

The municipality originated as a rural parish in the 18th century and gained municipal status in 1867. A late-20th-century reform refined municipal borders, stabilizing the current composition. The economy remains centered on forestry and wood processing, with agriculture and rural tourism providing supplementary activity. An industrial park hosts several wood-products companies, and public services employ a significant share of residents.

Demographics and services: Etaalueella has an aging population with a low population density. Finnish is the dominant language, with small numbers speaking regional dialects. Education is provided by a primary school in Lämpölahti; secondary schooling and higher education typically require travel to neighboring municipalities.

Culture and nature: The area hosts annual harvest and midsummer events and preserves several nature reserves and hiking trails around Lake Sähköjärvi and the Saarni Valley. Notable landmarks include a 19th-century Orthodox chapel and a wooden windmill museum.

Transportation: Access relies on regional roads; the nearest rail link is about 25 kilometers away, with bus connections to the municipal center. The locality emphasizes sustainable forestry and nature-based tourism.