Leachingissa

Leachingissa is a town and municipality in Nordia, a Nordic coastal region. It lies on the Baltic coast and comprises a small archipelago and mainland shore. The municipality covers 68 square kilometers, of which about 9 percent is inland water. The landscape includes low cliffs, coastal meadows, and forests. The population was 2,900 in 2023, giving a population density of roughly 42 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Leachingissa developed as a fishing village in the late 17th century and received town rights in 1865. The name comes from a local dialect term for a sheltered cove. The town experienced steady growth in the 19th and 20th centuries, aided by improved transport links and tourism.

The economy centers on fishing, forestry, small manufacturing, and services for residents and visitors. There is a small shipyard and a regional health center. The town is connected by regional roads; the nearest railway station is in the nearby town of Kiviharju, about 15 kilometers away.

Administration is by a municipal council elected for four-year terms; the mayor in 2024 is Aino Korhonen. Public services include a library, a primary school, and a secondary school in the neighboring district.

Cultural life centers on the annual midsummer festival and a summer crafts market. Notable sites include Leachingin Church (built 1759), the Leachingissa Museum, and a light keeper’s house from the 19th century. Notable residents include writer Satu Laine.