Siirtokunta

Siirtokunta is a Finnish term for a settlement established by a group that has moved from their homeland to a new territory, in connection with colonization, exploration, or large-scale emigration. The concept is used in historical writing to describe the creation of communities outside the original country, which can be urban or rural in the new territory.

In Finland's historiography, the term has been used to discuss Finnish emigration and the communities they formed in North America and other regions, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These siirtokunnat often functioned as cultural and economic hubs, preserving language and customs while integrating into the host society.

The notion is also applicable to earlier or alternative colonization efforts by other states or groups, including missionary settlements or trading posts that developed into lasting communities. The term emphasizes the migratory and organizational aspects of establishing a population outside the original homeland, rather than merely moving individuals.

See also: colony, settler colony, emigration, diaspora.