paikkakuntatiedot

Paikkakuntatiedot is a term used to describe the set of information that identifies and characterizes localities within a country. In practice, it refers to data about places such as towns, municipalities, or official locality centers that are used for administrative, statistical, and service-delivery purposes. The concept encompasses a range of attributes that help distinguish one locality from another and place it within larger geographic and political structures.

A typical paikkakuntatiedot dataset includes elements such as the official name, alternative names, the municipality or region to which the locality belongs, country, geographic coordinates, postal codes, population figures, land area, and sometimes language status or official languages. Many systems also maintain codes or identifiers drawn from national databases to ensure consistent reference across government agencies, businesses, and public services. The distinction between a paikkakunta (locality) and a kunta (municipality) is common in Finland, where the locality name may be used for addressing and mapping even when administrative jurisdiction differs.

Common uses of paikkakuntatiedot include geographic information systems, cartography, urban and regional planning, mail and logistics, emergency response, and statistical reporting. Data are typically maintained by national agencies and updated to reflect administrative changes, such as mergers or boundary adjustments. Limitations can arise from changes in borders, naming, or the inclusion criteria for what constitutes a locality, requiring regular updates to keep the information accurate and interoperable across services.