ulkokehän

Ulkokehän is a fictional municipality designed to illustrate a typical rural Finnish-speaking locality. It is described as situated in a boreal landscape with mixed forests and several small lakes, covering about 120 square kilometers. The population is around 3,200, yielding a low population density. The climate is subarctic, with cold winters and mild summers.

The settlement originated in the 19th century as a forestry community centered on sawmills. It diversified in the 20th century toward small-scale agriculture and service-sector jobs and has more recently developed as a region for nature tourism and crafts.

Governance is by a locally elected municipal council and a mayor. Ulkokehän is part of a larger regional council that coordinates health care, education, transportation, and environmental management. Local services are primarily Finnish-language, with bilingual arrangements where necessary.

Economy centers on forestry, woodworking, and tourism. Notable features include a wooden church, a lakeside promenade, and preserved historic mills. The transport network relies on regional roads connecting to a national artery; public transport is modest, with regular bus services.

Culture and recreation: Ulkokehän hosts midsummer celebrations, winter markets, and nature-conservation days. A network of hiking and cross-country ski trails links to neighboring communities, attracting visitors in the shoulder seasons.