ydästä

Ydästä is a small municipality in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia in Finland. It covers an area of 332 square kilometres, of which 112 square kilometres are water bodies. 1,310 residents were recorded in 2023, giving a population density of 3.9 per square kilometre. The community was founded in 1865 when the Finnish Railway Company extended a line along the northern shore of Lake Vanajavesi. The municipality was named after the historic Yda estate that preceded the settlement, the name being derived from the archaic Finnish word “yda”, meaning “hollow” in relation to the valley formed by the Muastejoki river.

The local economy is traditionally based on forestry, small‑scale farming and saw mills, but tourism has grown in recent years due to the scenic lake scenery and the annual Ydästä Music Festival that celebrates folk songs of the region. Public services include a primary school, a health clinic and a community library that hosts exhibitions on local genealogy. Ydästä is connected by the regional highway 186 and a local bus line that links it to the larger towns of Ylöjärvi and Petäjävi. Predominantly Finnish‑speaking, the municipality also celebrates Swedish cultural events, reflecting Finland’s bilingual heritage.