Southern Finland was a province of Finland from 1997 to 2009. It bordered the provinces of Western Finland and Eastern Finland. It also bordered the Gulf of Finland and Russia.

History

On September 1, 1997 the Uusimaa Province, the Kymi Province and the southern parts of the Häme Province were joined to form the new Southern Finland Province. All the provinces of Finland were abolished on January 1, 2010.

Administration

The State Provincial Office was a joint regional authority of seven different ministries. It promoted national and regional objectives of the State central administration. The State Provincial Office of Southern Finland employed about 380 persons. Its service offices were located in the cities of Hämeenlinna, Helsinki, and Kouvola. The administrative seat was placed at Hämeenlinna.

Regions

Southern Finland was divided into six regions:

Municipalities in 2009 (cities in bold)

Southern Finland was divided into 72 municipalities in 2009.

Former municipalities (disestablished before 2009)

Governors

Heraldry

The coat of arms of Southern Finland was composed of the arms of Tavastia, Karelia and Uusimaa.