View source for Imatra

{{Short description|City in southeastern Finland}}
{{For|the former cinema|Imatra (cinema)}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Imatra
| official_name = {{lang|fi|Imatran kaupunki}}<br />{{lang|sv|Imatra stad}}
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = File:Imatrankoski_Valtionhotelli_ilma.jpg
| image_caption = Imatran Valtionhotelli
| image_shield = Imatra.vaakuna.svg
| shield_size = 120x80px
| image_map = Imatra sijainti Suomi.svg
|coordinates = {{coord|61|11|N|028|46|E|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Finland}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Finland|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[South Karelia]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Sub-regions of Finland|Sub-region]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Imatra sub-region|Imatra]]
| leader_title = [[City manager]]
| leader_name = Matias Hildén
| established_title = [[Charter]]
| established_date = 1948
|area_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|area_footnotes|Imatra}}
|area_total_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_total_km2|Imatra}}
|area_land_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_land_km2|Imatra}}
|area_water_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_water_km2|Imatra}}
|area_rank = {{Data Finland municipality|area_rank|Imatra}}
|population_as_of = {{Data Finland municipality|population_as_of|Imatra}}
|population_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|population_footnotes|Imatra}}
|population_total = {{Data Finland municipality|population_total|Imatra}}
|population_density_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|population_density_km2|Imatra}}
|population_rank = {{Data Finland municipality|population_rank|Imatra}}
|demographics_type1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type1|Imatra}}
|demographics1_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_footnotes|Imatra}}
|demographics1_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title1|Imatra}}
|demographics1_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info1|Imatra}}
|demographics1_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title2|Imatra}}
|demographics1_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info2|Imatra}}
|demographics1_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title3|Imatra}}
|demographics1_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info3|Imatra}}
|demographics1_title4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title4|Imatra}}
|demographics1_info4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info4|Imatra}}
|demographics_type2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type2|Imatra}}
|demographics2_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_footnotes|Imatra}}
|demographics2_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title1|Imatra}}
|demographics2_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info1|Imatra}}
|demographics2_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title2|Imatra}}
|demographics2_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info2|Imatra}}
|demographics2_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title3|Imatra}}
|demographics2_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info3|Imatra}}
|blank_name = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_name|Imatra}}
|blank_info = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_info|Imatra}}
| blank3_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank3_info = [[Subarctic climate|Dfc]]
|timezone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
|utc_offset = +02:00
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +03:00
| website = {{Url|https://www.imatra.fi/en/}}
}}

'''Imatra''' is a [[city]] in [[Finland]], located in the southeastern interior of the country. Imatra is located in the region of [[South Karelia]], on [[Saima|Lake Saimaa]] and the [[River Vuoksi]]. The population of Imatra is approximately {{formatnum:{{#expr:{{Data Finland municipality/population count|Imatra}}round -3}}}}, while the [[Imatra sub-region|sub-region]] has a population of approximately {{formatnum: {{#expr: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Imatra}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Parikkala}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Rautjärvi}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Ruokolahti}}round -3}}}}. It is the {{ordinal|{{Data Finland municipality/population count sequence|Imatra}}}} most populous [[Municipalities of Finland|municipality]] in Finland.

Imatra lies on the [[Finland–Russia border|border with Russia]]. On the other side of the border, {{convert|7|km|spell=in}} away from the centre of Imatra, lies the Russian town of [[Svetogorsk]]. The city of [[Saint Petersburg|St.&nbsp;Petersburg]] is situated {{convert|210|km|abbr=on}} to the southeast, the Finnish capital [[Helsinki]] is {{convert|230|km|abbr=on}} away and [[Lappeenranta]], the nearest Finnish city, is {{convert|37|km|abbr=on}} away. 

The main employers are the pulp and paper manufacturer [[Stora Enso|Stora Enso Oyj]], the City of Imatra, the engineering steel manufacturer [[Ovako]] Bar Oy Ab and the [[Finnish Border Guard]]. {{as of|2003|October}}, the total number of employees was 12,423.<ref name="imatra">{{cite web|url=http://www.imatra.fi/|title=Imatra|website=Imatra|access-date=24 December 2017}}</ref> {{as of|2004|December}}, 1,868 people were employed by the City of Imatra. The city's nicknames include Imis, Ibiza and Nahkalippis City (leather baseball cap city). Due to its location close to the border, Russian tourists are a common sight in the city, and Russian [[tourism]] is a boon to the local economy. Most people shop in Imatra, and Imatra's [[tax-free shopping|tax-free]] sales are the third largest among Finnish cities (only Helsinki and Lappeenranta are ahead).<ref>Tiilikainen, Tenho: ''[http://www.esaimaalehtiartikkelit.fi/article?id=6678 Tax free -kauppa käy kiivaana] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013011904/http://www.esaimaalehtiartikkelit.fi/article?id=6678 |date=2016-10-13 }}''. ''[[Etelä-Saimaa]]'', 9 December 2006. (in Finnish)</ref>

The name of Imatra is thought to derive from a [[Pre-Finno-Ugric substrate|pre-Finno-Ugric language]]. The lightning symbols on Imatra's coat of arms refer to the power plants that were built in the early 1920s at the Tainionkoski and [[Imatrankoski]] rapids. The [[coat of arms]] was designed by {{ill|Olof Eriksson|fi}} and approved by the Imatra Town Council on 9 August 1950. The [[Ministry of the Interior (Finland)|Ministry of the Interior]] approved the coat of arms for use on 25 October of the same year.<ref>{{cite book | title = Suomen kunnallisvaakunat | publisher = Suomen Kunnallisliitto | year = 1982 | page = 123 | isbn = 951-773-085-3 | language = fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=10276911 | title = Imatran vaakunan vahvistaminen | publisher = Kansallisarkisto | work = Digitaaliarkisto: Heraldica I, vaakunat | access-date = July 26, 2022 | language = fi}}</ref>

==History==
{{unreferencedsect|date=July 2024}}
An Art Nouveau or Jugend style castle, currently known as Imatran Valtionhotelli (Imatra State Hotel), was built near the rapids in 1903 as a hotel for tourists from the Russian Imperial capital [[Saint Petersburg]].

During the [[Continuation War]], [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim#Visit by Adolf Hitler|Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim met with Adolf Hitler]] in secrecy near the town for the former's 75th birthday.

Imatra was founded in 1948 on the territory of three municipalities – [[Jääski]], [[Ruokolahti]] and [[Joutseno]]. Finland ceded 9% of its territory to the Soviet Union after the [[Winter War]]. Jääski lost 85% of its territory and it was decided that a new municipality, Imatra, should be established on the remaining 15% of Jääski and some areas of Ruokolahti and Joutseno. This is why the Imatra coat of arms has three flashes&nbsp;– in honour of those previous municipalities that granted areas to it. It gained its municipal charter in 1971.

==Sport==
[[File:Imatran uimahalli ja urheilutalo 1.JPG|thumb|Imatra's swimming hall and sports center]]

The men's [[pesäpallo]] club [[Imatran Pallo-Veikot]] competes in the [[Superpesis]] national league, playing at [[Ukonniemi Stadium]].

[[Ice hockey]] club [[Imatran Ketterä]] plays in second-tier [[Mestis]]. Imatra is the birthplace of [[National Hockey League]] players [[Jussi Markkanen]] and [[Petteri Nokelainen]]. 

In [[motorsport]] history, Imatra is best known for its [[road racing|road races]] (former TT-race) from 1963 to 1986. From [[1962 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1962]] to [[1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1982]] it was the home of the [[Finnish motorcycle Grand Prix]]. Racing on the Imatra road circuit ended after fatal accident during the 1986 European Championship event.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://paologozzi.gazzetta.it/en/2015/01/07/english-imatra-finland-love-and-death-in-a-cold-gp-climate/|title=Imatra (Finland): love and death in a cold GP climate|access-date=2017-07-16|language=it}}</ref> Racing resumed in 2016 as an [[:fi:International Road Racing Championship|International Road Racing Championship]] event.

There is an annual indoor rowing race at Imatra, which attracts competitors from across Finland.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.finnrowing.com/kisatuloksia/ | title=Concept FinnRowing Oy Race Results | work=Podium Gym Solutions Oy | date=8 March 2020 | access-date=8 March 2020 | language=fi}}</ref>

==Culture==

The Black & White Theatre has produced more than 20 performances, the movie "Murderer" and organized from 2004 Black & White Theatre Festival in Imatra.<ref>https://blackandwhitetheatre.fi/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=March 2025}}

== Transport ==
[[File:Vt6_Imatra.JPG|thumb|left|National Road 6]]
The [[Finnish national road 6|national road 6]], running from [[Koskenkylä]] in [[Loviisa]] to [[Kajaani]] via [[Kouvola]], [[Lappeenranta]], and [[Joensuu]] passes through Imatra. Also in Imatra is a crossing point over the Russian border, which is also the ending point of [[Finnish primary road 62|primary road 62]] from [[Mikkeli]].

The [[Kouvola–Joensuu railway]] passes through Imatra, and the [[Imatra railway station]] serves both passenger and freight transport. From the rail yard of this station is a fork onto the railway towards [[Kamennogorsk]] via [[Vyborg]]. The planning of the initiation of regular international passenger traffic between Imatra and [[Saint Petersburg]] has stopped due to Russia's war against Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/kannakselle_uusi_junarata_-_venaja_turvaa_suomenlahden_oljysatamien_kuljetukset/7356559|title = Kannakselle uusi junarata - Venäjä turvaa Suomenlahden öljysatamien kuljetukset| date=25 July 2014 }}</ref>

The closest airport to Imatra is the [[Lappeenranta Airport]], which is used by [[Ryanair]] on several routes as well as irregular passenger flights to the [[Canary Islands]] and cargo flights to Russia. The [[Immola Airfield]] is also present, serving the [[Finnish Border Guard]] as well as hobbyist aviation activities.

== Notable people ==
* [[Marlo Koponen]], ice hockey player
* [[Jarmo Koski]], actor
* [[Arvo Kyllönen]], wrestler
* [[Jussi Markkanen]], ice hockey player
* [[Petteri Nokelainen]], ice hockey player
* [[Lilli Paasikivi]], artistic director
* [[Jouni Pellinen]], skier
* [[Jarmo Sandelin]], professional golfer
* [[Anneli Taina]], politician
* [[Taiska]], singer

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Finland}}

Sister cities:
* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Ludvika Municipality|Ludvika]], [[Sweden]] 
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Salzgitter]], [[Germany]] 
* {{flagicon|SVK}} [[Zvolen]], [[Slovakia]] 
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Tikhvin]], [[Russia]] (frozen since 2022 due to Russia attacking Ukraine) 
* {{flagicon|HUN}} [[Szigetvár]], [[Hungary]] 
* {{flagicon|EST}} [[Narva-Jõesuu]], [[Estonia]]
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiaxing]], [[China]]


Sister cities:
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Beihai]], [[China]]


Co-operation cities:
* {{flagicon|UKR}} [[Nizhyn]], [[Ukraine]]

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Imatran kaupungintalo 3.JPG|Imatra Town Hall
File:Vuksi_River_,_Island_-_panoramio.jpg|[[Vuoksi|Vuoksi River]]
File:Imatrankosken_kuohuja.jpg|[[Imatrankoski]] hydroelectric power plant
File:Imatrankoski_2017_15.jpg|Nature around Imatrankoski
File:Imatrankosken_ratapiha.JPG|Imatrankoski rail yard 
File:South_Karelia,_Finland_-_panoramio_(9).jpg|Imatra in winter
File:Imatran_kylpylä.jpg|Lake [[Saimaa]] and Imatra Spa Hotel
File:Imatra - Pehr Adolf Kruskopf - Finland framställdt i teckningar - 64.jpg|Illustration of Imatra in [[Finland framstäldt i teckningar]] edited by [[Zacharias Topelius]] and published 1845-1852.
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Imatra shooting]]
* [[Svetogorsk]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline}}
*[https://www.imatra.fi/en/ City of Imatra] – Official site
*[https://gosaimaa.com/ goSaimaa.com – Travel information about Imatra]

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Imatra
 | NE = [[Ruokolahti]]
 | SE = {{Flagicon|RUS}} {{Ill|Svetogorskoye Settlement Municipal Formation|lt=Svetogorskoye|ru|Светогорское городское поселение}}
 | SW = [[Lappeenranta]]
 | NW = [[Ruokolahti]]
}}
{{SouthKarelia}}
{{50 most populous Finnish municipalities}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Imatra| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Finland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1948]]
[[Category:Finland–Russia border crossings]]