View source for Kuopio

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Kuopio
| official_name      = {{lang|fi|Kuopion kaupunki}}{{br}}{{lang|sv|Kuopio stad}}<br />{{lang|en|City of Kuopio}}
| nickname           = Promised Land of [[Kalakukko]]<ref name="kirjakaari">{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/kirjakaari/docs/kuopio-region-en|title=Kuopio Region – Unexpected encounters by Kirjakaari - Issuu|website=Issuu.com|date=26 February 2016|access-date=30 June 2022}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="demonurkka">{{Cite web|url=https://kaaoszine.fi/demonurkka-vol-52-vk-62017/|title=Demonurkka vol. 52 (vk 6/2017)|website=Kaaoszine.fi|date=12 February 2017|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = Kuopio Montage.jpg
| image_caption      = Clockwise from top-left: the cityscape of the center, the [[Puijo tower|Puijo Tower]], the [[Kuopio Market Hall]], the [[Kuopio Marina]], the [[Kuopio Governor Palace|Governor Palace]], the [[Väinölänniemi]] Beach, the [[MicroTower|Technopolis MicroTower]], and the [[Kuopio City Hall]].
| image_shield       = Kuopio.vaakuna.svg
| shield_size        = 120x80px
| image_map          = Kuopio sijainti Suomi.svg
| coordinates        = {{coord|62|53|33|N|27|40|42|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Finland]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Finland|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[North Savo]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Sub-regions of Finland|Sub-region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Kuopio sub-region|Kuopio]]
| leader_title       = [[City manager]]
| leader_name        = Soile Lahti
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1653
| established_title2 = [[Charter]]
| established_date2  = 17 November 1775
| area_footnotes     = {{Data Finland municipality|area_footnotes|Kuopio}}
| area_total_km2     = {{Data Finland municipality|area_total_km2|Kuopio}}
| area_land_km2      = {{Data Finland municipality|area_land_km2|Kuopio}}
| area_water_km2     = {{Data Finland municipality|area_water_km2|Kuopio}}
| area_rank          = {{Data Finland municipality|area_rank|Kuopio}}
| population_as_of   = {{Data Finland municipality|population_as_of|Kuopio}}
| population_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|population_footnotes|Kuopio}}
| population_total   = {{Data Finland municipality|population_total|Kuopio}}
| population_density_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|population_density_km2|Kuopio}}
| population_rank    = {{Data Finland municipality|population_rank|Kuopio}}
| population_demonym = {{lang|fi|kuopiolainen}} ([[Finnish language|Finnish]])
| demographics_type1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type1|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_footnotes|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title1|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info1|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title2|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info2|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title3|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info3|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_title4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title4|Kuopio}}
| demographics1_info4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info4|Kuopio}}
| demographics_type2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type2|Kuopio}}
| demographics2_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_footnotes|Kuopio}}
| demographics2_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title1|Kuopio}}
| demographics2_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info1|Kuopio}}
| demographics2_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title2|Kuopio}}
| demographics2_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info2|Kuopio}}
| demographics2_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title3|Kuopio}}
| demographics2_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info3|Kuopio}}
| blank_name         = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_name|Kuopio}}
| blank_info         = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_info|Kuopio}}
| timezone           = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset         = +02:00
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +03:00
| postal_code_type   = Postal code
| postal_code        = FI-70101
| website            = {{Url|https://www.kuopio.fi/en/}}
}}
'''Kuopio''' ({{IPAc-en|k|u|ˈ|oʊ|p|i|oʊ}} {{respell|koo|OH|pee|oh}},<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Kuopio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826235710/https://www.dictionary.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2022-08-26 |title=Kuopio |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPA|fi|ˈkuo̯pio|lang|fi-Kuopio.ogg}}) is a [[city]] in [[Finland]] and the regional capital of [[North Savo]]. It is located in the [[Finnish Lakeland]]. The population of Kuopio is approximately {{formatnum:{{#expr:{{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kuopio}}round -3}}}}, while the [[Kuopio sub-region|sub-region]] has a population of approximately {{formatnum: {{#expr: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kuopio}} + {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Siilinjärvi}}round -3}}}}. It is the {{ordinal|{{Data Finland municipality/population count sequence|Kuopio}}}} most populous [[Municipalities of Finland|municipality]] in Finland, and the seventh most populous [[List of urban areas in Finland by population|urban area]] in the country.

Kuopio has a total area of {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/total area|Kuopio}}|km2}}, of which {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/waters area|Kuopio}}|km2|abbr=on}} is water<ref name="total_area" /> and half is forest. Although the city's [[population density|population]] is spread over {{convert|{{#expr: {{Data Finland municipality/population density|Kuopio}} round 0}}|PD/km2|abbr=on}}, the city's [[urban area]]s are comparatively densely populated (urban area: 1,618 /km²),<ref name="statsf">{{cite web |url= http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/ajk/tiedotteet/v2008/tiedote_001_2008-01-15.html|title= Taajamissa asuu 84 prosenttia väestöstä|access-date=7 January 2009 |publisher= Statistics Finland|date=15 January 2008|quote= Tiheimmin asuttu oli Helsingin keskustaajama, jossa oli 1 690 asukasta maaneliökilometrillä. Seuraavaksi tiheimmin asuttuja olivat Kuopion keskustaajama (1 618 as./maa-km2) |language= fi }}</ref> making Kuopio the second most densely populated city in Finland. At the end of 2018, its urban area had a population of approximately 90,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pxnet2.stat.fi/PXWebPXWeb/pxweb/fi/StatFin/StatFin__vrm__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11s8.px/|title=Väestö 31.12. muuttujina Vuosi, Taajama ja Tiedot|work=Tilastokeskuksen PX-Web tietokannat|access-date=2021-01-13|language=fi}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Together with [[Joensuu]], Kuopio is one of the major urban, economic and cultural centres of [[Eastern Finland]].

Kuopio is nationally known as one of the most important [[education in Finland|study cities]] and centres of attraction and growth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arvopaperi.fi/uutiset/hypo-tassa-ovat-suomen-10-kasvukeskusta/16a9e534-06fd-32e3-977c-adb1727d7bf5|title=Hypo: Tässä ovat Suomen 10 kasvukeskusta|website=Arvopaperi.fi|date=13 January 2016 |access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="reg_cap">{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/kuopio_meni_helsingin_ohi_vetovoimaisuudessa__kaupunginjohtaja_pitkajanteinen_tyo_nakyy/8776947|title=Kuopio meni Helsingin ohi vetovoimaisuudessa – kaupunginjohtaja: "Pitkäjänteinen työ näkyy"|date=30 March 2016|website=Yle.fi|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/paakirjoitukset/art-2000005456294.html|title=Pääkirjoitus &#124; Kuopio onnistui nousemaan Itä-Suomen aluekeskukseksi|date=20 November 2017|website=Hs.fi|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> The city's history has been marked by several [[Municipalities of Finland#Mergers and reform|municipality mergers]] since 1969, as a result of which Kuopio now encompasses much of the countryside; Kuopio's population surpassed 100,000 when the town of [[Nilsiä]] joined the city in early 2013. When [[Maaninka]] joined Kuopio at the beginning of 2015, Kuopio became the largest [[milk]]-producing municipality in Finland and the second largest [[beef]]-producing municipality in Finland. In addition, at the end of the 2010s, Kuopio was characterised by numerous large projects, the largest in the country after the [[Helsinki metropolitan area]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.viikkosavo.fi/tallainen-on-kuopio-kymmenen-vuoden-kuluttua/ |title=Tällainen on Kuopio kymmenen vuoden kuluttua - Viikkosavo |access-date=3 June 2020 |archive-date=11 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911191217/https://www.viikkosavo.fi/tallainen-on-kuopio-kymmenen-vuoden-kuluttua/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kuopio has also become a major [[tourist city]] with the large tourist centre in [[Tahkovuori]]. [[Kuopio Airport]], located in the municipality of Siilinjärvi, is Finland's fifth busiest airport with over 235,000 passengers in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Finavia's Air Traffic Statistics 2010 |pages=7, 9 |location=Vantaa |publisher=Finavia |url=http://www.finavia.fi/files/finavia2/liikennetilastot_pdf/Lentoliikennetilasto_2010.pdf |access-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124205801/http://www.finavia.fi/files/finavia2/liikennetilastot_pdf/Lentoliikennetilasto_2010.pdf |archive-date=24 January 2012 }}</ref>

According to the Kuntarating 2017 survey, Kuopio has the most satisfied residents among the 20 largest cities,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.epsi-finland.org/report/kuntarating-2017/ |title=EPSI finlandKuntarating 2017 - EPSI finland |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610041416/https://www.epsi-finland.org/report/kuntarating-2017/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and according to the 2018 survey, Kuopio is the best city for [[Real estate investing|property investors]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uusisuomi.fi/uutiset/tutkimus-asuntosijoittajan-paras-kaupunki-on-nyt-kuopio-varoitus-kiinnostuksen-lopahtamisesta/bfc0f031-dd48-322b-9cfc-7ab7674d0a47|title=Tutkimus: Asuntosijoittajan paras kaupunki on nyt Kuopio – Varoitus kiinnostuksen lopahtamisesta|first=Maarit|last=Alkula|website=Uusisuomi.fi|date=18 July 2018 |access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> In the ''Kuntien imago 2018'' survey, Kuopio ranks second among Finland's large cities after [[Seinäjoki]] in [[South Ostrobothnia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taloustutkimus.fi/ajankohtaista/uutisia/seinajoella-on-paras-imago.html|title=Seinäjoella on paras imago|website=Taloustutkimus.fi|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> In ''T-media's'' study on the attractiveness and influence of the ten largest cities in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Kuopio is the second most attractive city in Finland, with [[Tampere]] in first place.<ref>[https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-11841741 Kuopio on Suomen toiseksi vetovoimaisin kaupunki, ainoastaan Tampere kiri edelle] – ''[[YLE]]'', 17 March 2021. (in Finnish)</ref><ref>[https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12396201 Kuopio on Suomen toiseksi vetovoimaisin kaupunki] – ''[[YLE]]'', 8 April 2022. (in Finnish)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20024692|title = Tampere listattiin jo kolmatta kertaa Suomen vetovoimaisimmaksi kaupungiksi – muista suurista kaupungeista vain Oulu paransi tulostaan|trans-title=Tampere was listed as the most attractive city in Finland for the third time – of the other big cities, only Oulu improved its result|first=Anu|last=Hurme|work=[[Yle]]|date=29 March 2023|access-date=29 March 2023|language=fi}}</ref>

Kuopio was the [[European Region of Gastronomy]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=European region of gastronomy Kuopio 2020 |url=http://www.tastesavo.fi/en-erg_2020 |website=Tastesavo.fi |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718083701/http://www.tastesavo.fi/en-erg_2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFR1I3Xxti0|title=Kuopio - muutakin kuin kalakukkoa 🐟🐓|date=14 July 2019 |access-date=30 June 2022|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> It is also known as the home of ''[[Kalakukko]]'', a traditional [[Savo (historical province)|Savonian]] food,<ref>The Rough Guide to Finland. Rough Guides, 2010. {{ISBN| 1848362579}}</ref> which is why Kuopio is also known as the "Promised Land of Kalakukko".<ref name="kirjakaari"/><ref name="demonurkka"/>

== Etymology ==
There are several theories regarding the origins of the name "''Kuopio".'' One theory proposes that in the 16th century, a local notable named Kauhanen in [[Tavinsalmi]], a village approximately 32 km to the northwest of the city, changed his name to Skopa. It is possible that this was derived from the Swedish word "''[[wiktionary:skopa|Skopa]]''"'','' as [[Finland under Swedish rule|Finland was under Swedish rule]] at the time and many members of the local [[Finnish nobility]] would adopt [[Swedish language|Swedish]] or Swedish-sounding names. This may explain why the word was [[Linguistic assimilation|pronounced differently]] when rendered in [[colloquial Finnish]]: first as "''Coopia"'' and later "''Cuopio"''. Another explanation is that ''Kuopio'' comes from the Finnish verb "''kuopia"'', meaning "to paw (at)" or "to dig", as when a [[horse]] paws the ground with its [[hoof]]. The final theory, endorsed by the [[Institute for the Languages of Finland|Research Institute for the Languages of Finland]], is that the name "''Kuopio''" originates from ''Prokopij'', the name of a [[Karelian language|Karelian]] man who lived in the [[Middle Ages]] and was said to have migrated from the village of [[Ruokolahti]] in [[South Karelian dialect|Southern Karelia]] to the shores of [[Kallavesi|Lake Kallavesi]] near present-day Kuopio, possibly to establish a [[trading post]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kuopio.fi/net.nsf/TD/091003151756754?OpenDocument|title=Kuopion kaupunki|date=26 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126150207/http://www.kuopio.fi/net.nsf/TD/091003151756754?OpenDocument |access-date=30 June 2022|archive-date=26 January 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| last= Raatikainen| first= Riitta | title= Varkaudesta Puutokseen | journal= [[Savon Sanomat]]| date= December 16, 2007 | number = 344 | page= 38 | language = fi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| author= Pekka Lappalainen | title= Kuopion historia 1 | year = 1982 | pages = 35–36 | publisher= Kustannuskiila | isbn= 951-657-097-6 | language = fi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Kuopio |url=https://www.kuopio.fi/en/city-of-kuopio/organization/history-of-kuopio/ |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=Kuopio |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Heraldry ==
[[File:Kuopio vaakuna 1823.jpg|thumb|upright=0.4|left|Original 1823 drawing of the coat of arms]]
The [[coat of arms]] of Kuopio was designed in 1823 based on a drawing by either the town councilor Karl Hårdh<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.genealogia.fi/genos/55/55_105.htm | title = Karl Mikael Hårdh | work = Genos | publisher = Suomen sukututkimusseura | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070809094555/http://www.genealogia.fi/genos/55/55_105.htm | access-date = 26 March 2021 | archive-date = 9 August 2007 | language = fi }}</ref> or his son, Adolf Hårdh, who was an [[artist]].<ref name="jt">{{cite magazine | author = Professor Jussi T. Lappalainen | title = ''Vanhassa vara parempi?'' | magazine = Savon Sanomat | date = 23 December 2009 | page = 2 | language = fi }}</ref> The coat of arms was approved for use in 1823 by the Kuopio Magistrate in accordance with a [[decree]] of [[Alexander I of Russia]].<ref>Бойко Дм. А. Геральдика Великого Княжества Финляндского. – Запорожье, 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kuopio.fi/net.nsf/TD/200104141631461?OpenDocument | title = Kuopion vaakuna | publisher = City of Kuopio | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071119044550/http://www.kuopio.fi/net.nsf/TD/200104141631461?OpenDocument | access-date = 26 March 2021 | archive-date = 19 November 2007 | language = fi }}</ref> The building depicted in the coat of arms is [[Kuopio Cathedral]] and is often mistaken for [[Kuopio City Hall]], which was only built in 1886.<ref name="jt" />

The current coat of arms was designed by architect Seppo Ruotsalainen and draws inspiration from the original.<ref name="jt"/> The current design was approved by the Kuopio City Council at a meeting on November 25, 1957 and was confirmed by the [[Ministry of the Interior (Finland)|Ministry of the Interior]] on June 12, 1958.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ennen 8.4.1949 annettua kunnanvaakunalakia vahvistetut vaakunat ja vahvistamispäätökset I:10 Kuopio | url = http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=1536948 | work = Kansallisarkiston digitaaliarkisto | access-date = 26 March 2021 | language = fi }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== History ==
In the 1550s, the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Finnish Church]], under the influence of [[Religion in Finland|Protestant]] reformer [[Mikael Agricola]], established [[parish church]] in Kuopionniemi. Governor [[Per Brahe the Younger]] founded the settlement of Kuopio in 1653. However, the official date of the city's founding is November 17, 1775, when King [[Gustav III of Sweden]] ordered the formal establishment of the city as the governmental seat of [[Savolax and Karelia County|Savo-Karjala]] Province (Swedish: ''Savolax och Karelens län'', Finnish: ''Savonlinnan ja Karjalan lääni'').<ref name="BriefHistory">{{cite web |url= https://www.kuopio.fi/web/information-about-kuopio/history-and-basic-data |title= History and basic data |website= Kuopio in Brief |access-date= 2 November 2016 |publisher= City of Kuopio |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161104050751/https://www.kuopio.fi/web/information-about-kuopio/history-and-basic-data |archive-date= 4 November 2016 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

Following the conclusion of the [[Finnish War]] in 1809, which occurred in the context of the broader [[Napoleonic Wars]], Finland would be annexed by the [[Russian Empire]] as an [[Regional autonomy|autonomous]] [[Grand Duchy of Finland|Grand Duchy]]. In the [[19th century]], Eastern Finland would see considerable infrastructural investment and modernization, particularly in the realm of [[Transport|transportation]]. The development of infrastructure would lead to the further economic integration of previously isolated, inland areas, with economic and commercial hubs on the Baltic Coast. Major [[public works]] projects built during this time include the [[Saimaa Canal]] in 1856, which opened up a summer route between [[Saimaa|Lake Saimaa]] and the Baltic Sea, and the [[Savo railway]] in 1889,<ref name="BriefHistory" /> which passed through Kuopio en route to [[Mikkeli]], [[Kouvola]], [[Vyborgsky District, Leningrad Oblast|Vyborg]], and [[Saint Petersburg|St. Petersburg]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Savo Railway Museum |url=https://etelasavonmuseot.fi/en/museums/municipalities-of-southern-savo/pieksamaki/the-savo-railway-museum |access-date=2025-06-17 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Kuopio's original [[train station]] was built the same year and would serve as the city's main rail terminus until 1934, when it was demolished replaced by the [[Kuopio railway station|current Kuopio railway station]].
[[File:Kuopion asema.jpg|thumb|left|Kuopio's old railway station building and passengers in 1910.]]

Following [[World War II]], Kuopio's population would grow significantly due in part to the settlement of [[Karelians|Karelian evacuees]] and a high birth rate. Population growth necessitated the expansion of schools. At the end of the 1940s, support was also provided for [[school transport]]s<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.koulut.kuopio.fi/Koulu125/1947/ELA1947.HTM |title=Kaupungin elämää 1947 |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=27 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227145707/http://www.koulut.kuopio.fi/Koulu125/1947/ELA1947.HTM |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the provision of free [[school meal]]s, expanding a [[Welfare in Finland|welfare]] program that had been active since 1902.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.koulut.kuopio.fi/Koulu125/1872/ka1872.htm |title=Koulun arkea 1872 |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807202537/http://koulut.kuopio.fi/koulu125/1872/ka1872.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the 1960s, the construction of [[Suburb|suburbs]] began with the development of [[Puijonlaakso]]. Since then, Kuopio has seen the further construction and growth of suburban areas. These include Tiihotar (as part of [[Saarijärvi]]) in the 1960s, Saarijärvi, Kelloniemi, and Levänen in the 1970s, and Jynkkä and Neulamäki in the 1980s.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

The city of Kuopio has expanded to encompass several surrounding towns. The municipality of [[Maaninka]] joined the city of Kuopio in 2015, the town of [[Nilsiä]] in 2013, and [[Karttula]]<ref>{{Cite news | title = Karttula sulautuu Kuopioon" & "Karttula ja Kuopio yhteen | work= Myöhänen, Pentti & Manner, Matias & Hartikainen, Jarno; Savon Sanomat | pages = 1 and 3 |date = 1 July 2008 }}</ref> in 2011, [[Vehmersalmi]] in 2005, [[Riistavesi]] in 1973, and [[Kuopion maalaiskunta]] in 1969.<ref name="BriefHistory"/>

== Geography ==
[[File:Kallavesi.png|thumb|left|Kuopio is almost completely surrounded by lake [[Kallavesi]].]]
The city is surrounded by Lake [[Kallavesi]],<ref name="helsinki-times">{{cite web|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/themes/themes/travel/1996-a-city-in-the-heart-of-savo.html|title=A city in the heart of Savo|first=Craig|last=Houston|work=[[Helsinki Times]]|date=19 April 2012|access-date=2 November 2022}}</ref> and several parts of it are built on islands. With an area of {{convert|472.76|km2|sqmi}} Lake Kallavesi is the [[List of lakes of Finland|tenth largest lake]] in Finland. In the wake of the [[Yoldia Sea]], which followed the [[Weichselian glaciation]] and preceded the [[Baltic Sea]], there are ancient beaches up to 140 m above the current sea level, of which the current Lake Kallavesi is 82 m above sea level.<ref>{{cite magazine| last= Katainen |first= Milla| title= Huipulla, vaikka oikeasti joen pohjalla | magazine= Sunnuntaisuomalainen | date= 8 June 2008 | page= 38 | language=fi}}</ref> Kuopio's ample waterfronts and islands are also used in the ''Saaristokaupunki'' (lit. ''Archipelago city'') -project, the biggest residential area currently being built in Finland.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Kuopion korkein asuinkerrostalo nousi harjakorkeuteen | newspaper = Suomen Kiinteistölehti | page = 14 | date = 16 October 2008 | url = http://www.kiinteistolehti.fi/uutiset.php?id=4289 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090224224620/http://www.kiinteistolehti.fi/uutiset.php?id=4289 | archive-date = 24 February 2009}}</ref> Saaristokaupunki will accommodate a total of 14,000 inhabitants in 2015. All houses will be situated no more than {{convert|500|m}} from the nearest lakeshore.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.saaristokaupunki.fi/index.php?id=5|title= Kallaveden syleilyssä|access-date= 7 January 2009|work= Saaristokaupunki|publisher= Kuopio|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090129162820/http://saaristokaupunki.fi/index.php?id=5|archive-date= 29 January 2009|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

[[Kuopio Market Square]] is the undisputed center of the city<ref name="helsinki-times"/> and the city center follows a densely built grid pattern with several parks and narrow gutter streets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/kuopion_rannikaduista_tehdaan_nykyaikaa_mennytta_kunnioittaen/5892052|title=Kuopion rännikaduista tehdään nykyaikaa mennyttä kunnioittaen|date=2 October 2009|website=Yle.fi|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> The environment of the city is quite distinctive; the surface shapes of the waterfront-lined center are so variable that a flat property is a desired rarity.<ref name="asunto">Kuopion kaupungin tekninen virasto: Kuopio 2009 suunnittelee ja rakentaa (2009)</ref> The settlement has spread outside the center of Kuopio according to a dense and sparse finger model that is affordable for [[public transport]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siseministeerium.ee/public/kuopion_1.pdf|title=Kuopion Saaristokaupunki – kasvusuuntana täydennysrakentaminen|website=Siseministeerium.ee|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-date=20 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720131020/http://www.siseministeerium.ee/public/kuopion_1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the new districts have been built in a municipal drive at once; for example, the Saaristokaupunki was banned for building for the previous 25 years,<ref name="kaavo">[http://lehti.kuntatekniikka.fi/download/?f=157379&m=33768&a=82320&c=4941&x=0] {{dead link|date=June 2022}}</ref> and this Kuopio zoning tradition has a long history.<ref name="kaavo"/> Due to the above-mentioned factors, the [[population density]] of the Kuopio city center is the highest in Finland.<ref>Leo Kosonen: Kuopio 2015: Jalankulku-, joukkoliikenne- ja autokaupunki. Ympäristöministeriö, 2007. {{ISBN|978-952-11-2852-3}}</ref>

With the surrounding lakes, the [[shoreline]] in Kuopio is 4,760 kilometers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kuopio.fi/web/kaupunkitietoa/kuopio-esittely|title=Kuopio-esittely - Kuopion kaupunki|date=7 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107212847/https://www.kuopio.fi/web/kaupunkitietoa/kuopio-esittely |access-date=30 June 2022|archive-date=7 January 2015 }}</ref> The terrain is also characterized by rich forests, and the clear center of the Kuopio's lund forest is mainly located in the area between Kuopio, [[Nilsiä]] and [[Siilinjärvi]].<ref>{{cite book | title= Pohjois-Savon metsä- ja ympäristökertomus 2007 | year= 2008| page= 9| publisher= Metsäkeskus| language= fi }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.savonsanomat.fi/mielipide/mielipidekirjoitukset/l%C3%A4hes-kaikki-kuopion-lehtotyypit-luokiteltiin-uhanalaisiksi/146257| title= Lähes kaikki Kuopion lehtotyypit luokiteltiin uhanalaisiksi| last= Ihantola| first= Anna-Riikka| work= Savon Sanomat| date= 15 June 2008| access-date= 17 January 2021| language= fi}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Of the Finnish municipalities, Kuopio has the second largest number of [[summer cottage]]s and [[holiday home]]s. In 2013, the number of summer cottages was 8,684. The number of summer homes in Kuopio has increased in recent years due to municipal associations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kuopio.fi/web/kaupunkitietoa/asuminen |title=Asuminen - Kuopion kaupunki |access-date=19 June 2020 |archive-date=6 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106064344/https://www.kuopio.fi/web/kaupunkitietoa/asuminen |url-status=dead }}</ref> Due to the abundance of water bodies, Kuopio also has a remarkably favorable climate compared to the latitude. The annual sum of the effective temperature is about as high in Kuopio as in places further south than it, for example, [[Tampere]] and [[Lahti]].<ref>Spectrum tietokeskus (1978), p. 185 (in Finnish)</ref>

=== Subdivisions ===
[[File:Kuopio aerial 6.jpg|thumb|An aerial view of Kuopio.]]
[[File:Rönön asutusalue Kuopiossa.jpg|thumb|right|Boats in the [[Rönö|Rönö district]].]]
There are more than 50 districts and villages in Kuopio.<ref name="asunto"/>
{{Div col|colwidth=14em}}
# [[Väinölänniemi]]
# [[Vahtivuori]]
# [[Maljalahti]]
# [[Multimäki]]
# [[Kuopionlahti]]
# [[Hatsala]]
# [[Niirala]]
# [[Haapaniemi]]
# [[Itkonniemi]]
# [[Männistö]]
# [[Linnanpelto]]
# [[Saarijärvi, Kuopio|Saarijärvi]]
# [[Puijonlaakso]]
# [[Savilahti, Kuopio|Savilahti]]
# [[Peipposenrinne]]
# [[Inkilänmäki]]
# [[Särkiniemi]]
# [[Kettulanlahti]]
# [[Rahusenkangas]]
# [[Rönö]]
# [[Rypysuo]]
# [[Päiväranta]]
# [[Julkula]]
# [[Sorsasalo]]
# [[Kelloniemi]]
# [[Levänen]]
# [[Jynkkä]]
# [[Neulamäki]]
# [[Puijo (district)|Puijo]]
# [[Niuva]]
# [[Neulaniemi]]
# [[Kolmisoppi]]
# [[Neulalampi]]
# [[Petonen]]
# [[Ltimanen, Kuopio|Litmanen]]
# [[Pirtti]]
# [[Pitkälahti]]
# [[Saaristokaupunki]]
# [[Lehtoniemi]]
# [[Rautaniemi]]
# [[Hiltulanlahti]]
# [[Kiviharju]]
# [[Vanuvuori]]
# [[Melalahti]]
# [[Kurkimäki, Kuopio|Kurkimäki]]
# [[Vehmersalmi]]
# [[Karttula]]
# [[Nilsiä]]
# [[Tahko]]
# [[Maaninka]]
# [[Keskisaari, Kuopio|Keskisaari]]
# [[Juankoski]]
# [[Säyneinen]]
# [[Puutossalmi]]
# [[Pellesmäki]]
{{Div col end}}

=== Climate ===

{{climate chart
|Kuopio
|-11.2|-5.2|41
|-11.8|-4.9|35
|-7.6|0.2|31
|-1.7|6.7|29
|4.6|14.2|49
|10.6|19.1|71
|13.7|21.8|85
|12.2|19.5|66
|7.6|13.5|55
|2.1|6.3|55
|-3.0|0.8|51
|-7.6|-2.6|51
|float     =
|clear     =
|units     = metric
}}

Kuopio falls in the [[humid continental climate|continental climate]] zone (Köppen climate classification Dfb), bordering on [[subarctic climate]] zone ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] "Dfc"). Winters are long and cold, with average highs staying below freezing from November until March, and summers are short and relatively mild.  Most precipitation occurs in the late summer and early fall. The summers are relatively warm for its latitude, especially the lows. This is due to influence from the lake, making it much warmer on summer nights than in areas away from water. In winter, maritime moderation is eliminated as the lake freezes over. Average temperatures for all seasons have warmed in recent decades.
{{Weather box
|location = Kuopio Airport, [[Siilinjärvi]] (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1940–present)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 7.9	
|Feb record high C = 9.7
|Mar record high C = 13.3
|Apr record high C = 21.9
|May record high C = 28.6
|Jun record high C = 31.9
|Jul record high C = 33.8
|Aug record high C = 33.2
|Sep record high C = 25.9
|Oct record high C = 19.1
|Nov record high C = 11.7
|Dec record high C = 8.6
| Jan high C = -5.2
| Feb high C = -4.9
| Mar high C = -0.2
| Apr high C = 6.7
| May high C = 14.2
| Jun high C = 19.1
| Jul high C = 21.8
| Aug high C = 19.5
| Sep high C = 13.5
| Oct high C = 6.3
| Nov high C = 0.8
| Dec high C = -2.6
|Jan mean C = -8.1
|Feb mean C = -8.3
|Mar mean C = -3.7
|Apr mean C = 2.4
|May mean C = 9.3
|Jun mean C = 14.7
|Jul mean C = 17.6
|Aug mean C = 15.6
|Sep mean C = 10.3
|Oct mean C = 4.1
|Nov mean C = -1.0
|Dec mean C = -5
| Jan low C = -11.2
| Feb low C = -11.8
| Mar low C = -7.6
| Apr low C = -1.7
| May low C = 4.6
| Jun low C = 10.6
| Jul low C = 13.7
| Aug low C = 12.2
| Sep low C = 7.6
| Oct low C = 2.1
| Nov low C = -3.0
| Dec low C = -7.6
|Jan record low C = -39.3
|Feb record low C = -37.0
|Mar record low C = -33.0
|Apr record low C = -20.9
|May record low C = -8.2
|Jun record low C = 0.1
|Jul record low C = 4.7	
|Aug record low C = 2.7
|Sep record low C = -4.9
|Oct record low C = -15.0
|Nov record low C = -27.6
|Dec record low C = -41.1
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 41
| Feb precipitation mm = 35
| Mar precipitation mm = 31
| Apr precipitation mm = 29
| May precipitation mm = 49
| Jun precipitation mm = 71
| Jul precipitation mm = 85
| Aug precipitation mm = 66
| Sep precipitation mm = 55
| Oct precipitation mm = 55
| Nov precipitation mm = 51
| Dec precipitation mm = 51
| Jan precipitation days = 11
| Feb precipitation days = 9
| Mar precipitation days = 9
| Apr precipitation days = 7
| May precipitation days = 9
| Jun precipitation days = 10
| Jul precipitation days = 11
| Aug precipitation days = 11
| Sep precipitation days = 10
| Oct precipitation days = 11
| Nov precipitation days = 11
| Dec precipitation days = 11
|source 1 = [[Finnish Meteorological Institute]]<ref>{{cite book
  | url = http://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/35880
  | title = Tilastoja Suomen ilmastosta 1991 - 2020
  | date = 14 August 2012
  | publisher = Finnish Meteorological Institute
  | isbn = 9789516977655
  | access-date = 3 January 2013
  | archive-date = 20 March 2021
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210320150526/https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/35880
  | url-status = dead
  }}</ref>
[[Finnish Meteorological Institute|FMI]](record highs and lows 1940-1961)<ref name="Suomen Maakuntien ilmasto-Ilmatieteenlaitos">{{cite web|url=https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/15734/2009nro8.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|format=PDF|title=SUOMEN MAAKUNTIEN ILMASTO|website=Helda.helsinki.fi|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>
|date=January 2011
}}{{Weatherbox
| single line = Y
| location = Kuopio Maaninka (normals 1991-2020, extremes 1959-present)
| source = FMI normals 1991-2020<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/d7ce3a4f-bf47-4453-be76-2a0de738c59a
|title = FMI normals 1991-2020
|publisher= FMI
|access-date = 22 May 2025}}</ref>
| collapsed = Y
| Jan low C = -11.6
| Jan mean C = -8.2
| Jan high C = -5.1
| Feb low C = -12.2
| Feb mean C = -8.4
| Feb high C = -4.8
| Dec low C = -7.9
| Dec mean C = -5.1
| Dec high C = -2.6
| metric first = Y
| Mar low C = -8.1
| Mar mean C = -3.8
| Mar high C = 0.4
| Apr low C = -2.1
| Apr mean C = 2.2
| Apr high C = 6.7
| May low C = 3.8
| May mean C = 9.1
| May high C = 14.1
| Nov high C = 0.8
| Nov low C = -3.1
| Nov mean C = -1.1
| Oct low C = 1.6
| Oct mean C = 3.9
| Oct high C = 6.2
| Sep low C = 6.5
| Sep mean C = 10.0
| Sep high C = 13.7
| Jun low C = 9.5
| Jun mean C = 14.4
| Jun high C = 19.1
| Aug low C = 10.7
| Aug mean C = 15.1
| Aug high C = 19.5
| Jul low C = 12.4
| Jul mean C = 17.1
| Jul high C = 21.8
| Jan record low C = -40.2
| Feb record low C = -41.2
| Dec record low C = -35.0
| Jan record high C = 8.0
| Feb record high C = 9.2
| Mar record high C = 13.2
| Apr record high C = 21.2
| Mar record low C = -35.4
| Apr record low C = -21.8
| May record low C = -8.4
| May record high C = 28.4
| Jun record low C = -2.7
| Jun record high C = 32.6
| Jul record low C = 1.6
| Jul record high C = 35.0
| Aug record low C = -2.2
| Aug record high C = 32.9
| Sep record low C = -6.1
| Sep record high C = 26.0
| Oct record high C = 18.4
| Oct record low C = -21.0
| Nov record low C = -32.3
| Nov record high C = 11.0
| Dec record high C = 8.5
| Jan precipitation mm = 41
| precipitation color = green
| Feb precipitation mm = 35
| Mar precipitation mm = 31
| Apr precipitation mm = 29
| May precipitation mm = 49
| Jun precipitation mm = 71
| Jul precipitation mm = 85
| Aug precipitation mm = 66
| Sep precipitation mm = 55
| Oct precipitation mm = 55
| Nov precipitation mm = 51
| Dec precipitation mm = 51
| Jan precipitation days = 21
| Feb precipitation days = 17
| Mar precipitation days = 15
| Apr precipitation days = 12
| May precipitation days = 14
| Jun precipitation days = 15
| Jul precipitation days = 15
| Aug precipitation days = 16
| Sep precipitation days = 17
| Oct precipitation days = 19
| Nov precipitation days = 21
| Dec precipitation days = 21
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan avg record low C = -27.5
| Feb avg record low C = -27.3
| Mar avg record low C = -20.9
| Apr avg record low C = -11.0
| May avg record low C = -3.0
| Jun avg record low C = 2.5
| Jul avg record low C = 6.0
| Aug avg record low C = 4.1
| Sep avg record low C = -0.8
| Oct avg record low C = -6.8
| Nov avg record low C = -13.6
| Dec avg record low C = -21.9
| year avg record low C = -30.7
| Jan avg record high C = 3.2
| Feb avg record high C = 3.2
| Mar avg record high C = 7.7
| Apr avg record high C = 15.4
| May avg record high C = 23.5
| Jun avg record high C = 26.5
| Jul avg record high C = 27.7
| Aug avg record high C = 25.7
| Sep avg record high C = 20.1
| Oct avg record high C = 12.7
| Nov avg record high C = 7.2
| Dec avg record high C = 3.7
| year avg record high C = 28.9
| source 2 = Record highs and lows<ref name="FMI open data">{{cite web
|url= https://kilotavu.com/asema-taulukko.php?asema=101572
|title = FMI open data
|publisher = FMI
|access-date = 22 May 2025}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==

===Population===
{{Historical populations
| title= Historical population
| percentages = pagr
|type= none
|state = collapsed
|1815|1087
|1840|2071
|1850|2849
|1860|4066
|1870|5639
|1880|6871
|1890|8882
|1900|11723
|1910|15845
|1920|18725
|1930|24082
|1940|25157
|1950|33353
|1960|44911
|1970|63766
|1972|96443
|1980|99687
|1990|104675
|2000|108890
|2010|112336
|2020|120210
 |footnote=Source: Tilastollinen päätoimisto,<ref name="stv1940">{{Cite web  | url=https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/69230/stv_1940.pdf | title=Suomen tilastollinen vuosikirja 1940 | date=1941 | publisher=Tilastollinen päätoimisto | access-date=5 January 2025 | language=fi }}</ref> [[Statistics Finland]] (1972-2020)<ref name="Stat-finland-population-38,000-persons"/>
}}
The city of Kuopio has {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kuopio }}}} inhabitants, making it the {{ordinal|{{Data Finland municipality/population count sequence|Kuopio}}}} most populous municipality in Finland. The [[Kuopio sub-region|region of Kuopio]] is the 7th largest in Finland, after the regions of [[Helsinki metropolitan area|Helsinki]], [[Tampere metropolitan area|Tampere]], [[Turku metropolitan area|Turku]], [[Oulu sub-region|Oulu]], [[Jyväskylä sub-region|Jyväskylä]] and [[Lahti sub-region|Lahti]]. Kuopio is home to 2% of Finland's population. 7% of the population has a foreign background, which is below the national average.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>

{{Bar chart
| title   = Population size of Kuopio (and merged municipalities) 1980–2020<ref name="Stat-finland-population-38,000-persons">{{Cite web | url=https://stat.fi/en/publication/cl8lprraorrr20dut5a0tywm5 | title=Number of foreign-language speakers grew by nearly 38,000 persons | date=31 May 2023 | publisher=Statistics Finland | access-date=12 September 2023 | language=en }}</ref>
| label_type  = Year
| data_type   = Population
| bar_width = 47
| width_units = em
| label1  = 1980
| label2  = 1985
| label3  = 1990
| label4  = 1995
| label5  = 2000
| label6  = 2005
| label7  = 2010
| label8  = 2015
| label9  = 2020 
| data_max = 125000
| data1  = 99687
| data2  = 102686
| data3  = 104675
| data4  = 108199
| data5  = 108890
| data6  = 110208
| data7  = 112336
| data8  = 116921
| data9  = 120210
 |footnote=Source: Tilastollinen päätoimisto,<ref name="stv1940">{{Cite web  | url=https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/69230/stv_1940.pdf | title=Suomen tilastollinen vuosikirja 1940 | date=1941 | publisher=Tilastollinen päätoimisto | access-date=5 January 2024 | language=fi }}</ref> [[Statistics Finland]]<ref name="Stat-finland-population-38,000-persons"/>
}}

=== Languages ===

{{Pie chart
|thumb = left
|direction=row
|caption = Population by<br/>mother tongue (2024)<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final">{{cite web |url= https://stat.fi/en/publication/cm1jg8tr20lco07vwvoif9s6i |title= Number of foreign-language speakers exceeded 600,000 during 2024  |date= 2025-04-04 |series= Population structure |publisher= Statistics Finland |issn= 1797-5395  |access-date=2025-04-10 }}</ref>
|label1 = Finnish
|value1 = 92.4
|color1 = #002F6C
|label2 = Russian
|value2 = 1.5
|color2 = #D52B1E
|label3 = Arabic
|value3 = 0.7
|color3 = #165D31
|label4 = Ukrainian
|value4 = 0.6
|color4 = #0057B7
|label5 = English
|value5 = 0.5
|color5 = #FFFFFF
|label6 = Bengali
|value6 = 0.3
|color6 = #006A4E
|label7 = Estonian
|value7 = 0.2
|color7 = #0072CE
|label8 = Other
|value8 = 3.8
|color8 = #C5C5C5
}}
Kuopio is a monolingual [[Finnish language|Finnish-speaking]] municipality. {{As of|2024}}, the majority of the population, {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/native language Finnish|Kuopio}}}} persons ({{Percentage|sigfig = 3|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Finnish|Kuopio}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kuopio}}}}), spoke Finnish as their first language. In addition, the number of [[Swedish-speaking population of Finland|Swedish speakers]] was {{formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/native language Swedish|Kuopio }}}} persons ({{Percentage|sigfig = 1|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Swedish|Kuopio}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kuopio}}}}) of the population. Foreign languages were spoken by {{Formatnum: {{pct|{{Data Finland municipality/native language other|Kuopio}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Kuopio}}|1}}}} of the population.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> As [[English language|English]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] are compulsory school subjects, functional bilingualism or trilingualism acquired through language studies is not uncommon.

At least 100 different languages are spoken in Kuopio. The most common foreign languages are [[Russian language|Russian]] (1.5%), [[Arabic]] (0.7%), [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] (0.6%), [[English language|English]] (0.5%) and [[Bengali language|Bengali]] (0.3%).<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>

=== Immigration ===

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right;" 
|colspan="3"|'''Population by country of birth (2024)'''<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>
|-\
! Nationality || Population || %
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || 117,397 || 95.1
|-
|{{flag|Soviet Union}} || 1,359 || 1.1
|-
|{{flag|Russia}} || 616 || 0.5
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}} || 465 || 0.4
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || 326 || 0.3
|-
|{{flag|Nigeria}} || 292 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Syria}} || 289 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Bangladesh}} || 287 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Thailand}} || 279 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|China}} || 235 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Myanmar}} || 229 || 0.2
|-
|{{flag|Estonia}} || 228 || 0.2
|- 
|Other || 3,664 || 2.9
|- 
|}
{{As of|2024}}, 8,517 people with a foreign background lived in Kuopio, representing 7% of the population.{{refn|Statistics Finland classifies a person as having a "foreign background" if both parents or the only known parent were born abroad.<ref name="statistics-finland-persons-with-foreign-background">{{cite web |access-date=18 September 2023 |title=Persons with foreign background |publisher=Statistics Finland |url=https://www.stat.fi/tup/maahanmuutto/maahanmuuttajat-vaestossa/ulkomaalaistaustaiset_en.html |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105084300/https://www.stat.fi/tup/maahanmuutto/maahanmuuttajat-vaestossa/ulkomaalaistaustaiset_en.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>|group=note}} There are 8,269 residents who were born abroad, which makes up 7% of the population. The number of foreign citizens in Kuopio is 5,980.<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/> Most foreign-born citizens come from the former [[Soviet Union]], [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Sweden]], [[Niger]] and [[Syria]].<ref name="statistics-finland-population-2024-final"/>

The relative proportion of immigrants in Kuopio's population is below the national average. It is lower than in the major Finnish cities of [[Helsinki]], [[Espoo]], [[Tampere]], [[Vantaa]] or [[Turku]].

=== Religion ===

In 2023, the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Evangelical Lutheran Church]] was the largest religious group with 65.6% of the population of Kuopio. Other religious groups accounted for 3.8% of the population. 30.6% of the population had no religious affiliation.<ref>[https://pxdata.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/en/StatFin/StatFin__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11ra.px Key figures on population by region, 1990-2023] Statistics Finland</ref>

[[File:Kuopio, Kuopio Cathedral.JPG|thumb|left|[[Kuopio Cathedral]]]]
The largest church denomination in Finland, Lutheran Church has a [[Diocese of Kuopio|diocese in Kuopio]], which is shepherded by bishop [[Jari Jolkkonen]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Koskinen|first=Jerri|title=Jari Jolkkonen vihittiin Kuopion piispan virkaan|url=http://www.savonsanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/jari-jolkkonen-vihittiin-kuopion-piispan-virkaan/1192715|access-date=11 May 2012|newspaper=Savon Sanomat|date=6 May 2012|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018033455/http://www.savonsanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/jari-jolkkonen-vihittiin-kuopion-piispan-virkaan/1192715|url-status=dead}}</ref> One of the most significant Lutheran churches in the city is the [[Kuopio Cathedral]], completed in 1816.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kuopioinfo.fi/english/perussivut/vierailukohteet/kirkot.php|title=Charming beauty of churches|date=12 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412061519/http://www.kuopioinfo.fi/english/perussivut/vierailukohteet/kirkot.php |access-date=30 June 2022|archive-date=12 April 2011 }}</ref>

Until 2018, Kuopio was home to primate of the [[Finnish Orthodox Church]], the called Archbishop of Karelia and all Finland. Since 2018, the primate is seated in Helsinki and Kuopio became the seat of the [[Diocese of Kuopio and Karelia]]. The late [[Archbishop Paul]] had been successful in producing literature of popular Orthodox theology. The city is also the location of [[RIISA- Orthodox Church Museum of Finland]].

Kuopio also has an Islamic mosque.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.islamicfinder.org/|title=Savon Islamilainen Yhdyskunta|website=IslamicFinder.org|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> Muslims from various parts of the world and certain Finnish Muslims live in Kuopio.

The town is also home to the first [[Buddhism in Burma|Burmese]] [[Kyaung|Buddhist monastery]] in Finland, named the Buddha Dhamma Ramsi Monastery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=71,7596,0,0,1,0 |title=Buddhist Channel &#124; Buddhism News, Headlines &#124; World &#124; Burmese Buddhist monastery opens in Finland |publisher=Buddhistchannel.tv |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=16 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-10883754|title=Burmalaiset keräsivät vuosikausia rahaa buddhalaisluostarin perustamiseksi Savoon – munkki Ven Pannasami: "Me tavoittelemme myös suomalaisia"|date=20 July 2019|website=Yle.fi|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Kauppakeskus Matkus - C-sisäänkäynti - Hiltulanlahti - Kuopio - m.jpg|thumb|right|Matkus Shopping Centre in [[Hiltulanlahti]], Kuopio]]
Kuopio's economic structure is very diverse. In 2008, there were about 4,200 enterprises in Kuopio,<ref name="elinkein">{{cite book | title = Kuopion työpaikat ja elinkeinorakenne 1.1.2008 | publisher = Kuopion kaupungin yrityspalvelu | year = 2008 | url = http://www.kuopio.fi/attachments.nsf/Files/040607115432639/$File/elinkeinorakenne.pdf?OpenElement | pages = 1–2 | access-date = 9 January 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101207084221/http://www.kuopio.fi/attachments.nsf/Files/040607115432639/$File/elinkeinorakenne.pdf?OpenElement | archive-date = 7 December 2010 | url-status = dead }}</ref> of which approximately 180 were export companies.<ref name="siististi">{{cite web|url= http://www.kuopio.fi/net.nsf/TD/131103132915063?OpenDocument|title= Elinkeinoelämä|access-date= 9 January 2009|publisher= City of Kuopio|date= 7 October 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090226005047/http://www.kuopio.fi/net.nsf/TD/131103132915063?OpenDocument|archive-date= 26 February 2009|df= dmy-all}}</ref> These provided about 45,000 jobs.<ref name="siististi" /> In 2016, this grew to a total of about 5,050 companies, of which more than 190 also trade abroad. There are a total of 50,877 jobs. The business service of the City of Kuopio plays a significant role in the development of Kuopio's business life. The business service promotes the development of companies operating in Kuopio and improves the operating environments of companies. The most important thing in developing operating environments is to improve the supply of estate and business premises. The [[Kuopio University Hospital]] (KUH) is Kuopio's second largest employer after the City of Kuopio; in 2011, KUH employed a total of 4,113 people.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.kuopio.fi/documents/731621/732627/tyopaikat_ja_elinkeinorakenne.pdf| title= Suurimmat työnantajat Kuopiossa 1.1.2011| publisher= City of Kuopio| access-date= 2022-01-20| language= fi| archive-date= 19 September 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160919212450/https://www.kuopio.fi/documents/731621/732627/tyopaikat_ja_elinkeinorakenne.pdf| url-status= dead}}</ref>

[[Tourism]] is of great importance to Kuopio's business life;<ref name="kuopio.fi">{{Cite web |url=http://kuopio.fi/web/kaupunkitietoa/elinkeinoelama |title=Elinkeinoelämä - Kuopion kaupunki |access-date=23 January 2021 |archive-date=28 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628033603/http://www.kuopio.fi/web/kaupunkitietoa/elinkeinoelama |url-status=dead }}</ref> the Rauhalahti [[camping site]] is one indication of Kuopio's expertise, as it is the only five-star camping site in Finland.<ref name="kuopio.fi" /> The city has also a comprehensive hotel offer for tourism, one of the most notable is Hotel Savonia, part of the [[Best Western]] hotel chain, in the [[Puijonlaakso|Puijonlaakso district]]. Arranging accommodation and program services gives many jobs. Kuopio's Entrepreneurs (''Kuopion Yrittäjät''), the local association of Savo's Entrepreneurs (''Savon Yrittäjät''), operates in Kuopio.

[[File:Technology Centre Teknia Ltd Microteknia area.jpg|thumb|left|Technology centre Technopolis Kuopio is situated in [[Kuopio Science Park]].]]
The most significant recent business projects are the centralization of [[Honeywell]]'s Finnish operations in Kuopio, the completion of Ark Therapeutics' gene medicine plant, the marine industry concentration built by Bella Boats at the Marine Park in [[Haapaniemi]]'s Siikaniemi and the construction of [[Junttan]]'s EUR 15 million assembly plant at Kylmämäki at the end of 2008. The site of Junttan's current factory in Särkilahti will have space for a large shopping center. The 9.7-hectare plot purchased by Savocon and TKD Finland for EUR 11 million has a building right for 58,500 square meters. The two companies plan to invest a total of about 40 million euros in the project.<ref>{{cite magazine| last= Juutilainen |first= Jouko | title= "Junttanin tiloihin kauppajätti" ja "Moottoritien varteen uusi kauppajätti". | magazine= Savon Sanomat | date= 19 January 2008 | number= 18 | language = fi}}</ref> A significant industrial player is also Savon Sello company in Sorsasalo, which is currently owned by Powerflute Oyj. One of the biggest projects and investments of recent years is the preparation of the construction of Finnpulp's largest and most modern [[softwood]] [[pulp mill]] in Kuopio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finnpulp.fi/finnpulp-tausta.html|title=Finnpulp - Finnpulp Oy|website=Finnpulp.fi|access-date=23 January 2021|language=fi|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911191843/http://www.finnpulp.fi/finnpulp-tausta.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The most significant retail investments are the [[Prisma (chain store)|Prisma]] [[hypermarket]] completed in December 2007 and the Päiväranta's [[K-Citymarket]] completed in August 2008. A hardware store Kodin Terra was opened in Pitkälahti, as well as the Ikano Group's [[Matkus Shopping Center]] in the [[Hiltulanlahti]] area in November 2012<ref>{{cite web| url= http://karttapalvelu.kuopio.fi/| title= Kuopion karttapalvelu | publisher= City of Kuopio|access-date= 23 January 2021 | language = fi}}</ref> and an [[IKEA]] [[department store]] in May 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.ikanofastigheter.se/fi/Retail-centres/Kauppakeskukset/Suomi/Kuopio/ | title= Kuopio | work= Ikano Retail Centres Finland Oy | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131110065834/http://www.ikanofastigheter.se/fi/Retail-centres/Kauppakeskukset/Suomi/Kuopio/ | access-date= 23 January 2021 | archive-date= 10 November 2013 | language = fi}}</ref>

== Culture ==
[[File:Kuopion museo 2012.jpg|thumb|[[Kuopio Museum]] in a National Romantic style building]]
[[File:J.V. Snellmanin rintakuva.jpg|thumb|Bust of [[J. V. Snellman]] in [[Snellman Park]] (''Snellmaninpuisto'')]]
Kuopio is known as the cultural center of Eastern Finland. One of Kuopio's most important cultural venues are the [[Kuopio Museum]], the [[Kuopio Art Museum]] and the [[Kuopio City Theatre]] in the city center. A wide range of musical (from kindergarten to doctorate-level studies) and dance education is available and the cultural life is active. Notable events include [[ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival]], Kuopio Dance Festival, [[Kuopio Rockcock]], Kuopio Wine Festival, Kuopio Marathon and Finland Ice Marathon in winter. A notable place, however, to enjoy the local flavor of Kuopio life and food is Sampo, a fish restaurant loved by locals and tourists as well.

Kuopio is known for its association with a national delicacy, Finnish fish pastry ([[Kalakukko]]), and the dialect of [[Savonian dialects|Savo]], as well as the hill of [[Puijo]] and the [[Puijo tower]].<ref name="helsinki-times"/> Besides being a very popular outdoor recreation area, Puijo serves also as a stage for a yearly World Cup [[ski jumping]] competition.<ref name="helsinki-times"/>

In inhabitants of Kuopio have a special reputation: they are known as jovial and verbally joking.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} Within the Savo culture, the [[:wikt:onus|onus]] is placed on the listener to interpret the story. People of the Kuopio region and Eastern Finland have always had many health problems and the mortality has been higher than on an average in Finland. Because of this, Eastern Finland has been a hotspot for Public Health studies. The [[North Karelia Project]] by the [[University of Kuopio]] in coordination with the [[National Institute for Health and Welfare (Finland)|National Public Health Institute]] and the [[World Health Organization]], beginning in the 1970s was one of its first steps towards world class research.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kuukausiliite/art-2000010366308.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1kwU97ZyXf01JcaKQHRMQxSnG8JdjNcBpKBuzY0xya_TFI4ebC1u_cJQw_aem_AX8RowBrkP32pp69PvHgy8do-zSHeEB_lk_972H7FcxIl98lHhJAu0alVJd7KPD0zIgR-B4czeAAr8W5AQfAcJTf|title=Kaikkien aikojen projekti|first=Katja|last=Martelius|work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]]|date=24 April 2024|access-date=29 September 2024|language=fi|url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Niuvanniemi]] a historical [[psychiatric hospital]] is also located in the western part of the city in the [[Niuva|Niuva district]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.niuva.fi/english/index_en.htm|title=Official website of Niuvanniemi hospital|website=Niuva.fi|access-date=30 June 2022|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028212023/http://www.niuva.fi/english/index_en.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the 2000s, Kuopio has placed very well in a number of image, popularity and city-attractiveness surveys. In 2007 it was placed third, behind [[Tampere]] and [[Oulu]].

[[File:Kuopio Market Square2.jpg|thumb|500px|centre|[[Kuopio Market Square]] with the [[Kuopio Market Hall|Market Hall]] in foreground and the [[Kuopio City Hall|City Hall]] in the background]]

== Sports ==
[[File:Kuopio PuijoTower 01.jpg|thumb|Puijo Ski Jumps with the Observation Tower in the background]]
[[File:Lusty looks KuPS HJK 03 08.jpg|thumb|[[KuPS]] vs [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]] at [[Magnum Areena]], Kuopio. [[Finnish League Cup]], March 11, 2008.]]
Kuopio bid for the [[2012 Winter Youth Olympics]], a youth sports festival in the tradition of the Olympics.  It became a finalist in November 2008, but ultimately lost to [[Innsbruck, Austria]].  Kuopio's image as a small city with a large University and many active young people was considered a model of what the [[International Olympic Committee]] seeks for the Games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/youth_olympic_bids/youth_winter_2012/1216133865.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108183633/http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/youth_olympic_bids/youth_winter_2012/1216133865.html|url-status=dead|title=Innsbruck and Kuopio Make Final Shortlist For 2012 Youth Olympic Winter Games|archive-date=8 January 2012|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>

*[[KalPa]] ([[ice hockey]])<ref name="helsinki-times"/>
*[[KuPS]] ([[football (soccer)|football]])
*[[Kuopion Taitoluistelijat]] ([[figure skating]])
*[[Puijon Hiihtoseura]] ([[skiing]], [[ski jumping]], [[nordic combined]], [[biathlon]])
*Puijon Pesis ([[pesäpallo]])
*[[Kuopion Reippaan voimistelijat]] ([[gymnastics]])
*Finland Ice Marathon ([[ice skating]] event)
*[[Kuopio Steelers]] ([[american football]])
*Kuopio Skating club, Kuopion Luisteluseura KuLs (figure skating)
*[[Welhot]] ([[floorball]])
*[[Linkki]] ([[basketball]])

== Transport ==
[[File:EFKU check-in 20081109.jpg|thumb|left|Check-in at [[Kuopio Airport]]]]
The city has a nationally unique feature in its street network, where every other street is reserved for pedestrian and cycle traffic,<ref>{{cite book | title = WP2: Accessibility, Synthesis Report | publisher = Universell utforming | page = 14 | url = http://www.universell-utforming.miljo.no/file_upload/wp2_accessibility_synthesis.pdf | date = 26 March 2004 | access-date = 7 January 2009 | archive-date = 25 March 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090325031655/http://www.universell-utforming.miljo.no/file_upload/wp2_accessibility_synthesis.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref> so-called "rännikatu" (derived from the Swedish ''gränd'', alley). These streets provide pedestrians a calm environment away from vehicular traffic.<ref>{{cite book | title = Description of the Case Areas| publisher = VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland | page = 8 | url = http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/prompt/case%20areas.pdf | date =2 May 2002 }}</ref> This setup dates back to Kuopio's first town plan by Pehr Kjellman in 1776. Originally, rännikadut were created as a fire barrier to prevent a possible fire escalating in a mainly wood-constructed city.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.pohjois-savonmuisti.fi/verkko_nayttelyt/napoleon_ja_kuopio/kustaa_III.htm|title= Napoleon ja Kuopio: Kuninkaiden Kuopio|access-date= 11 January 2009|work= Memory of Northern Savonia|publisher= Museums of Northern Savonia|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090225174518/http://www.pohjois-savonmuisti.fi/verkko_nayttelyt/napoleon_ja_kuopio/kustaa_III.htm|archive-date= 25 February 2009|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

Two Finnish highways cross Kuopio: [[Finnish national road 5]] (Vt 5; part of [[European route E63|E63]] in the northern side of city), which extends south to [[Helsinki]] and north to [[Sodankylä]], and [[Finnish national road 9]] (Vt 9; part of E63 in the western side of city), which extends west to [[Turku]] and east to the [[Niirala checkpoint]] on the [[Finnish-Russian border]]. The [[Blue Highway (tourist route)|Blue Highway]] passes through Kuopio. It is an international tourist route from [[Mo i Rana]], [[Norway]] to [[Pudozh]], [[Russia]] via [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]].

Long-distance transport connections from Kuopio include [[Pendolino]] and [[InterCity]] trains from [[Kuopio railway station]] to several destinations around Finland, operated by [[VR Group|VR]], as well as multiple daily departures from [[Kuopio Airport]] on [[Finnair]] to [[Helsinki-Vantaa Airport|Helsinki]]. The passenger harbour of the [[port of Kuopio]], located on the shore of Lake Kallavesi, is the busiest port for passenger traffic in the [[Vuoksi]] [[drainage basin]] and the [[Finnish Lakeland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kuopio.fi/matkustajasatama|title=Matkustajasatama &#124; Kuopio|website=Kuopio.fi|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visit-plus.com/node/6978|title=Kuopio - information for tourists &#124; Finland travel destinations|website=Visit-plus.com|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>

== Education ==
{| cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; border:1px solid #aaa; width:300px; background:#fcfcfc; border-collapse:collapse;"
|+<small>Higher Education in Kuopio</small>
!<small>University</small>
!<small>Students</small>
|-
|<small>[[University of Eastern Finland]]</small>|| style="text-align:center;"|<small>6&nbsp;229<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.uku.fi/english/data.shtml|title= Key Data for 2007|access-date= 9 January 2009|publisher= University of Kuopio|year= 2007|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090125010858/http://www.uku.fi/english/data.shtml|archive-date= 25 January 2009|df= dmy-all}}</ref></small>
|-
|<small>[[Savonia University of Applied Sciences]]</small>|| style="text-align:center;"|<small>5&nbsp;000<ref>{{cite web|url= http://portal.savonia.fi/amk/english|title= In English|access-date= 9 January 2009|publisher= Savonia University of Applied Sciences|year= 2009|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110104180411/http://portal.savonia.fi/amk/english|archive-date= 4 January 2011|df= dmy-all}}</ref></small>
|-
|<small>[[List of polytechnics in Finland|HUMAK University of Applied Sciences]]</small>|| style="text-align:center;"|<small>~150</small>
|-
|<small>[[Sibelius Academy]]</small>|| style="text-align:center;"|<small>~100</small>
|}

Kuopio has always been a city of education. Some of the first schools offering education in [[Finnish language|Finnish]] (such as the School for the Blind in 1871, and the Trade School in 1887) were established in Kuopio. Currently the most important institutions are the [[University of Eastern Finland]], the [[Savonia University of Applied Sciences]], Vocational College of North Savo and the Kuopio department of the [[Sibelius Academy]]. One of the oldest schools in the city is [[Kuopio Lyceum High School]], which was officially established in 1872, but was originally built in 1826 and designed by [[Carl Ludvig Engel]].

Kuopio is known as a strong center of health (e.g. it has the biggest yearly enrollment rate of medical students in Finland), pharmacy, environment, food & nutrition (all legalized Clinical and Public Health Nutritionists in Finland graduate from the University of Eastern Finland), safety (education in Emergency Services is centered in Kuopio<ref name="emergency_services_college">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pelastusopisto.fi/|title=Pelastusopisto - Tutustu toimintaamme|website=Pelastusopisto.fi|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>) and welfare professions, as the major organisations University of Kuopio (now part of the [[University of Eastern Finland]] since January 2010.<ref name="uef.fi">{{Cite web|url=http://www.uef.fi/uef/historiaa|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227111005/http://www.uef.fi/uef/historiaa|url-status=dead|title=Steps leading to the establishment of the UEF|archive-date=27 February 2013|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>), Savonia University of Applied Sciences and [[Technology Centre Teknia (Kuopio Science Park)|Technopolis Kuopio]] are particularly oriented to those areas.

== Notable people ==
[[File:Minna Canth.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Minna Canth]], a writer and a social activist]]
{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
* [[Juhani Aho]]
* [[Pertti Ahokas]]
* [[Martti Ahtisaari]]
* [[Minna Canth]]
* [[Pekka Halonen]]
* [[Janne Happonen]]
* [[Matti Hautamäki]]
* [[Marko Hietala]]
* [[Zachary Hietala]]
* [[Olli Jokinen]]
* [[Kasperi Kapanen]]
* [[Sami Kapanen]]
* [[Elina Karjalainen]]
* [[Mika Kojonkoski]]
* [[H. Olliver Twisted]]
* [[Hannes Kolehmainen]]
* [[Lasse Lehtinen]]
* [[Paavo Lipponen]]
* [[Paavo Lötjönen]]
* [[Emmi Mäkelin]]
* [[Leo Makkonen|Archbishop Leo]]
* [[Iivo Niskanen]]
* [[Martti Nissinen]]
* [[Petri Partanen]]
* [[Spede Pasanen|Pertti "Spede" Pasanen]]
* [[Paavo Ruotsalainen]]
* [[Aarno Ruusuvuori]]
* [[Aulis Rytkönen]]
* [[Tuomo Saikkonen]]
* [[Petros Sasaki]]
* [[Päivi Setälä]]
* [[Sanna Sillanpää]]
* [[Alma (Finnish singer)]]
* [[Johan Vilhelm Snellman]]
* [[Leena Suhl]]
* [[Samuli Suhonen]]
* [[Robert Taylor (footballer, born 1994)|Robert Taylor]]
* [[Kimmo Timonen]]
* [[Janne Tolsa]]
* [[Jenni Vartiainen]]
* Brothers von Wright: [[Magnus von Wright|Magnus]], [[Wilhelm von Wright|Wilhelm]] and [[Ferdinand von Wright|Ferdinand]]
* [[Ilpo Väisänen]]
}}

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

Kuopio is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with 15 cities around the world. It also has one twin county, [[Lääne-Viru County]], [[Estonia]].<ref name=twin>{{Cite web |title=Twin cities |publisher=City of Kuopio |access-date=21 August 2019 |url=https://www.kuopio.fi/en/ystavyyskaupungit }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Twin towns – Sister cities===

Kuopio is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref name=twin/>
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Győr]], [[Hungary]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Minneapolis]], [[United States]]
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Winnipeg]], [[Canada]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Jönköping]], [[Sweden]]
*{{flagicon|LVA}} [[Alūksne]], [[Latvia]]
||
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Svendborg]], [[Denmark]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Pitkyaranta]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Pskov]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Castrop-Rauxel]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Bodø Municipality|Bodø]], [[Norway]]
||
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Gera]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Besançon]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Opole]], [[Poland]]
*{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Craiova]], [[Romania]]
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Pudong|Shanghai Pudong]], [[China]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Finland|Europe|Geography|Cities}}
* [[Finnish national road 5]]
* [[Kauppakatu]]
* [[Kuopio Battalion]]
* [[Kuopio Football Club]]
* The [[Kuopio Province]]
* The [[Kuopio school stabbing]]
* [[Kuopio Senior High of Music and Dance]]
* [[Nilsiä]]
* The [[Puijo Hill]]
* [[Siilinjärvi]]
* [[University of Eastern Finland]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes|d=yes}}
* [https://www.kuopio.fi/en/ Kuopio] – Official website {{in lang|fi|sv|en|de|fr|es|ru}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111012201006/http://w3.kuopio.fi/englishhome.nsf City of Kuopio] – Another official website {{in lang|fi|sv|en|de}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100306180633/http://www.kuopioinfo.fi/ KuopioInfo] – Various resources about different areas of interest related to Kuopio History and Life {{in lang|fi|en|de|ru|zh}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110720175253/http://360panorama.fi/vrj/kuopiontori_out.swf 360° panorama of Kuopio Marketplace]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110104180411/http://portal.savonia.fi/amk/english Savonia University of Applied Sciences] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://www.uef.fi University of Eastern Finland] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.novapolis.fi/ KPY Novapolis Kuopio] {{in lang|fi}}
* [http://www.investinkuopio.fi Invest in Kuopio -factsheet] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=22039 Kuopio Mosque]
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=62.896729,27.610016&spn=0.151270,0.468361&t=k&hl=en Satellite picture by Google Maps]

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Kuopio<br />{{Nobold|(nearly surrounds [[Siilinjärvi]])}}
 | N  = [[Iisalmi]], [[Lapinlahti]], [[Rautavaara]]
 | NE = [[Juuka]] ([[North Karelia]])
 | E  = [[Kaavi]]<br />[[Tuusniemi]]
 | S  = [[Suonenjoki]], [[Leppävirta]]
 | W  = [[Tervo]]
 | NW = [[Pielavesi]]
}}
{{NorthernSavonia}}
{{50 most populous Nordic urban settlements}}
{{50 most populous Finnish municipalities}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kuopio| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Finland]]
[[Category:Inland port cities and towns in Finland]]
[[Category:Grand Duchy of Finland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1653]]
[[Category:Populated lakeshore places in Finland]]