View source for Nurmes

{{Title language|fi|italics=no}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Nurmes
| official_name = {{lang|fi|Nurmeksen kaupunki}}<br/>{{lang|sv|Nurmes stad}}
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Nurmes Church 1.jpg
| image_caption = Nurmes Church
| image_shield = Nurmes.vaakuna.svg
| shield_size = 120x80px
| image_map = Nurmes sijainti Suomi.svg
| map_caption = Location of Nurmes in Finland
|coordinates = {{coord|63|32.7|N|029|08|E|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Finland}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Finland|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[North Karelia]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Sub-regions of Finland|Sub-region]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Pielinen Karelia]]
| leader_title = [[Town manager]]
| leader_name = Pasi Parkkinen
| established_title = [[Charter]]
| established_date = 1810
| established_title2 = [[Town privileges]]
| established_date2 = 1973
|area_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|area_footnotes|Nurmes}}
|area_total_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_total_km2|Nurmes}}
|area_land_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_land_km2|Nurmes}}
|area_water_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|area_water_km2|Nurmes}}
|area_rank = {{Data Finland municipality|area_rank|Nurmes}}
|population_as_of = {{Data Finland municipality|population_as_of|Nurmes}}
|population_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|population_footnotes|Nurmes}}
|population_total = {{Data Finland municipality|population_total|Nurmes}}
|population_density_km2 = {{Data Finland municipality|population_density_km2|Nurmes}}
|population_rank = {{Data Finland municipality|population_rank|Nurmes}}
|demographics_type1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type1|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|population_footnotes|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title1|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info1|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title2|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info2|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title3|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info3|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_title4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title4|Nurmes}}
|demographics1_info4 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info4|Nurmes}}
|demographics_type2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type2|Nurmes}}
|demographics2_footnotes = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_footnotes|Nurmes}}
|demographics2_title1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title1|Nurmes}}
|demographics2_info1 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info1|Nurmes}}
|demographics2_title2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title2|Nurmes}}
|demographics2_info2 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info2|Nurmes}}
|demographics2_title3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title3|Nurmes}}
|demographics2_info3 = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info3|Nurmes}}
|blank_name = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_name|Nurmes}}
|blank_info = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_info|Nurmes}}
|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.nurmes.fi/}}
}}
'''{{Langr|fi|Nurmes}}''' is a [[List of cities and towns in Finland|town]] and [[municipalities of Finland|municipality]] of [[Finland]], located in the [[Counties of Finland|county]] of [[North Karelia]]. The town has a population of {{formatnum:{{Data Finland municipality/population count|Nurmes}}}} ({{#time: j F Y|{{Data Finland municipality/population count|sourcedate}} }})<ref name="population_count"/> and covers an area of {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/total area|Nurmes}}|km2}} of which {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/waters area|Nurmes}}|km2|abbr=on}}
is water.<ref name="total_area"/> The [[population density]] is {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/population density|Nurmes|round=2}}|PD/km2}}. Neighbouring municipalities are [[Juuka]], [[Kuhmo]], [[Lieksa]], [[Rautavaara]] and [[Sotkamo]].

Nurmes railway station is the northern terminus of a twice-daily [[VR Group|VR]] passenger train service from [[Joensuu]]. The service has been under threat of closure but is currently part of rail services that the [[Ministry of Transport and Communications (Finland)|Ministry of Transport and Communications]] requires VR to run in exchange for its monopoly on more attractive routes. The agreement is currently valid through 2030.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kiskobussi kulkee Joensuusta Nurmekseen|url=https://www.karjalainen.fi/maakunta/kiskobussi-kulkee-joensuusta-nurmekseen-ja-pieksamaelle-kaksi-kertaa-paivassa-seuraavan-yhdeksan-vuoden-ajan-ministerio-ja-vr-ovat-tehneet-pitkan-sopimuksen-henkilojunaliikenteen-hankinnasta|access-date=2022-05-26}}</ref>

Karelian village and spa hotel Break Sokos Hotel Bomba are situated in Nurmes. Bomba Karelian Village is a tourist destination for Karelian construction and food culture and traditions. Hotel Hyvärilä Youth and Holiday Centre, and Pielis-Golf golf course are located near the Bomba area.

==Karelian nest==
The municipality is officially unilingually [[Finnish language|Finnish]], but in 2009, Finland's first [[Karelian language]] "nest" (pre-school immersion group) was established in Nurmes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nurmeksen kielipesässä lapsista tulee karjalankielisiä|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/kulttuuri/2009/09/nurmeksen_kielipesassa_lapsista_tulee_karjalankielisia_1010090.html|access-date=2010-07-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115022402/http://yle.fi/uutiset/kulttuuri/2009/09/nurmeksen_kielipesassa_lapsista_tulee_karjalankielisia_1010090.html|archive-date=2012-01-15}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Nurmes is located in [[Finnish Karelia]] on the shore of lake [[Pielinen]], next to the counties of [[Kainuu]] and [[North Savo]]. The nearest major cities by road are [[Kuopio]] (128&nbsp;km), [[Joensuu]] (127&nbsp;km) and [[Kajaani]] (113&nbsp;km) where the nearest airports are located. The railway from Nurmes to Joensuu is 160&nbsp;km and runs through [[Lieksa]]. [[Helsinki]] is 518 kilometers by road and can be reached by rail by changing trains in Joensuu. Nurmes is close to [[Tahkovuori|Tahko]] Tourist Center (93&nbsp;km), [[Vuokatti]] Ski Resort (88&nbsp;km), [[Koli National Park]] (78&nbsp;km), [[Tiilikkajärvi National Park|Tiilikkajärvi]] National Park (56&nbsp;km) and [[Hiidenportti National Park]] (44&nbsp;km).

The nature of Nurmes is characterized by hilly landscapes, forests and lakes. There are 409 lakes in Nurmes. The largest and the most famous of these is lake Pielinen. Species such as [[perch]], [[Thymallus thymallus|grayling]], pike, lake salmon, [[Whitefish (fisheries term)|whitefish]], [[lake trout]] are found in Pielinen. Fishing is possible with a licence that can be bought from shops.

There are three hiking areas in Nurmes:

* Raesärkkä area consists of a 5.9&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> protected forest and a 1.2&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> recreational forest. It has a grazing field, marshes, lakes and rivers.
* Mujejärvi area consists of a 20&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> hiking area with cliffs, ridges, gorges and lakes.
* Lake Peurajärvi is suitable for families with children and fishermen. There are many lakes, ponds and rivers in the area, with easy access routes.

There are many different mushroom, wild herb and berry species in the forests. There is [[Freedom to roam]] in Finland.

=== Climate ===
Nurmes experiences a [[continental climate]] with four seasons. Winters are cold and the average temperature from November to March is below -5&nbsp;°C. On average, the snow season lasts 4–5 months from November to April. North Karelia is one of the snowiest regions in Finland, with a typical March snow depth of more than 50&nbsp;cm. During the darkest time of the year, the sun is above the horizon for about four hours.

Summers are cool to warm and temperatures change very rapidly during the summer. During the brightest time of the year, the sun is above the horizon for about 20 hours.
{{Weather box
| location = Nurmes Valtimo (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1971-present)
| width = auto
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y
| Jan record high C = 7.9
| Feb record high C = 8.2
| Mar record high C = 12.7
| Apr record high C = 21.0
| May record high C = 28.7
| Jun record high C = 32.5
| Jul record high C = 34.8
| Aug record high C = 32.8
| Sep record high C = 26.0
| Oct record high C = 19.4
| Nov record high C = 10.8
| Dec record high C = 7.6
| year record high C = 34.8
| Jan high C = -6.1
| Feb high C = -5.5
| Mar high C = -0.1
| Apr high C = 6.2
| May high C = 13.6
| Jun high C = 18.7
| Jul high C = 21.5
| Aug high C = 19.0
| Sep high C = 13.1
| Oct high C = 5.5
| Nov high C = -0.1
| Dec high C = -3.5
| year high C = 6.9
| Jan mean C = -9.5
| Feb mean C = -9.4
| Mar mean C = -4.6
| Apr mean C = 1.5
| May mean C = 8.3
| Jun mean C = 13.8
| Jul mean C = 16.6
| Aug mean C = 14.2
| Sep mean C = 9.1
| Oct mean C = 3.0
| Nov mean C = -2.2
| Dec mean C = -6.3
| year mean C = 2.9
| Jan low C = -13.3
| Feb low C = -13.7
| Mar low C = -9.5
| Apr low C = -3.3
| May low C = 2.9
| Jun low C = 8.6
| Jul low C = 11.7
| Aug low C = 9.9
| Sep low C = 5.6
| Oct low C = 0.6
| Nov low C = -4.6
| Dec low C = -9.5
| year low C = -1.2
| Jan record low C = -42.0
| Feb record low C = -42.0
| Mar record low C = -36.0
| Apr record low C = -23.2
| May record low C = -10.4
| Jun record low C = -1.0
| Jul record low C = 2.6
| Aug record low C = -2.5
| Sep record low C = -8.0
| Oct record low C = -19.0
| Nov record low C = -33.0
| Dec record low C = -38.0
| year record low C = -42.0
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 40
| Feb precipitation mm = 35
| Mar precipitation mm = 31
| Apr precipitation mm = 29
| May precipitation mm = 49
| Jun precipitation mm = 64
| Jul precipitation mm = 80
| Aug precipitation mm = 65
| Sep precipitation mm = 62
| Oct precipitation mm = 59
| Nov precipitation mm = 54
| Dec precipitation mm = 49
| year precipitation mm = 618
| Jan precipitation days = 10
| Feb precipitation days = 9
| Mar precipitation days = 8
| Apr precipitation days = 7
| May precipitation days = 9
| Jun precipitation days = 11
| Jul precipitation days = 10
| Aug precipitation days = 10
| Sep precipitation days = 10
| Oct precipitation days = 11
| Nov precipitation days = 11
| Dec precipitation days = 11
| year precipitation days = 117
| source 1 = [[Finnish Meteorological Institute]]<ref name= FMI >{{cite web
  | url = https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/d7ce3a4f-bf47-4453-be76-2a0de738c59a
  | title = Tilastoja Suomen ilmastosta 1991–2020
  | publisher = FMI normals 1991-2020}}</ref>
| source 2 = Record highs and lows<ref name="FMI open data">{{cite web
| url = https://kilotavu.com/asema-taulukko.php?asema=101743
| title = FMI open data
| publisher = FMI
| access-date = 18 January 2025}}</ref>
}}

== Economy ==
Key industries of Nurmes are wood industry, food industry and metal and mechanical engineering.

Wood industry is the most significant industrial sector of our region in terms of turnover and employees. The products manufactured here include sawn and planed wood, glued beams, impregnated wooden poles, and high-quality special cardboards.

Nurmes has strong expertise in bakery, fish and meat processing sectors. The most sold signature products have been bread in various forms, and gluten-free bakery products.

Metal and mechanical engineering companies operate as subcontractors or manufacture products under their own trademarks. They develop innovative products & processes and search actively for new subcontracting opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pikes.fi/web/eng/the-key-industries|title=The Key industries - eng|website=www.pikes.fi|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref>

Nurmes has Green Industry Area (Nurmes GIA) which is a novel business district that offers spacious plots, modern infrastructure, and good logistic services. Nurmes GIA is an excellent platform e.g. for manufacturing and logistics of bio-based chemical products. The areal zoning and environmental impact assessment have been designed to benefit the start-up of forest-based industries and [[circular economy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pikes.fi/web/eng/nurmes-green-industry-area|title=Nurmes Green Industry Area - eng|website=www.pikes.fi|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref>

== Culture ==
Nurmes was declared Finland's Christmas Song City in 2005 and the European Christmas Song City in 2009.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} A lot of musical activities, such as concerts and events, are organized during Christmas in Nurmes.

During the summertime there are cultural events, such as [https://www.nurmessummermusic.fi/en Nurmes Summer Music], which takes place in the beginning of July.

Finnish composer [[P. J. Hannikainen]] was from Nurmes. A local theatre, street and playschool are named after him. He has own monument in Nurmes city centre.

''Nurmes-talo'' is the Nurmes Cultural Center, and features a library, cinema, art gallery and a museum. ''Nurmes-talo'' underwent a renovation in June 2019 and reopened on August 9, 2021. The ''Ikola Museum'', open during summer months, is an outdoor museum showcasing local agricultural heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ikola - Summer Outdoor Museum {{!}} Visit Finland |url=https://www.visitfinland.com/en/product/60756666-d1f3-4f4d-82d1-c6538554a174/ikola-summer-outdoor-museum/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=www.visitfinland.com |language=en}}</ref>

Nurmes is the home town of the main protagonist of the acclaimed 2002 [[Aki Kaurismäki]] film ''Mies vailla menneisyyttä'' (''[[The Man Without a Past]]'').

== Notable people==
* [[Elli Saurio]] (1899–1966), Economist
* [[Mikko Collan]], military officer and politician
* [[P. J. Hannikainen]], composer
* [[Jani Hartikainen]], football player
* [[Juha Holopainen]], skier
* [[Ilkka Laitinen]], military officer and government executive
* [[Pekka Meriläinen]], stonemason and politician
* [[Urho Peltonen]], javelin thrower
* [[Olli Soikkeli]], jazz guitarist

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

===Twin towns — Sister cities===
Nurmes is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Laholm]], Sweden
* {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Møn]], Denmark
* {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Ørsta Municipality|Ørsta]], Norway
* {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Volda Municipality|Volda]], Norway
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Segezha]], Russia

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Nurmes}}
*{{Official website|https://www.nurmes.fi/}}

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Nurmes
 | NW = [[Sotkamo]] ([[Kainuu]])
 | NE = [[Kuhmo]] ([[Kainuu]])
 | E  = [[Lieksa]]
 | S  = [[Juuka]]
 | W  = [[Rautavaara]] ([[North Savo]])
}}
{{NorthKarelia}}
{{Portal bar|Finland}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Nurmes| ]]
[[Category:Populated lakeshore places in Finland]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Finland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1810]]