View source for Provinces of Finland

{{Short description|Former administrative division of Finland}}
{{Distinguish|regions of Finland|historical provinces of Finland| Regional State Administrative Agency}}
{{more footnotes|date=December 2013}}

{{Politics of Finland}}

Between 1634 and 2009, [[Finland]] was administered as several '''provinces''', or '''counties'''<ref>{{Cite book
 | last1 = Häkli
 | first1 = Jouni
 | last2 = Paasi
 | first2 = Anssi
 | chapter = Geography, space and identity
 | title = Voices from the North
 | publisher = Routledge
 | year = 2018
 | pages = 141–155
}}</ref> ({{langx|fi|Suomen läänit}}, {{langx|sv|Finlands [[län]]}}). Finland had always been a [[unitary state]]: the provincial authorities were part of the central government's executive branch and apart from [[Åland]], the provinces had little autonomy. There were never any elected provincial parliaments in continental Finland. The system was initially created by the [[Instrument of Government (1634)|Instrument of Government of 1634]] when Finland was a [[Finland as part of Sweden|part of Sweden]]. Its makeup was changed drastically on 1 September 1997,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heili.fi/uutiset/item/7705-kun-ita-suomen-laani-syntyi|title=Kun Itä-Suomen lääni syntyi|work=Karjalan Heili|date=19 August 2020|access-date=31 August 2022}}</ref> when the number of the provinces was reduced from twelve to six. This effectively made them purely administrative units, as linguistic and cultural boundaries no longer followed the borders of the provinces. The provinces were eventually abolished at the end of 2009. Consequently, different ministries may subdivide their areal organization differently. Besides the former provinces, the [[municipalities of Finland]] form the fundamental subdivisions of the country. In current use are the [[regions of Finland]], a smaller subdivision where some pre-1997 {{Lang|fi|lääni}}s are split into multiple regions. [[Åland]] retains its special autonomous status and [[Parliament of Åland|its own regional parliament]].

== Duties ==
Each province was led by a governor ({{langx|fi|maaherra|links=no}}, {{langx|sv|landshövding|links=no}}) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the cabinet. The governor was the head of the State Provincial Office ({{langx|fi|lääninhallitus|links=no}}, {{langx|sv|länsstyrelse|links=no}}), which acted as the joint regional authority for seven ministries in the following domains:

*social services and health care
*education and culture
*police administration
*rescue services
*traffic administration
*competition and consumer affairs
*judicial administration

The official administrative subentities under the Provincial Office authorities were the Registry Offices ({{langx|fi|maistraatti|links=no}}, {{langx|sv|magistrat|links=no}}).  Formerly there was also a division to state local districts ({{langx|fi|kihlakunta|links=no}}, {{langx|sv|härad|links=no}}), which were districts for police, prosecution, and bailiff services, but there was reorganization such that 24 police districts were founded. These usually encompass multiple municipalities.

Provinces governed only state offices, such as the police. Most services, such as healthcare and maintenance of local streets, were and remain today the responsibility of [[municipalities of Finland]]. Many municipalities are too small for a hospital and some other services, so they cooperate in municipality groups, e.g. health care districts, using borders that vary depending on the type of service. Often Swedish-language municipalities cooperate even if they do not share a border.

== List of all provinces that ever existed ==

In 1634, administratives provinces were formed in Sweden, and therefore in Finland, which was a part of Sweden until 1809. Five of the provinces covered what is now Finland; some of these also covered parts of what are now Russia. The exact division of the country into provinces has fluctuated over time.

The boundaries of the old provinces partly survive in telephone area codes and electoral districts. The exception is Helsinki: there is a telephone numbering area that comprises Greater Helsinki (code 09), while only the city of Helsinki proper comprises the electoral district of Helsinki, the rest of Greater Helsinki belonging to the Uusimaa electoral district.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- valign=top
! English name
! Finnish name
! Swedish name
! Residence city
! Dates of existence
! Notes
|-
| [[Province of Turku and Pori]] || Turun ja Porin lääni || Åbo och Björneborgs län || [[Turku]] || 1634&ndash;1997 || • one of the original provinces formed in 1634, though parts were split off since then<br>• merged into the Province of Western Finland
|-
| [[County of Nyland and Tavastehus|Province of Nyland and Tavastehus]] || Uudenmaan ja Hämeen lääni || Nylands och Tavastehus län || [[Helsinki]]/[[Hämeenlinna]] || 1634&ndash;1831 || • one of the original provinces formed in 1634
|-
| [[County of Ostrobothnia|Province of Ostrobothnia]] || Pohjanmaan lääni || Österbottens län || [[Oulu]]/[[Vaasa]] || 1634&ndash;1775 || • one of the original provinces formed in 1634
|-
| [[County of Viborg and Nyslott|Province of Viborg and Nyslott]] || Viipurin ja Savonlinnan lääni || Viborgs och Nyslotts län ||	[[Vyborg]] || 1634&ndash;1721 || • one of the original provinces formed in 1634
|-
| [[County of Kexholm|Province of Kexholm]] || Käkisalmen lääni || Kexholms län ||[[Kexholm]] || 1634&ndash;1721 || • one of the original provinces formed in 1634
|-
| [[County of Kymmenegård and Nyslott|Province of Kymmenegård and Nyslott]] || Savonlinnan ja Kymenkartanon lääni || Kymmenegårds och Nyslotts län ||	[[Lappeenranta]] || 1721&ndash;1747 || • former Province of Viborg and Nyslott
|-
| [[County of Savolax and Kymmenegård|Province of Savolax and Kymmenegård]] || Kymenkartanon ja Savon lääni || Savolax och Kymmenegårds län || [[Loviisa]] || 1747&ndash;1775 || • former Province of Kymmenegård and Nyslott
|-
| [[Province of Vaasa]] || Vaasan lääni || Vasa län || [[Vaasa]] || 1775&ndash;1997 || • split off from the Province of Ostrobothnia<br>• merged into the Province of Western Finland
|-
| [[Province of Oulu]] || Oulun lääni || Uleåborgs län || [[Oulu]] || 1775&ndash;2009 || • split off from the Province of Ostrobothnia
|-
| [[County of Kymmenegård|Province of Kymmenegård]] || Kymenkartanon lääni || Kymmenegårds län || [[Heinola]]	|| 1775&ndash;1831 || • split off from the Province of Savolax and Kymmenegård
|-
| [[County of Savolax and Karelia|Province of Savolax and Karelia]] || Savon ja Karjalan lääni || Savolax och Karelens län ||	[[Kuopio]] || 1775&ndash;1831 || • split off from the Province of Savolax and Kymmenegård
|-
| [[Province of Viipuri]] || Viipurin lääni || Viborgs län || [[Vyborg]] || 1812&ndash;1947 || • Russian Vyborg Governorate 1744-1812; transferred as Province of Viipuri to autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland in 1812<br>• most of its area was lost to the Soviet Union in [[World War II]], and the remainder became the Province of Kymi
|-
| [[Province of Uusimaa]] || Uudenmaan lääni || Nylands län || [[Helsinki]] || 1831&ndash;1997 || • produced by splitting the Province of Nyland and Tavastehus<br>• merged into the Province of Southern Finland
|-
| [[Province of Häme]] || Hämeen lääni || Tavastehus län ||	[[Hämeenlinna]]	|| 1831&ndash;1997 || • produced by splitting the Province of Nyland and Tavastehus<br>• merged into the Provinces of Southern Finland and Western Finland
|-
| [[Province of Mikkeli]] || Mikkelin lääni || St. Michels län || [[Mikkeli]] || 1831&ndash;1997 || • former Province of Kymmenegård<br>• merged into the Provinces of Eastern Finland and Southern Finland
|-
| [[Province of Kuopio]] || Kuopion lääni || Kuopio län || [[Kuopio]] || 1831&ndash;1997 || • former Province of Savolax and Karelia<br>• merged into the Province of Eastern Finland
|-
| [[Åland (former province of Finland)|Province of Åland]] || Ahvenanmaan lääni || Ålands län || [[Mariehamn]] || 1918&ndash;2009 || • had a special status: even though the province was discontinued at the end of 2009 along with the others, there was (and still is) a coextensive "maakunta" (a translation of "province" with a slightly different meaning from the usual) that is semi-autonomous and demilitarized by international treaties
|-
| [[Petsamo Province|Province of Petsamo]] || Petsamon lääni || Petsamo län || [[Pechenga (urban-type settlement), Murmansk Oblast|Pechenga]]	|| 1921&ndash;1921 || • gained from Soviet Russia<br>• merged into the Province of Oulu<br>• the entire area of the former Province of Pechenga was lost to the Soviet Union in [[World War II]]
|-
| [[Lapland (former province of Finland)|Province of Lapland]] || Lapin lääni || Lapplands län || [[Rovaniemi]] || 1938&ndash;2009 || • split off from the Province of Oulu
|-
| [[Province of Kymi]] || Kymen lääni || Kymmene län || [[Kouvola]] || 1945&ndash;1997 || • formed from the part of the Province of Viipuri that remained on the Finnish side of the border with Russia<br>• merged into the Province of Southern Finland
|-
| [[Province of Central Finland]] || Keski-Suomen lääni || Mellersta Finlands län || [[Jyväskylä]] || 1960&ndash;1997 || • split off from the Provinces of Vaasa, Häme, Mikkeli and Kuopio<br>• merged into the Province of Western Finland
|-
| [[Province of Northern Karelia]] || Pohjois-Karjalan lääni || Norra Karelens län || [[Joensuu]] || 1960&ndash;1997 || • split off from the Province of Kuopio<br>• merged into the Province of Eastern Finland
|-
| [[Province of Southern Finland]] || Etelä-Suomen lääni || Södra Finlands län || [[Hämeenlinna]] || 1997&ndash;2009 || • merged from Provinces of Uusimaa, Kymi, Häme (part) and Mikkeli (part)
|-
| [[Province of Western Finland]] || Länsi-Suomen lääni || Västra Finlands län || [[Turku]]	|| 1997&ndash;2009 || • merged from Provinces of Turku and Pori, Vaasa, Central Finland and Häme (part)
|-
| [[Province of Eastern Finland]] || Itä-Suomen lääni || Östra Finlands län || [[Mikkeli]] || 1997&ndash;2009 || • merged from Provinces of Kuopio, Northern Karelia and Michelle
|-
|}

== Geographical evolution of Finnish provincial administration 1634-2009==

=== Finland under Swedish rule ===

<gallery mode = packed heights = 223 px style = text-align:left;font-size:85%>
file: Provinces of Finland 1634 - 1640, 1650 - 1721.svg|1634-1640<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Ostrobothnia<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Karelia<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Käkisalmi
file: Provinces of Finland 1640 - 1641.svg|1640-1641<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Ostrobothnia<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Karelia<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Käkisalmi<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Tavastia
file: Provinces of Finland 1641 - 1642.svg|1641-1642<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Ostrobothnia<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Käkisalmi<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Savonlinna<br>'''8'''&nbsp;Pori
file: Provinces of Finland 1642 - 1646.svg|1642-1646<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Käkisalmi<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Savonlinna<br>'''8'''&nbsp;Pori<br>'''9'''&nbsp;Vaasa
file: Provinces of Finland 1647 - 1648.svg|1647-1648<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Käkisalmi<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Savonlinna<br>'''8'''&nbsp;Vaasa
file: Provinces of Finland 1648 - 1650.svg|1648-1650<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Ostrobothnia<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Käkisalmi<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Savonlinna
file: Provinces of Finland 1634 - 1640, 1650 - 1721.svg|1650-1721<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Ostrobothnia<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Viipuri and Savonlinna<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Käkisalmi
file: Provinces of Finland 1721 - 1743.svg|1721-1743<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Ostrobothnia<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Savonlinna and<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kymenkartano
file: Provinces of Finland 1743 - 1747.svg|1743-1747<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Ostrobothnia<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Savonlinna and<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kymenkartano
file: Provinces of Finland 1747 - 1776.svg|1747-1776<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Ostrobothnia<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Kymenkartano and<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Savonia
file: Provinces of Finland 1776 - 1809.svg|1776-1809<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Kymenkartano<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Savonia and Karelia
</gallery>

=== Grand Duchy of Finland ===

<gallery mode = packed heights = 223 px style = text-align:left;font-size:85%>
file: Provinces of Finland 1809 - 1812.svg|1809-1812<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Kymenkartano<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Savonia and Karelia
file: Provinces of Finland 1812 - 1831.svg|1812-1831<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa and Tavastia<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Kymenkartano<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Savonia and Karelia<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri
file: Provinces of Finland 1831 - 1833.svg|1831-1833<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia
file: Provinces of Finland 1833 - 1918.svg|1833-1917<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia
</gallery>

=== Independent Finland ===

<gallery mode = packed heights = 218 px style = text-align:left;font-size:85%>
file: Provinces of Finland 1833 - 1918.svg|1917-1918<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia
file: Provinces of Finland 1918 - 1920, 1921.svg|1918-1920/1921<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>'''9'''&nbsp;Åland
file: Provinces of Finland 1921.svg|1921<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''9'''&nbsp;Åland<br>'''10'''&nbsp;Petsamo
file: Provinces of Finland 1922 - 1938.svg|1922-1938<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>'''9'''&nbsp;Åland
file: Provinces of Finland 1938 - 1940.svg|1938-1940; 1941–1944<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''9'''&nbsp;Åland<br>'''10'''&nbsp;Lapland
file: Provinces of Finland 1940 - 1944.svg|1940-1941<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''9'''&nbsp;Åland<br>'''10'''&nbsp;Lapland
file: Provinces of Finland 1944 - 1945.svg|1944-1945<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''7'''&nbsp;Viipuri<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''9'''&nbsp;Åland<br>'''10'''&nbsp;Lapland
file: Provinces of Finland 1945 - 1947.svg|1945-1947<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''7'''&nbsp;Kymi<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''9'''&nbsp;Åland<br>'''10'''&nbsp;Lapland
file: Provinces of Finland 1947 - 1960.svg|1947-1960<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''7'''&nbsp;Kymi<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''9'''&nbsp;Åland<br>'''10'''&nbsp;Lapland
file: Provinces of Finland 1960 - 1997.svg|1960-1997<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''1'''&nbsp;Turku and Pori<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''2'''&nbsp;Uusimaa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''4'''&nbsp;Mikkeli<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''5'''&nbsp;Vaasa<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''6'''&nbsp;Kuopio<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''7'''&nbsp;Kymi<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''8'''&nbsp;Tavastia<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;'''9'''&nbsp;Åland<br>'''10'''&nbsp;Lapland<br>'''11'''&nbsp;Central Finland<br>'''12'''&nbsp;Northern Karelia
file: Provinces of Finland 1997 - 2009.svg|1997-2009<br>'''1'''&nbsp;Western Finland<br>'''2'''&nbsp;Southern Finland<br>'''3'''&nbsp;Oulu<br>'''4'''&nbsp;Eastern Finland<br>'''5'''&nbsp;Åland<br>'''6'''&nbsp;Lapland
</gallery>

== Provinces of Finland at abolition ==

{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor=efefef
!No.||Coats of arms||Provinces||Finnish and<br>Swedish names||Residence city||Largest city||Population (2003)||Area (km<sup>2</sup>)||Merged Provinces (1997)||Map
|- valign=center
|align=center|'''1'''||[[File:Länsi-Suomen läänin vaakuna.svg|30px|center]]||[[Western Finland]]||Länsi-Suomen lääni<br>Västra Finlands län
|[[Turku]]<br>Åbo||[[Tampere]]||align=right|1,848,269||align=right|74,185||[[Province of Vaasa|Vaasa]], [[Province of Turku and Pori|Turku and Pori]], [[Province of Central Finland|Central Finland]], [[Province of Häme|Tavastia]]
| rowspan="6" | [[File:Provinces of Finland 1997 - 2009.svg|220px]]
|- valign=center
|align=center|'''2'''||[[File:Etelä-Suomen läänin vaakuna.svg|30px|center]]||[[Southern Finland]]||Etelä-Suomen lääni<br>Södra Finlands län
|[[Hämeenlinna]]<br>Tavastehus||[[Helsinki]]||align=right|2,116,914||align=right|34,378||[[Province of Uusimaa|Uusimaa]], [[Province of Kymi|Kymi]], [[Province of Häme|Tavastia]]
|- valign=center
|align=center|'''3'''||[[File:Oulun läänin vaakuna.svg|30px|center]]||[[Oulu Province|Oulu]]||Oulun lääni<br>Uleåborgs län
|[[Oulu]]<br>Uleåborg||Oulu||align=right|458,504||align=right|57,000||''No changes''
|- valign=center
|align=center|'''4'''||[[File:Itä-Suomen läänin vaakuna.svg|30px|center]]||[[Eastern Finland]]||Itä-Suomen lääni<br>Östra Finlands län
|[[Mikkeli]]<br>S:t&nbsp;Michel||[[Kuopio]]||align=right|582,781||align=right|48,726||[[Province of Kuopio|Kuopio]], [[Province of Northern Karelia|Northern Karelia]], [[Province of Mikkeli|Mikkeli]]
|- valign=center
|align=center|'''5'''||[[File:Coat of arms of Åland.svg|30px|center]]||[[Åland (former province of Finland)|Åland]]{{Ref label|aaa|a}}||Ahvenanmaan lääni<br>Ålands län{{Ref label|bbb|b}}
|[[Mariehamn]]{{Ref label|bbb|b}}<br>Maarianhamina||Mariehamn||align=right|26,000||align=right|6,784||''No changes''
|- valign=center
|align=center|'''6'''||[[File:Lapin läänin vaakuna.svg|30px|center]]||[[Lapland (former province of Finland)|Lapland]]||Lapin lääni<br>Lapplands län
|[[Rovaniemi]]<br>Rovaniemi||Rovaniemi||align=right|186,917||align=right|98,946||''No changes''
|}

<small>a. {{note|aaa}} Some duties, which in [[Mainland Finland]] are handled by the provinces, are on the Åland Islands transferred to the autonomous [[Government of Åland]].<br>b. {{note|bbb}} The Åland Islands are unilingually Swedish.</small>

==After abolition==
The provinces were abolished altogether effective 1 January 2010. Since then, the regional administration of the Finnish state has two parallel top-level organs in the hierarchy: the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment on the one hand, and the [[Regional State Administrative Agencies]] on the other.

Six Regional State Administrative Agencies (''aluehallintovirasto, regionförvaltningsverk'', abbr. ''avi'') &ndash; in addition to the [[State Department of Åland]] &ndash; are primarily responsible for law enforcement. Among these, [[South-Western Finland Regional State Administrative Agency|South-Western Finland]] and [[Western and Central Finland Regional State Administrative Agency|Western and Central Finland]] cover [[Western Finland|the former province of Western Finland]], and [[Oulu Province|the former province of Oulu]] was revamped as Northern Finland; other old provincial boundaries remain much the same in the new disposition.

In parallel, there are 15 Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (Finnish: ''elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskus'', usually abbreviated ''ely-keskus''), which are responsible for other state administration: employment, road and transport infrastructure, and [[environmental monitoring]]. They are each responsible for one or more of [[regions of Finland]], and include offices of the Ministries of [[Ministry of Employment and the Economy|Employment and the Economy]], [[Ministry of Transport and Communications (Finland)|Transport and Communications]] and Environment.

== See also ==
*[[Historical provinces of Finland]]
*[[ISO 3166-2:FI]]
*[[NUTS statistical regions of Finland]]
*[[Provincial Governors of Finland]]
*[[Regions of Finland]]
*[[Subdivisions of the Nordic countries]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.laaninhallitus.fi/lh/home.nsf/pages/indexeng State Provincial Offices]{{spaced ndash}}Official site

{{Finland topics}}
{{Provinces of Finland}}
{{Terms for types of country subdivisions}}

[[Category:Former provinces of Finland| ]]
[[Category:Lists of subdivisions of Finland]]
[[Category:Lists of populated places in Finland]]
[[Category:2010 disestablishments in Finland]]
[[Category:Former provinces of Sweden]]