Facts and fiction about Oulu

Oulu is the biggest city in northern Finland with over 200 000 inhabitants?

• true

• false

In 1860s with less than 7000 inhabitants Oulu was the biggest tar exporting town in the world. Tar was taken to UK, Spain, France, the Netherlands and USA.

• true

• false

Which of these statements are true facts? Which are fiction? Tick the ones that are true.

• The first mobile phone call (NMT technology) was made in Oulu.

• Nokia mobile phones were invented in Oulu.

• Oura smart ring has been invented in Oulu.

• Air guitar world championships take place in Oulu every autumn.

• Business people do pitching in an ice hole every winter to get money for their start-up companies.

About 5300 years ago Oulu was under the sea and at that time the climate in this part of the world was like in Paris nowadays.

• True

• False

The name Oulu means 'high water', 'flood'. Oulu also has a Swedish name because it was founded in 1605 when Finland belonged to Sweden. The Swedish name Uleåborg means...

• Delta fortress

• Salmon stone

• River castle

• Castle fight

When is the best time to come to visit Oulu?

• In winter

• In spring

• In summer

• In autumn

There is an island on the coast of Oulu. It is its own municipality with about 1000 inhabitants. The land area is as big as our capital city Helsinki. The ferry ride is free of charge (it is paid from taxes). But in winter you can drive to the island on the ice.

• True

• False

In Oulu we have the nature in the city and reachable on foot and by bike, too. This picture is a nature reserve place where you can walk a 1- or 10-kilometer nature path and pick lingonberries and cranberries. Can you go anywhere in the forest to pick berries and mushroom in Finland? Also in private forests?

• Yes, of course.

• Absolute not, if you have not asked for permission.

Which of these are true?

• 1/3 of the inhabitants of Oulu have a degree of higher education.

• 38 is the average age of an Ouluer.

• Half of the inhabitants (ca. 100 000) go to some kind of school/study full time.

• 120 nationalities live in Oulu.

What is this man doing and what it that thing?

• It is a big mirrow and he is looking at himself and his hair.

• It is an online shopping delivery point for small grocery shopping and he is picking up his order he made the same morning. This was done this summer for COVID-19 and can be used by elderly people.

• He is checking out some information about the city. It is a large table-kind-of screen where you can find e.g. bus schedules, a map, shops etc.

• It is a piece of street art. I have no idea what he is looking at.