Partner cities
Oulu actively manages relationships with its partner cities, launches cooperation projects with them for common benefits and exchanges information. Oulu also carries out development cooperation with cities through NGOs.
Luleå, Sweden
The city of Luleå is located in northern Sweden in the Norrbotten County. It has a population of nearly 80 000. Luleå was an important commercial port in the Middle Ages and became a city in 1621. The traditional steel industry city is now oriented towards IT, research and education. The Luleå University of Technology is located in the city.
Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. The population of the wider Glasgow City Region is approximately 1,8 million. Glasgow received town privileges in 1178. The University of Glasgow is one of the most prestigious in the UK and was founded in 1451. The city has a versatile and growing economy: it is a mixture of new knowledge-based and traditional industry. Glasgow is economically the most important city in Scotland.
Karlsruhe, Germany
Karlsruhe is a city in southwest Germany, near the French border. Located along Rhine, the city has a population of over 300 000 and was founded in 1715. The University of Karlsruhe, now Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, is the oldest university of technology in Germany. The city has the largest oil refinery in Germany and a large number of high technology companies. Germany's Federal Court of Justice is located in Karlsruhe.
Sendai, Japan
Sendai is a city located on Japan's largest island Honshu with a population of over one million. Sendai was founded by feudal lord Date Masamune in 1600. The majority of the population in this economically significant city works in the sales and service industries. The most prestigious university of Sendai is the Tohoku University. Japan's largest Tanabata festival is held in the city annually with approximately two million visitors. Sendai - Finland Wellbeing Center, founded in 2005, is located in Sendai and Oulu has also actively participated in its activities.
Vienne Region, France
The Vienne Region is home to 400 000 residents and its most important cities are Poitiers, Châtellerault and Loudun. The Vienne Region was born in 1790, when three provinces were merged into one area. The most important university of the area is the University of Poitiers, which was founded in 1431. The area is also the birthplace of the Euro'Futuroscope network.
Umeå, Sweden
The Vienne Region is home to 400 000 residents and its most important cities are Poitiers, Châtellerault and Loudun. The Vienne Region was born in 1790, when three provinces were merged into one area. The most important university of the area is the University of Poitiers, which was founded in 1431. The area is also the birthplace of the Euro'Futuroscope network.
Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Matagalpa is a city with a population of over 100 000 in the highlands of Central Nicaragua. Matagalpa received town privileges in 1862, and the city’s principal industries have been cattle breeding and coffee growing. Poverty is a problem for the city, it causes urban decay and weakens the state of children. The city of Oulu partnered with the city of Matagalpa in 1986. Partnership activities are mainly handled via the Oulu-Matagalpa Friendship Association.
Ilembula, Tanzania
The town of Ilembula is located in Southern Tanzania and its population makes their living primarily by farming. Much like the country of Tanzania, the town of Ilembula suffers from poverty. Malaria and AIDS are the largest health issues in the town. Newborn mortality is also very high. The city of Oulu and the Ilembulan ystävät ry. have assisted the Hospital of Ilembula since 1990.
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