population: 11.8 million

extension: 2,327.94 square kilometers

Museums

Great! If you're in Kajaani and interested in museums, I highly recommend visiting the Kajaani Art Museum, which features a diverse collection of contemporary and modern art. Additionally, the Kainuu Museum offers exhibits on local history and culture, including displays on traditional Finnish life and Kajaani's role as a center for commerce and industry. If you're looking for similar types of museums nearby, the Raahe Museum and the Siida Museum in Inari are both excellent options that feature exhibits on regional history and culture.

Food

Some popular and typical dishes to eat in Kajaani and Finland are:

1. Karjalanpaisti - A traditional meat stew made with beef or pork, root vegetables, and spices.

2. Lohikeitto - A creamy salmon soup made with fresh salmon, potatoes, onions, and cream.

3. Kalakukko - A regional specialty that is essentially a rye bread filled with fish and pork fat.

4. Poronkäristys - Reindeer meat stewed with onion, butter, and milk.

5. Sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam (called "poro- muusi ja puolukka" in Finnish) - This dish is a classic Finnish cuisine and it's especially popular in Lapland.

6. Riisipuuro - A traditional Finnish rice pudding, typically served with cinnamon and sugar.

7. Mustikkapiirakka - A blueberry pie made with a crust of oatmeal and butter and a sweet filling of fresh blueberries.

These dishes are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike and they are definitely worth trying if you have the chance!

Activities

Certainly! Kajaani and the surrounding areas offer a variety of fun activities that locals enjoy. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Hiking: There are many beautiful trails in the nearby Vuokatti area, including the Iso-Syöte National Park, Hiidenportti National Park, and the famous Bear's Ring Trail.

2. Fishing: Fishing is a popular activity in Kajaani, with opportunities to fish for salmon, trout, pike, and other species in the nearby rivers and lakes.

3. Skiing: Vuokatti offers a number of downhill ski slopes and cross-country skiing trails, as well as snowboarding and other winter sports.

4. Golfing: The Vuokatti area also boasts several excellent golf courses, including the scenic Katinkulta Golf.

5. Relaxing at the spa: Vuokatti has several spas where you can relax and unwind, including the Spa Hotel Katinkulta and the Holiday Club Katinkulta.