The municipality of Karstula was founded in 1867. The municipality has an area of approx. 963 km2, 74 km2 of which is covered with water. Karstula is located in the beautiful province of Central Finland, known as 'the source of creative madness'. The neighbouring municipalities are Kyyjärvi, Kivijärvi, Kannonkoski, Pylkönmäki, Soini, and the town of Saarijärvi. "The most positive place in Finland". Karstula is an ideal place to visit along Highway 13. (see www.karstula.fi).
Karstula is known for its positive attitude. This is a certain way of approaching life and is a feeling that all inhabitants of the municipality willingly share with all visitors. The business structure of Karstula is as follows: about 25% of the working population are employed in industry, 50% in service trades, and 25% in agriculture and forestry. About half of the people live in the centre of the municipality.
The municipality is home to the Laaksola junior high school, a senior high school, the Tolppila primary school, and four village schools for 1st to 6th graders: the Rantakylä, Vastinki, Kangasaho, and Syrjämäki village schools. As far as further education is concerned, opportunities are provided by the Karstula evangelical folk high school and Adult Education Centre. In addition, Karstula Community College (KKO) offers various courses (such as dance, handicraft, genealogy and first aid courses) that are very popular.
Karstula's coat of arms was designed by artist Ahti Hammar in 1953. It features a silvery, slightly anchor shaped cross, in the centre of which there is a keyhole. It is a reference to Karstula's position as 'the gate of Ostrobothnia'. The traditional route to Ostrobothnia, which is still used today, goes via Karstula.
So-called "creative madness" is second nature to all inhabitants of Karstula, and a positive outlook is one of the trademarks of the municipality. Indeed, the people of Karstula call their municipality "the most positive place in Finland". That is not surprising, for the people of the municipality are cheerful and open, and they are not afraid to realise ideas that some people might consider impossible: In Karstula you can find:
Further information on these events is available from the following Internet sites:
www.luonnonvoimaa.net, www.lomasuomi.fi and www.karstula.fi
Historical Graves * Karstula Museum of Local History and Culture * Kruukkila House * civil guard house of Karstula * memorial of the war veterans * The Fieandt's Stones * the Fieandt's Pipe * the church of Karstula * the tsasouna of Karstula * the main library of Karstula * town hall Himmeli * Kilpisuo Nature Reserve * the bird watching tower of Iso-Korppinen * the primeval forest of Verhonkangas, a national forest * the area of Aittosuo-Leppäsuo-Uitusharju * Riuttasalmi Bridge * Honkarakenne * Ahonen's flower and plant shop * The Karstula's Handicraft Shop * Lomakouhero * holiday farm Lehtomäki * camping and caravan area Iso Mies * the world's biggest pole swing
For further information about the attractions and places to visit, see the municipality's Web site at