South Savo

South Savo (or Southern Savonia; Etelä-Savo; Södra Savolax) is a region in the south-east of Finland. It borders the regions of North Savo, North Karelia, South Karelia, Kymenlaakso, Päijät-Häme, and Central Finland. The total area of South Savo is 18,768.33 km2 (7,246.5 sq mi), with a population of 153,738 (2011). South Savo is located in the heart of the Finnish lake district, and contains Lake Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland. The three major towns in the region are Mikkeli, Savonlinna and Pieksämäki.

Historical provinces
For history, geography and culture see: Savonia

History
South Savo was the main part of the old Mikkeli Province, established in 1831. Some municipalities were transferred from the county to Central Finland Province, which was established in 1960. Mikkeli Province was abolished in the province reform of 1997, when Regions were established. The province of South Savo belonged to the Eastern Finland Province. In 2002, Kangaslampi moved from the province of South Savo to the province of North Savo. Suomenniemi became part of Etelä-Savo in 2013 when it merged with Ristiina to form the city of Mikkeli. At the beginning of 2021, Joroinen moved to the province of North Savo and Heinävesi to the province of North Karelia as a result of provincial and social and health care reforms.

Municipalities
The region of South Savo consists of 12 municipalities, three of which have city status (marked in bold).

Sub-regions
Mikkeli sub-region
 * Hirvensalmi.vaakuna.svg Hirvensalmi
 * Kangasniemi.vaakuna.svg Kangasniemi
 * Mikkeli.vaakuna.svg Mikkeli (S:t Michel)
 * Mäntyharju.vaakuna.svg Mäntyharju
 * Pertunmaa.vaakuna.svg Pertunmaa
 * Puumala.vaakuna.svg Puumala

Pieksämäki sub-region Savonlinna sub-region
 * Juva.vaakuna.svg Juva
 * Pieksämäki.vaakuna.svg Pieksämäki
 * Enonkoski.vaakuna.svg Enonkoski
 * Rantasalmi.vaakuna.svg Rantasalmi
 * Savonlinna.vaakuna.svg Savonlinna (Nyslott)
 * Sulkava.vaakuna.svg Sulkava

Politics
Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in South Savo:


 * Centre Party 23.47%
 * Social Democratic Party 21.41%
 * National Coalition Party 18.39%
 * Finns Party 16.55%
 * Green League 9.47%
 * Christian Democrats 4.46%
 * Left Alliance 2.95%
 * Movement Now  1.42%
 * Blue Reform  0.85%
 * Seven Star Movement  0.40%
 * Other parties  0.63%

Cuisine
The best known local cuisine is fried vendace, often served with potato puree, and a semicircle-shaped pastry called lörtsy.