AREA
There are 56000 inhabitants living in the Leader-area, and a total of 121 000 inhabitants live in the whole area. The area is 2253 km2 large. The density is 25/km2.
The Karhuseutu-region is located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, or to be more precise, on the eastern coast of the Bothnian Sea. The foundation of the coast line of the Bothnian Sea is bedrock that was shaped by ice sheets. It is covered by sedimentary rock of different ages. Post-glacial rebound is typical for the Bothnian Sea –region. This means the rise of the land that was depressed under ice sheets during the last ice age.
The ground rises approximately 60cm in a one hundred year period. New areas are born constantly. The scenery changes during a generation. Post-glacial elevation can be best observed in the changes of the waterside vegetation. The whole area is low-lying and fairly flat. In some places long cliff ridges slice the landscape in a northwest-southeast direction. Almost all the peninsulas that push into the sea follow the same direction.
The shapes of the surface of the land have been shaped by ice sheets, and there are not many gravel and sand ridges in the region. In some places on the coast sand has piled up, creating gently sloped hills of sand, or dunes (as in the case of the renowned Yyteri beach). The most common soil type of the low-lying plains and the river banks is clay. The layers of clay that have developed can be up to 50 metres thick. The Kokemäenjoki River runs through the Karhuseutu region, and empties into the Baltic Sea. A beautiful delta is shaped where the Baltic Sea meets the river. The delta’s fauna and birdlife is one of the richest in the Nordic countries. The most notable fish of the Kokemäenjoki River are salmon, sea trout, and rainbow trout. A particularity that can be found in this river is the lamprey.
Along with the post-glacial rebound, several cities emerged on the shores of the river. Many of the cities were originally built on the coast. However the post-glacial rebound has caused the coast-line to move, making it necessary to found a new city by the sea to fulfil the need for a seaport.
Even though the area was formerly seafloor, and has numerous lakes, rivers, swamps and wetlands, the majority of the Karhuseutu region is covered by forest. Wood and sawmill products have been important export products in the past. The woodworking industry built around these products is still very important.
One can enjoy the diverse nature of the region on the waters by boating, sailing or paddling. A hiking trail traverses the region, twisting and turning by the rivers, lakes, forests and seas.
