Cities: Kouvola, Finland

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Let me introduce the city where I was born: Kouvola in south eastern Finland. Or strictly speaking, at time of my birth, the place where I was born was still independent city of Kuusankoski, but that changed in 2009, when Kouvola, Kuusankoski, Elimäki, Anjalankoski, Valkeala and Jaala merged and formed the new larger city of Kouvola.

1. Kouvola has traditionally been one of the central junctions of Finnish railway network:

α700 + Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX @ 50 mm, f2.8, 1/40 s, ISO 1600

2. While Kuusankoski was known for its paper industry

α900 + Minolta 24/2.8 @ 24 mm, f9, 1/640 s, ISO 200

3. Although some the older paper mills (pictured below) have been closed, the Kuusanniemi complex (shown in the previous picture) is still running

α700 + Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX @ 18 mm, f11, 1/200 s, ISO 200

4. Further down the Kymi river there is more paper industry, in former Anjalankoski there was papermills at Myllykoski (pictured, now closed) and Inkeroinen (still running):

KM Dynax 7D + Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX @ 18 mm, f13, 1/2000 s, ISO 200

5. Around the border of former municipalities Valkeala and Jaala is Verla, a village formed around former paperboard factory, which is nowadays a museum and UNESCO world heritage site.

KM Dynax 7D + Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX? @ 28 mm, f9.5, 1/200 s, ISO 200

6. And despite that Kouvola is a city, there is quite a lot wilderness left too, for example in Repovesi national park:

KM Dynax 7D + Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX @ 18 mm, f11, 1/500 s, ISO 200


Edited by Hezu - 15 February 2015 at 17:39

Ok, let's add couple more pictures...

6. Kymijoki

α900 + KM 28-75/2.8 @ 60 mm, f11, 1/500 s, ISO 200

7. Jyräänjoki near Paaskoski

α700 + Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX @ 28 mm, f7.1, 1/640 s, ISO 200

8. A view towards Kymintehdas

α900 + Minolta 24/2.8 @ 24 mm, f9, 1/800 s, ISO 200

9. Fog covered Kymijoki (opposite direction from the same place as previous picture)

α900 + KM 28-75/2.8 @ 28 mm, f6.3, 1/59 s, ISO 200

10. Jaalanlahti of Pyhäjärvi

α700 + Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX @ 18 mm, f11, 1/160 s, ISO 200

11. Heavy rain shower hits central Kouvola (taken from the safety of railway station canopy)

α99 + Minolta 24/2.8 @ 24 mm, f6.3, 1/160 s, ISO 100

12. The large fields in Elimäki gather flocks of birds (whooper swans and gulls) on autumns

α700 + Tamron 200-500 @ 500 mm, f7.1, 1/500 s, ISO 200

mikey2000 wrote: Nice set, hezu. 10 looks quite surreal with the light/dark sky.   The first one is very eye catching.   I'm not 100% keen on the nearly central water line. Did you consider cropping off some of the water?

Which picture you are referring to with the last comments? The #1 at least has no liquid water...

Let's add couple new pictures...

13. Arboretum Mustila in Elimäki is known for its Rhododendrons

α7R + CZ 24-70/4 @ 24 mm, f/11, 1/60 s, ISO 250

14. Kouvola Railway- and Bus Station
(And reason why I originally decided to take this picture is the bus on the left since its display has a funny text: "Lounastauko" is lunch break in Finnish. The other bus's display is more boring: "Ei linjalla" = "Not on the route")

α99 + CZ 16-35/2.8 @ 35 mm, f/11, 1/250 s, ISO 100

15. Kymijoki around Kuusankoski

α99 + CZ 16-35/2.8 @ 35 mm, f/16, 1/125 s, ISO 100

Some very nice pictures in this thread. Keep 'em coming!

26. Finnish championships in snow sculpting were held 26.-28.1.2018 at Kuusankoski, Kouvola. Since the weather conditions after the event have been suitable, the snow sculptures have kept their form pretty well.


27. Ekholmintie little before sunset.

City district of Voikkaa (once upon a time, also spelled as Woikka) used to host one of the papermill complexes, but sadly in 2006 it was decided to close the factory, the surroundings still shows some signs of this industrial past...

30. Voikkaa Fire Station, earlier the home of Voikkaa Factory Fire Brigade, nowadays run by Kuusankoski Volunteer Fire Brigade. In September 1st this year, the fire station and its vicinity hosted a sprint orienteering competition organized by sport club Kuusankosken Urheiluseura.


31. Next door is Voikkaan Mestarikerho, originally built as the headquarters of the paper mill company, which later became the club house of the skilled factory staff ("masters' club").


32. Voikkaan Klubi (another former staff club house, this time for those in office/management positions)