The town has a population of 19,368 (31 December 2023)[2] and covers an area of 747.28 km2 (288.53 sq mi) of which 652.1 square kilometers (251.8 sq mi) are water.[1] The population density is 203.06 inhabitants per square kilometre (525.9/sq mi).
During World War II, after Finland signed the Moscow Armistice and found itself involved in the Lapland War against its former German ally, German forces at the beginning of October 1944 captured 132 Finnish civilian hostages in Kemi (as well as 130 in Rovaniemi) and threatened to kill them unless the Finnish army released the German POWs captured in the Battle of Tornio. However, Finland refused to comply and threatened to retaliate by killing the German POWs. The hostages were released unharmed on October 11, 1944, near Rovaniemi.
The climate type of Kemi is a typical subarctic climate (KöppenDfc). It is characterized by long, cold winters and warm, short summers; but because it is on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, the characteristics of its continental climate are not as pronounced as inland areas.
Climate data for Kemi (Kemi-Tornio Airport, 1991-2020 normals, records 1959-present)
^Climatological normals for Finland 1991–2020,[6] Record highs and lows,[7] Precipitation 1961–1990,[8] Precipitation days[9]
Economy
Valtakatu street seen from Kemi City Hall.
The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and woodpulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe (which supplies the Outokumpu ferrochrome plant in Tornio).
The Chinese company Kaidi has announced plans to build the world's first second-generation biomass plant in Kemi, scheduled to begin operations in 2019.[10][11]
In April 2007, the city of Kemi laid off all of its municipal workers for 2 weeks due to the failing economy of the city. Spiraling specialist healthcare costs and a fleeing industry tax base are stated as the cause for the firing.[12] These are the most drastic temporary dismissals to take place in Finland since 2000.
Sights
Kemi SnowCastle
Kemi has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle[13] (reconstructed every year to a different design). The SnowCastle of Kemi is usually built in the inner harbor of the city.
A model of The Crown of Finland (the original was never made for the King of Finland) is kept in the town's gemstone gallery. It also houses replicas of the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain, the scepter of the Czar of Russia, the Orbs of Denmark, and the diamond necklace of Marie Antoinette, among other items.
^Nilsen, Thomas (February 10, 2017). "Chinese company to build giant bio-diesel refinery in Kemi". The Barents Observer. Retrieved April 1, 2017. The Chinese company Kaidi announced the plans on Wednesday. The refinery will be the world's first so-called second generation biomass plant [...] 75 percent of the fuel will be biodiesel and 25 percent biogasoline, the company says. Energy wood will be the main feedstock, but also harvesting remains and leftover bark from Lapland's forest industry will be utilized. The plan is to have commercial production by 2019 and means a huge boost to local employment in the Kemi region with over 150 permanent positions.
^Gudjonsson, Heidar; Nielsson, Egill Thor (March 31, 2017). "China's Belt and Road Enters the Arctic". The Diplomat. Retrieved April 1, 2017. A reported $1.1 billion investment by China's Kaidi into a biodiesel plant in Kemi, Finland is significant.
Finland
