Lohja (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈlohjɑ]; Swedish: Lojo) is a city and municipality in the Uusimaaregion of Finland. The city has a population of 47,518 (2017),[2] and it covers an area of 1,109.73 square kilometres (428.47 sq mi) of which 91.78 km2 (35.44 sq mi), or 8.3 percent, is water.[1] The population density of Lohja is 131.64 inhabitants per square kilometre (340.9/sq mi). The municipality is bilingual, with the majority being Finnish and minority Swedish speakers.[3] Lohja has the fourth-most summer houses of any municipality in Finland, with 8,468 located within the city as of June 2018.[6] Lohja is located near Greater Helsinki, and it benefits from a good road network. It takes less than an hour to drive from Helsinki to Lohja on the E18 motorway, which is one of the most significant main road connections in Lohja next to Hangonväylä.
City's bilingual slogan is: Järvikaupunki - Insjöstaden which translates to "Lake city".[7]
The landscape of Lohja is characterized by manors and gardens. Its area is divided by the Lohja ridge, which forms a watershed for the largest lake system in Uusimaa, Lake Lohja (Lohjanjärvi); mostly that's why Lohja is also referred to as "Lake City" (järvikaupunki).[8] The medieval Church of St. Lawrence is the architectural highlight of downtown Lohja, which also includes a heterogeneous mix of buildings mostly dating from the 1960s onwards. The Lohja library, which was opened in 2005, is a distinctly modern building placed in the very centre of the city.[citation needed]
Lohja has been a focal point for the population and economy of western Uusimaa since the early 14th century. It was renowned as a trading centre in the Middle Ages.[citation needed] The local inhabitants were among the pioneers of the Finnish mining and construction material industries. Lohja has long-established traditions in horticulture and especially in market gardening. These traditions are represented by the symbols of present-day Lohja: limestone and an apple.[citation needed]
Mika Sivula is the city manager of Lohja. The city manager oversees the city committee.[9] In addition to the city committee, Lohja has a 51-seat municipal council. The parties represented in the council as well as their seat counts are listed below.
Lohja is famed for its cultural events. More than a hundred different events are arranged in the city each year by its residents and organizations.[citation needed] The most notable are the Lohja Summer Cultural Festival, the Apple Carnival organized by representatives of business and commerce, the retailers' Hurlumhei Carnival and the Old Time Christmas market continue the tradition of fairs dating back to the Middle Ages.
The Doom Metal band Reverend Bizarre hails from Lohja.
Limestone and cement factory in the Virkkala district, in March 2006
One unique experience is the Tytyri limestone mine, which has a museum located 100 metres under ground. This attraction and exhibitions can be reached using either an old mine wagon or a modern lift.[14] Other places of note are:
The municipality of Lohja was consolidated with the city of Lohja in 1997, and the municipality of Sammatti in 2009. The municipalities of Karjalohja and Nummi-Pusula were consolidated with Lohja in 2013.
A significant part of the city of Lohja is not yet part of any district, since after the 1997 municipal association with the former rural municipality of Lohja.
Neighborhoods
The official city districts within the city proper of the municipality of Lohja are:[16][17][18]
Finland
Lohja
