Pargas

Pargas (pronounced [?]), or Parainen ([ˈpɑrɑinen]) in Finnish, is a city in south-western Finland. It is known as the "capital" of the archipelago of Turku and has been a city since 1977.

It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Finland Proper region. The city has a population of 12,153 (as of 2006) and covers an area of 272.79 km² (excluding sea) of which 1.19 km² is inland water. The population density is 44.27 inhabitants per km².

The municipality is bilingual, with the majority (54%) being Swedish and the minority (45%) Finnish speakers.

It is the only city in Mainland Finland that is situated on an island.

The city has many little suburbs around it, including Kirjala and Lielax.

Image:Airisto, Parainen, Finland-a.jpg

[edit] Sister cities

The sister cities of Pargas are

Image:Flag of Sweden.svg Haninge, Sweden
Image:Flag of Norway.svg Ulstein, Norway
Image:Flag of Russia.svg Chudovo, Russia
Image:Flag of Estonia.svg Kärdla, Estonia

[edit] External links

Official website - in Swedish and Finnish

	Municipalities of Finland Proper	Image:Varsinais-Suomen.vaakuna.svg
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