Charles IX ascended to the throne at a very interesting time in European history. His Hapsburg Catholic cousin, who had been on the throne previously, was Catholic. Cahrles IX was a Protestant, ruling a now protestant nation. He also expanded Sweden’s territories, creating new settlements in what today is Finland.
On this day August 8th, in 1605, Charles IX of Sweden founds Oulu, Finland. Oulu is next to a river which enabled it for it to become a bustling trading site. The name “Oulu” may mean “flood water,” for the river next to it.
Oulu was the capital of the Province of Oulu from 1775-2009 in Finland. It has a population of 144,000. For many years Oulu was known for its wood and salmon; however, in recent years it has morphed into a high-tech city with a stellar university. This University of Oulu is ranked as one of the world’s best, with 16,000 students. If you visit Oulu, don’t forget to attend the World Air Guitar Championship!